Neighbor
Neighbor (usually רֵע, rie, elsewhere "friend;" ὁ πλήσιος, one's nearest dweller). This word in its general sense signifies a person near, and one connected with us by the bonds of humanity, and whom charity requires that we should consider as a friend and relation (De 5:20). At the time of our Saviour the Pharisees had restrained the meaning of the word neighbor to those of their own nation or to their own friends, holding that to hate their enemy was not forbidden by the law (Mt 5:43). But our Saviour informed them that the whole world were neighbors; that they ought not to do to another what they would not have done to themselves; and that this charity extended even to enemies. The beautiful parable of the Good Samaritan is set forth to illustrate this principle (Lu 10:29-37). SEE CHARITY.
