Final answer:
The statement is True; both Jesus and Paul emphasized loving one's neighbor as fundamental to Christian teaching, a principle also found in the Old Testament. Despite this, history reflects challenges in fully living out this commandment, with calls for Christians to show love and compassion to all individuals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that Paul and Jesus each taught the love of one's neighbor as the means of fulfilling the Law is True. In the New Testament, Jesus emphasized the importance of loving one's neighbor as oneself. In Matthew 22:39, He explicitly states, “And the second [commandment] is like unto it. Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself.” This teaching is echoed by Paul and is fundamental to Christian ethics.
The principle of loving one's neighbor is not just a New Testament concept but traces back to the Old Testament, specifically in Leviticus 19:18, which commands, “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against your kinsfolk. Love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.” This is further supported by the Jewish teacher Hillel in Talmud, Shabbat 31a, who said, “That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. That is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation; go and learn it.”
Despite this core teaching, history and contemporary society often reflect a struggle to live out this commandment fully. Within the Christian community, there has been criticism for not always showing love equally to all individuals, regardless of race, creed, or social status, as evidenced by various historical and modern critiques. The ethical expectation is that Christians should embody love and compassion in accordance with their faith, striving for equality, peace, and the well-being of all individuals as an expression of God's love.