From 1971-1974 John Piper attended the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat in Munchen for doctoral work. In choosing a dissertation topic he decided to explore Jesus's command in the Synoptic Gospels to love one's enemies, and its relationship to similar ethical exhortations in the epistles (the Early Christian Paraenesis).

Using a "history of traditions" approach, Piper begins by examining each New Testament reference to Jesus's command in an attempt to place its origin within the broader paraenetic tradition. He investigates the theological significance of Jesus's love command in the paraenesis and finally concludes by focusing on the Gospel tradition's use of the command, particularly in Matthew and Luke.

This repackaged edition features a new, extensive introduction.