Biblical Definition of Love
What is the definition of love according to the Bible? Love is a central theme throughout the Christian bible and is heavily discussed in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. The original Hebrew, Greek and Latin words for love used in the bible are especially meaningful. According to many experts, the underlying definition of these words reveal a deep, spiritual revelation of hearts living in harmony with one another.
Some of the most significant scriptures in the bible regarding love include 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, which states: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails”. This definition of love implies that love is an action, and not just an emotion. It is an intentional effort to express true care and compassion for someone else.
Agape
Agape is the highest and most complete level of love according to the Bible. Agape is unconditional love, a love without strings attached. Agape love is profound, sacrificial, and unconditional. It is a selfless love that is given freely and without expecting anything in return. Agape is a God-like love that is patient and kind.
The definition of agape love can be found in 1 John 4:7-8, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” This verse emphasizes the power of agape love and how we must exemplify it in our interactions with one another. In essence, agape love is defined as an active expression of care, trust, and loyalty for another person.
Root of Agape
In the Bible, Jesus is the foundation of agape love and expressed it in various ways. He expressed it in his actions, such as washing the feet of his disciples, and in his words. For example, John 13:34-35 says: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another”. Jesus exemplified agape love and sent a strong message to all of us to love each other as he loves us.
His sacrifice on the cross underscores the importance of agape love and its power to transform the world. His love was unconditional, understanding, and it offered a way out of sin and into the salvation of eternity. It teaches us to think of others first and to act in a way that demonstrates our commitment to agape love.
Love of Family
The Bible also emphasizes the importance of loving our family. It states in Ephesians 6:1-3, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’—which is the first commandment with a promise— ‘that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth’”. This passage reminds us to love and respect our family, for it is part of God’s love for us.
The Bible also states that we should strive to be like-hearted with our brothers and sisters in Christ. In 1 John 4:20-21, it says, “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.” This serves as a reminder that loving our family reflects and magnifies God’s love for us.
Love for One’s Enemy
The Bible instructs us to show love for our enemies. Matthew 5:44-45 reads, “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 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.” This passage reminds us to show love and kindness to all, even those who oppress us.
Loving our enemies is a difficult concept, but it’s one that the Bible asks us to follow if we are to truly live out the agape love that is taught in scripture. We must remember that agape love, derived from the Biblical definition, is unconditional, meaning there is no distinction, qualification, or expectation given to whom we are to love and how we are to love them.
Ways to Love
So what does all this mean? We need to know how to express love in concrete ways. We should practice loving acts of kindness, such as caring for those in need, offering practical help and assistance, and being patient and forgiving where necessary. We should make sure to be extra kind to those who are in our families and in our communities, and to take extra care to love others like Jesus. God’s pure love is powerful, and it can transform our lives if we allow it to.
Love as The Greatest Commandment
We can find many other examples of love as a theme throughout the Bible, but perhaps the most powerful are found in Jesus’ words in Mark 12:30-31: “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Here, Jesus sums up what it means to love. We are to love God and to love our neighbors, and we should strive to live out this love with our thoughts, words, and actions.
Love as The Fulfillment of The Law
The book of Romans instructs us to fulfill the law through love. In Romans 13:8-10 it says, “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,’ and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” This passage reminds us that love is closely linked to the law and that by expressing love, we are fulfilling it.
Love as The Nature of God
The Bible also speaks about love being inherent in the nature of God. It says in 1 John 4:16, “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” This verse reminds us of the power of God’s love, which is greater than anything we could ever comprehend.
God’s love is the source of all love, and it is our hope, joy, and strength. When we understand and accept His love, our lives are transformed and we are able to love selflessly and deeply as He intends. In light of this, we should strive to abide in His love every day, allowing His love to be the light that guides us.
Love as A Reflection of The Trinity
Finally, the Bible speaks of love in terms of the Trinity. The relationship of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit are perfect examples of love and unity. In John 17:20-21, Jesus, who is a perfect expression of love, prays: “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
This passage brings to light the perfect love of the Trinity, which is all-encompassing, selfless, and supremely devoted. Our relationships with one another should be a reflection of this same love. We should strive to build relationships based on the unifying power of love that goes beyond any other bond – even family ties, politics, or religion.
Love as A Supreme Gift
The bible reveals many truths about love, and invites us to explore it’s depths. Love is a supreme gift from God, and it is meant to be shared with all of His creation. It is the greatest commandment and the fulfilling of the law. It is also the perfect expression of the Trinity, and reflects God’s unconditional, never-failing love. When we accept God’s love and strive to express it in our lives, we are living out the highest level of agape love, which is the true definition of love in the Bible.
