What Is Love in the Bible — In Biblical Context

The Biblical Context

The Bible uses several Greek words for love, but the highest is agape — a selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love that seeks the good of its object regardless of merit or response. 'God is love,' and His love is not a feeling but a deliberate choice to give His Son for undeserving rebels. '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.' Love is the greatest of the theological virtues: 'And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.' Paul defines love in 1 Corinthians 13: it is patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not proud, not rude, not self-seeking, not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs, rejoices in truth, always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. The command to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbour as ourselves, sums up the entire Law. Love is the fruit of the Spirit, the bond of perfection, and the distinguishing mark of Christ's disciples. Without it, all religious activity is worthless noise.

Where It Sits in Scripture

Supporting Passages