Many Bible translations and commentaries propose that the Golden Rule for human conduct is to treat others as one wishes to be treated. Certainly, this is a hugely important rule, and it is given by the Lord (Matt. 7:12; Luke 6:31). It must be kept. But... why does the Lord say “therefore” (oun, in the Greek original), when He introduces the rule...? It seems possible that the Lord means that because God is ready to answer prayer, we must treat others well, because if we don’t, our prayers may not be answered. Indeed, this is how one of the earliest and most respected commentators of the Bible, Chrysostom, understood it...:
After this, to indicate that we ought neither to feel confidence in prayer, while neglecting our own doings; nor, when taking pains, trust only to our own endeavors; but both to seek after the help from above, and contribute withal our own part; He sets forth the one in connection with the other. For so after much exhortation, He taught also how to pray, and when He had taught how to pray, He proceeded again to His exhortation concerning what we are to do; then from that again to the necessity of praying continually, saying, “Ask,” and “seek,” and “knock.” And thence again, to the necessity of being also diligent ourselves.
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