The two parables from Luke's Gospel are concerned with commitment and self-renunciation in discipleship. Jesus begins shockingly by exhorting His disciples to "hate" parents, family and even their own lives in order to be followers. In this context and in the Hebrew language, "hate", however, means "detachment" and "to hate" is "to be less attached to". He does not want idle and thoughtless curiosity seekers but disciples so committed to Him and His way of life (taking up the Cross) that they are prepared to abandon all that is most meaningful and dear to them.

Jesus' followers have to take into full account their resources and their strengths. The building of the tower requires resources, and the commander of the army has to know the strength of the forces at his behest. Without this thoughtful awareness of what lies ahead, followers cannot claim to be fully committed to discipleship.

Paul writing to the Romans draws attention to what comes after the primary duty of loving God to the limit - and that is charity towards one's neighbours. Love of neighbour implies love of God (cf. Gal. 5:14; 1 Jn. 4:20-21), therefore the committed disciple should be prepared to forsake self-indulgence for love of God and neighbour. Nobody is required to "hate", but rather to "love less", in other words, to have the right priorities and to be discerning about one's scale of values.