We use the word love so much. We love our favorite sports team, we love our favorite foods, we love our spouse, we love our children. The word love is used quite a bit. And today we're going to look at love mentioned in the Bible, but take a deeper look.
If you're like me, you probably got the song "What is love . . baby don't hurt me" stuck in your head from reading this title. Sorry about that!
The word "love" appears many times in the Bible. In fact, it is used over 540 times in the Bible. In the New Testament alone, it appears about 230 times.
The Old Testament was mostly written in Hebrew, while most of the New Testament was written in Greek. This change reflects the different times and people for these writings. The Old Testament tells the history and laws of the Hebrew people, while the New Testament focuses on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the early Christian church, which spread throughout the Greek-speaking world.
This mix of languages is one of the things that make the Bible unique. It is a collection of 66 books, written by various authors over many centuries, spanning multiple continents. This collection includes a rich mix of languages, cultures, and historical settings.
In the New Testament, there are three Greek words for love, each with different meanings:
1. ๐๐ ๐๐ฉ๐ (แผγฮฌπη): This is the highest form of love, characterized by selflessness and sacrifice. It is the love that God has for humanity and that we are called to have for God and others. For example, John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
2. ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ (φιλฮฏα): This refers to affectionate regard or friendship, usually between equals. An example is John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."
3. ๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐ (στοργฮฎ): This word means familial love, the natural affection between family members. Although the specific term is not frequently used in the New Testament, the idea is present in various passages describing family relationships and duties. For instance, Romans 12:10, which says, "Be devoted to one another in love," uses the compound form "philostorgos" (φιλฯστοργος).
One of the most touching examples of love in the New Testament is found in the interaction between Jesus and Peter after Jesus' resurrection. In John 21:15-17, Jesus asks Peter three times, "Do you love me?" The first two times, Jesus uses the word "agape," which refers to unconditional, selfless love—the kind of love that is pure and sacrificial. Jesus is asking Peter if he loves Him with the deepest, most committed form of love.
Peter responds with "philia," which denotes brotherly love or deep friendship. Peter is expressing a sincere but more familiar and less all-encompassing affection. The third time, Jesus changes His question to use "philia," asking Peter if he loves Him with a brotherly affection. This shift from "agape" to "philia" shows Jesus meeting Peter at his current level of understanding and capability.
This exchange highlights the depth and complexity of love and how it can be expressed in different forms. It shows that Jesus acknowledges Peter's honesty and willingness to grow in his love. By doing so, Jesus demonstrates patience and understanding, emphasizing that all forms of genuine love are valuable and that He meets us where we are in our journey.
Finally, let's look at John 3:16 once more. The word "love" here is "agape," representing the ultimate, self-giving love that God has for us. This love is unparalleled and unconditional. It is the love that led Jesus to the cross, offering salvation to all who believe in Him.
God’s love and mercy are never-ending, offering us hope and assurance in every aspect of our lives.
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