§ 1 The text
NASB
Amos 5:14-15, NASBSeek good and not evil, that you may live; and thus may the Lord God of hosts be with you, just as you have said! Hate evil, love good, and establish justice in the gate! Perhaps the Lord God of hosts may be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.
“Loving good is enough; establishing justice in law can wait.”
§ 2 The argument
The prophet ties loving good to a concrete civic act: 'establish justice in the gate' — the place of legal judgment. Right sentiment must become right law. To hate the evil of abortion without establishing justice against it is to obey only half the command.
§ 3 Context & notes
'The gate' was the ancient courtroom. Amos joins moral disposition ('hate evil, love good') to legal action ('establish justice'). Abolitionists use it against a merely attitudinal pro-life posture.
§ 4 Themes
establish justice the gate / courts hate evil love good law not sentiment
§ 5 Discussion questions
- Amos ties 'love good' to 'establish justice in the gate.' Can we claim the first while neglecting the second?
- Where is the modern 'gate,' and what would establishing justice there look like on abortion?