If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.

The quote "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same," comes from the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament of the Bible. In these words, Jesus Christ challenges the conventional idea of love and goodness, urging his followers to go beyond the natural tendency to return kindness to those who are kind in return. Instead, He teaches that true virtue lies in loving and doing good even to those who may not reciprocate or who may be difficult to love.

The message here highlights the idea of selfless love and the importance of loving beyond personal gain or the expectation of return. Jesus contrasts the behavior of His followers with that of sinners—a term that, in this context, refers to those who live outside of the moral or religious ideals of the time. Even they can love those who love them, but true righteousness comes from loving without condition, regardless of whether or not the gesture is returned. This teaching emphasizes the radical nature of Christ’s message, calling for a love that is unconditional and not based on mutual benefit.

In a broader sense, this quote touches upon the concept of moral integrity and challenges the common human tendency toward transactional relationships. Jesus is urging His followers to strive for a higher moral standard—one that transcends human expectations and aligns with the love and grace of God. It is about showing kindness, compassion, and goodness even to those who might never show it back, demonstrating a deep and transformative understanding of love that seeks nothing in return.

The quote reflects a central theme in Christianity—that true love and goodness are not about reciprocity but about embodying grace, mercy, and generosity. By doing so, followers of Christ can cultivate a love that mirrors the unconditional love of God, setting them apart from the conventional moral systems based on exchange or retribution.