There are Christians today who urge us to emphasize Gods love. Such times seem to be coming upon the church in America today, as they have come upon the church elsewhere. * There is no single correct way to translate the ancient Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek Bible manuscripts into English. Because that which God has promised cannot presently be seen, faith and hope are necessary in this life. It transforms husband-wife relationships on the pattern of Christs love (Ephesians 5:25, 28, 33; Colossians 3:19; Titus 2:4). The grammar, structure, and style of those languages are very different from English, and a literal word-for-word translation is not possible. It enables the members to endure one another in meekness and lowliness when wronged (Ephesians 4:2; 1 Corinthians 13:7). This second edition also features a special link to a free online marriage evaluation, a new preface by Stephen and Alex Kendrick, minor text updates, and select testimonials from The Love Dare readers. Take the dare! Each word hyperlinks to all of the scriptures that contain that word. Little wonder that both Abraham and Lot were so eager to invite the angels unaware into the hospitality and safety of their homes (see Genesis 18 and 19). Found inside Page 64From the Commentary The transition from holiness to love is not a The two words most used for love are philia (fil-EE-uh) 64 \ The Wiersbe Bible Study What the church needs today is love, sweet love. There is more talk about love than there is the practice of love. Another way to describe the stance which a person must assume in order to receive the fullness of Gods loving help is that the person must love God. In its full saving effect, the love of God is enjoyed only by those who hope in his steadfast love. This does not mean that Gods love is no longer free and unmerited. Paul asks, Did you receive the Spirit by works of law or by hearing with faith (Galatians 5:2)? And to love your neighbor as yourself does not mean to have a positive self-image or high self-esteem. To say that agape love is the highest form of love is not to say other kinds of love are insignificant or trivial. The body of Christ is national and international. 2 Corinthians 13:11). But the Bible is all about Love the very and true meaning in the Bible is about Love. what is the absolute location of pearland? This act by Israel cannot be called love for their enemies (cf. Rebuke and discipline are not a violation of love but a manifestation of it. They were dependent upon the hospitality of those who shared a like precious faith who would open their homes to those believers they knew, as well as those they did not know. In the Old Testament, the Song of Solomon (Song of Songs) refers to it twenty-six times, while the book of Psalms references it twenty-three. Paul speaks of the role of hope in a general way but also in the form of a personal testimony: And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulation, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Romans 5:3-5). Found inside Page 325The Terminology of Love Much can be learned about the love of God just from a study of the various words used in Scripture to represent the concept. The purpose of words is to transmit thoughts; in English the name Jehovah identifies the true God, transmitting this thought more satisfactorily today than any of the suggested substitutes. Jesus said, You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:43-44; Luke 6:27). The question then becomes, Is it loving? rather than, Is it right? If it is loving, it is presumed to be right. In the life and death of Christ we see in a new way what Gods love is and what mans love for God and for others should be. Having freely chosen to establish a covenant with Israel, God glorifies himself in maintaining a loving commitment to this people. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor. And so it is that I have divided the text into these two parts, with verses 9-13 focusing on love as practiced toward fellow-Christians and verses 14-21 focusing on love as demonstrated toward those unbelievers who persecute us. So the intention of the chapter is to give specific instances of how to be holy as God is holy. Love reminds us that we are serving the Lord, just as we were challenged to do in Romans 12:1. Many people want the kind of God who loves men in their sin, who accepts them just as they are. God cannot and does not do so, because His love is a righteous love. As we will see, the love for things and both dimensions of the love for persons are richly illustrated in the Bible. 59 Perhaps this is one reason Paul urged the Corinthian saints to think twice about marriage in times of distress (see 1 Corinthians 7:1, 25-35). Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin (1 Peter 4:1). The most used word in the bible is LOVE. This is the brotherly love in view in verse 10. There is a Greek word, phileo, that means brotherly love. But in order to delight in God, one must have some conviction that he is good, and some assurance that our future with him will be a happy one. This way of thinking insists that we cannot love God or others until we have first come to love ourself. It is not a work done for God, but rather a happy and admiring acceptance of His commitment to work for those who trust him (Psalm 37:5; Isaiah 64:4). Paul teaches the same thing when he says love is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22; Colossians 1:8; 2 Timothy 1:7), that it is from God (Ephesians 6:23) and is taught by God, not men (1 Thessalonians 4:9). Yet in the case of loving the word we are fortunate to have a great incentive to love the word in Scripture: Because of this divine love, God sent his only Son into the world so that by Christs death for sin (1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18) all those who believe might have eternal life (John 3:16; 2 Thessalonians 2:16; 1 John 3:1; Titus 3:4). We are only told that it is not due to any merit or human distinctive (Rom 9:10-13). This is a compelling read for all who long to love as God loves. Truth can always be abused and even used as an excuse for evil. Why he chooses one and not another is not revealed. Ask questions, submit answers, leave comments. 54 See also 1 Corinthians 5:1-8; Ephesians 5:1-14; Philippians 1:9-11. This edition includes an introduction reviews the most recent scholarship on Jesus and its implications for both history and theology. Very often there is opposition to our ministry. Paul too stresses that the unique thing about divine love is that it seeks to save even enemies. It is delighting in him and a desire to know him and be with him. This is the word for love that is most commonly used in the New Testament. Our love for Him, however, will last for all eternity, inspiring our worship and service in His presence. This same concern was carried into the early church in verses like Romans 12:14, 19-21; 1 Corinthians 4:12; Galatians 6:10; 1 Thessalonians 3:12; 5:15; 1 Peter 3:9. In the Old King James Version (KJV), the word love is mentioned 310 times. Paul taught in Romans 9:6-13 and 11:2-10 that already in the Old Testament not all Israel was Israel. In other words, the promises of Gods love to Israel did not apply without distinction to all individual Israelites. Found inside Page 373When Christianity came, having received the new revelation of the love of God, it found this word as yet unspoilt by common use, and adopted it to express Card wants us to go further than enjoying a simple translation exercise. As with things, loving persons may mean simply enjoying them and taking pleasure in their personalities, looks, achievements, etc. Ecclesiastes 5:10; 12:13). Rather, it seeks to reward others and build them up (1 Corinthians 8:1; Romans 14:15; Ephesians 4:16; Romans 13:10). Such instances should not be used today to justify personal vindictiveness or holy wars, since Gods purposes in the world today are not accomplished through an ethnic political group on par with Israel in the Old Testament. But why is it that faith always works through love? The sum of the matter is that satisfaction is not to be had in setting ones affections on anything but God (cf. But the coming of Christ not only brings about the revelation of God. Indeed, there is (John 8:29; Romans 8:8; 1 Corinthians 7:32; 2 Corinthians 5:9; Galatians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:1); however, we must guard very closely here against dishonoring God by presuming to become his benefactors. There must be two poles for current to flow. What makes the New Testament new is the appearance of the Son of God on the scene of human history. In the internal structure of our text, I see verse 9 as the general, introductory statement and verses 10-13 as supporting descriptions of how love is manifested in various ways.