What is Love According to the Bible?

Love is a central theme in the Bible, and it is perhaps one of the most profound and frequently mentioned concepts throughout Scripture. The Bible describes love not just as a feeling or an emotion but as an action, a commitment, and a reflection of God's character. To understand what love truly is according to the Bible, it is essential to explore the various ways love is defined and demonstrated in both the Old and New Testaments.

The Bible teaches that love originates with God, who is the very essence of love. In 1 John 4:8, we read, "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."

God's Love as the Foundation

The Bible teaches that love originates with God, who is the very essence of love. In 1 John 4:8, we read, "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." This verse reveals that love is not merely something God does; it is who He is. God's love is perfect, unconditional, and everlasting. He loves His creation deeply, and His love is the model for how we are called to love one another.

God’s love for humanity is demonstrated throughout the Bible, beginning with His creation of the world and His ongoing care for it. One of the clearest expressions of God's love is found in John 3:16: "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." This act of sacrificial love—sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins—shows the depth of God's love and His desire for a relationship with us.

Love in the Old Testament

The concept of love is present from the very beginning of the Bible. In the Old Testament, love is closely tied to the covenant relationship between God and His people. God’s love for Israel is evident in His faithfulness and His care, even when the people turn away from Him. Deuteronomy 7:9 describes God as a faithful, loving God: "Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments."

The Old Testament also emphasizes that love should be the basis of human relationships. Leviticus 19:18, for instance, commands, "Love your neighbor as yourself." This idea of loving others is carried forward into the New Testament, where it is a key part of Jesus' teachings.

Jesus' Teachings on Love

Jesus not only taught about love but also demonstrated it through His actions. His teachings on love are some of the most well-known and transformative in the Bible. When asked which commandment was the greatest, Jesus replied in Matthew 22:37-39: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

In these two commandments, Jesus summed up the entire law and the prophets, emphasizing that love for God and love for others are inseparable. Loving God with all of one’s being is the highest calling, and it naturally leads to loving others selflessly.

Jesus also taught that love should extend even to our enemies. In Matthew 5:44, He says, "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." This radical teaching goes beyond natural human inclinations, showing that Christian love is not based on how others treat us but on a commitment to love others as God loves us.

The Definition of Love in 1 Corinthians 13

One of the most famous passages in the Bible that defines love is found in 1 Corinthians 13. This chapter is often referred to as the "Love Chapter" and is frequently quoted at weddings and other significant life events. In it, the Apostle Paul gives a clear and powerful description of what love is and how it should be demonstrated:

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor 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." (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

This passage shows that love is not just about feelings but about actions and attitudes. True love is marked by patience, kindness, humility, and forgiveness. It is not selfish or proud, but instead seeks the good of others. This kind of love reflects God’s love for us and is what Christians are called to practice in their relationships.

Sacrificial Love

Another key aspect of biblical love is that it is sacrificial. The Bible teaches that love often involves putting the needs and interests of others ahead of our own. This is perhaps most clearly seen in the life and death of Jesus Christ. In John 15:13, Jesus said, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." Jesus demonstrated the ultimate act of love by laying down His life for humanity, offering forgiveness and salvation through His sacrifice on the cross.

Christians are called to follow this example of sacrificial love. In Ephesians 5:1-2, Paul urges believers to "Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." This kind of love goes beyond words or feelings—it requires action and sometimes even sacrifice.

Love as a Fruit of the Spirit

The Bible also teaches that love is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul lists love as the first of the fruits of the Spirit, followed by joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This means that as believers grow in their relationship with God and are led by the Holy Spirit, love will naturally be produced in their lives.

This love is not something we can achieve on our own; it comes from God working in us. As we surrender to the Holy Spirit, He empowers us to love others as God loves us. This includes loving those who are difficult to love, forgiving those who have wronged us, and showing compassion to those in need.

The Greatest Commandment: Love God and Love Others

The Bible makes it clear that love is the greatest of all virtues. In 1 Corinthians 13:13, Paul writes, "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." This underscores the importance of love in the Christian life. While faith and hope are essential, love is what endures and what defines a true follower of Christ.

Jesus summed up the essence of Christian living when He said that the greatest commandments are to love God and to love others. These two commandments are deeply connected, as loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind leads us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Love for others is the outward expression of our love for God.

Conclusion

According to the Bible, love is more than just a feeling; it is a reflection of God's character and a command that believers are called to live out in their daily lives. God's love for humanity is the foundation of all love, and it is demonstrated through His care, His covenant with His people, and the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The Bible calls Christians to love God with all their heart and to love others selflessly, including those who may be difficult to love. Love, as described in 1 Corinthians 13, is patient, kind, humble, and sacrificial. It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, and it is the greatest commandment that Jesus gave His followers.

In a world where love is often misunderstood, the Bible provides a clear and timeless definition of what true love is—love that comes from God and transforms both our relationship with Him and our relationships with others.