Member-only story
Essay | Commentary
The Moral Psychological Dynamics of The Golden Rule in Christianity
Differences from The Book of Tobit and The Gospel According to Luke
The Golden Rule, a foundational principle in ethics, finds expression in various formulations across religious and philosophical traditions.
Within Christianity, two notable articulations of this precept appear in the Book of Tobit and the Gospel of Luke. Tobit 4:15 states, “Do that to no man which thou hatest,” while Luke 6:31 enjoins, “And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise” (KJV).
At first glance, these versions may convey the same basic message. However, a closer examination reveals significant differences in moral psychological dynamics and practical implications.
The Contrasting Formulations: Tobit vs. Luke
The Book of Tobit, recognized as canonical by Catholic and Orthodox traditions but apocryphal for Protestants, offers a starkly phrased negative version of the Golden Rule.
Tobit instructs his son, Tobias, “Do that to no man which thou hatest” (Tobit 4:15, KJV). This injunction sets a clear ethical boundary by urging avoidance of actions one finds hateful to oneself…
