Note: this is not the same question as those which seek the meaning of "Be Perfect" in itself. Here, the question is what "Be Perfect" refers to in the text.
In Matthew 5:48 Jesus teaches "Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect." The verses immediately preceding this deal with loving one’s enemy:
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and
hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for
those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who
is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good,
and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those
who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do
the same? 47 And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you
doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You,
therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
The inclusion of the word "therefore" seems to imply that that direction to be perfect follows logically on what has just be said. So the question is: should we understand "be perfect" as an exhortation to love our enemies as God does, a summary of the Sermon on the Mount, or a general commandment?
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