Who is the neighbor we are commanded
to love? In the Old Testament "neighbor" generally means a fellow Israelite,
including fellow Jews and resident aliens - "someone living nearby." In the New
Testament Jesus expands the meaning of "neighbor" to include others, even those
outside the community. [source: "Neighbor" in the Oxford Companion to the
Bible]. Throughout the ages Christians have interpreted "those outside the
community" in various ways to include the entire cosmos, all living creatures,
all human beings, or, some or all persons with whom one comes into face-to-face
contact. Without a clear-cut New Testament definition of "neighbor," it is up
to the prayerful conscience of each Christian to determine at any given time
the extent of one's neighborhood, that is, the persons to love, with the
personal responsibilities love implies. However "neighbor" is interpreted
biblically, disciples of Christ are called to be no less than compassionate and
just to all human beings.