The Meaning of Biblical Love

Introduction

The primary meaning of the word “love” in Scripture is a purposeful commitment to sacrificial action for another. In fact, loving God is demonstrated by obeying His Word (John 14:15, 21, 23-24; 1 John 5:3; 2 John 1:6). Powerful emotions may accompany Biblical love, but it is the commitment of the will that holds love steadfast and unchanging. Emotions may change, but a commitment to love in a Biblical manner endures and is the hallmark of a disciple of Jesus Christ (based on John 3:16, 13:34-35; Romans 5:8-11; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, 13).

All of God’s directives for living are based on loving God and loving others in a Biblical manner.

Matthew 22:36–40 (KJV 1900)

36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Mark 12:28–34 (KJV 1900)

28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?

29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:

33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.

34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.

You are to love God with all your heart, soul, might, and mind (Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:30).

You are to love your neighbor as you already love yourself (Matthew 7:12, 22:39; Mark 12:31; Ephesians 5:29).

Love is giving, not getting, with God’s love being the basis and example for the expression of your love.

John 3:16 (KJV 1900)

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

1 John 4:7–10 (KJV 1900)

7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

God gave His only begotten Son (John 3:16).

The Lord Jesus Christ loves you and gave Himself for you (Galatians 1:4, 2:20).

The Lord Jesus Christ gave Himself as a ransom on your behalf (Isaiah 53:4-12; 1 Timothy 2:6).

The Lord Jesus Christ, in demonstrating His love, served others even though He is the Master (John 13:3-17).

Love has specific characteristics demonstrated by godly deeds (thoughts, words, and actions).

1 Corinthians 13:4–8 (KJV 1900)

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

The test of Biblical love is to do the following, especially when you don’t feel like it.

Matthew 5:46–48 (KJV 1900)

46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

LOVE IS PATIENT, even when you feel like forcefully expressing yourself. Love bears pain or trials without complaint, shows forbearance under provocation or strain, and is steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, and adversity.

LOVE IS KIND, even when you want to retaliate physically or tear down another with your words. Love is sympathetic, considerate, gentle and agreeable.

LOVE IS NOT JEALOUS, especially when you are aware that others are being noticed more than you. Love does not participate in rivalry, is not hostile toward one believed to enjoy an advantage, and is not suspicious. Love works for the welfare and good of the other.

LOVE DOES NOT BRAG, even when you want to tell the world about your accomplishments. Love does not flaunt itself boastfully and does not engage in self-glorification. Instead, love lifts (builds up) others.

LOVE IS NOT ARROGANT, even when you think you are right and other are wrong. Love does not assert itself or become overbearing in dealing with others.

LOVE DOES NOT ACT UNBECOMINGLY, even when being boastful, rude, or overbearing will get you attention and allow you to get your own way. Love conforms to what is right, fitting, and appropriate to the situation in order to honor the Lord.

LOVE DOES NOT SEEK ITS OWN, even when you feel like grabbing it all or have an opportunity to do so. Love does not try to fulfill its own desires, does not ask for its own way, and does not try to acquire gain for itself. Love, as an act of the will, seeks to serve and not be served.

LOVE IS NOT PROVOKED, even when others attempt to provoke you or you are tempted to strike out at something or someone. Love is not aroused or incited to outbursts of anger. Love continues faithfully and gently to train others in righteousness, even when they fail.

LOVE DOES NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT A WRONG SUFFERED, even when everyone seems to be against you or when people openly attack you. Love does not hold a grudge against someone. Love forgives, chooses not to bring up past wrongs in accusation or retaliation, does not return evil for evil, and does not indulge in self pity. Love covers a multitude of sins.

LOVE DOES NOT REJOICE IN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS, even when it seems like a misfortune was exactly what another person deserved. Love mourns over sin, its effects, and the pain which results from living in a fallen world. Love seeks to reconcile others with the Lord.

LOVE REJOICES WITH THE TRUTH, even when it is easier and more profitable materially to lie. Love is joyful when truth is known, even when it may lead to adverse circumstances, reviling, or persecution.

LOVE BEARS ALL THINGS, even when others’ actions are ambiguous and you feel like not trusting anyone. Love accepts trustfully, does not judge people’s motives, and believes others until fact prove otherwise. Even when facts prove that the person is untrustworthy, love seeks to help restore the other to trustworthiness.

LOVE HOPES ALL THINGS, even when nothing appears to be going right. Love expects fulfillment of God’s plan and anticipates the best for the other person. Love confidently entrusts others to the Lord to do His sovereign and perfect will in their lives.

LOVE ENDURES ALL THINGS, especially when you think you just can’t endure the people or circumstances in your life. Love remains steadfast under suffering or hardship without yielding and returns a blessing while undergoing trials.

LOVE NEVER FAILS, even when you feel overwhelmed and the situation seems hopeless. Love will not crumble under pressure or difficulties. Love remains selflessly faithful even to the point of death.

Love characterizes the life of a disciple of Christ.

John 13:34–35 (KJV 1900)

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Ephesians 4:1–3 (KJV 1900)

1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Colossians 3:14 (KJV 1900)

14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

1 John 4:7–8 (KJV 1900)

7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

You must devote yourself to loving one another (Romans 12:10) and remain fervent in this love (1 Peter 4:8), because God has already given you His love freely (1 John 4:7, 11, 19). You do not need to ask God for more love for another, since His love has already been poured out within your heart (Romans 5:5).

You must and can practice Biblical love even when you do not feel like it (Luke 6:27-38; 1 John 3:16-18, 4:18-21).

You are to practice Biblical love even when you must take a stand on Biblical principles that might lead to misunderstanding or retaliation (1 Corinthians 13:8; Ephesians 4:15, 25; 1 John 4:18).

Since godly love is to be the dominant trait of a believer’s life (1 Corinthians 13:13) and is the perfect bond of unity (Colossians 3:14), the characteristics of Christlike love are to be demonstrated even in the midst of difficult situations at home, at work, or with friends (1 Corinthians 13:8).

Biblical love must be practiced even when difficult situations arise that cannot be ignored. You are to practice Biblical love even when you must:

Seriously admonish someone (1 Thessalonians 5:14-15) or take actions to reprove a fellow-believer who is sinning (Matthew 18:15-17),

Establish firm rules of behavior in dealing with a so-called believer who persists in practicing sin (1 Corinthians 5:11-13),

Avoid fellowship with an unruly child of God (2 Thessalonians 3:6),

Reject (avoid) a factious (divisive) person in the Body of Christ (Titus 3:10-11),

Discipline your child (Ephesians 6:4), or

Resort to police involvement or become involved in a legal process (Romans 13:1-5).

Even though you personally are to deal with any situation in Biblical love, other believers should also become involved whenever it is necessary and Biblically appropriate.