Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
What the Bible Says About Love
The Bible presents love not as a mere feeling but as a deliberate action rooted in the character of God Himself. Scripture declares that God is love, making love the defining attribute of the Creator and the foundation of all His interactions with humanity.
Biblical love is most fully expressed in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. While human love often depends on the worthiness of the beloved, God demonstrated His love by sending His Son to die for people who were actively in rebellion against Him. This sets the standard for Christian love.
Jesus taught that love is the greatest commandment, encompassing both love for God with all one's heart and love for one's neighbor as oneself. Every other command in Scripture flows from and depends on this twofold love.
Key Bible Verses
“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;”
— 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”
— 1 John 4:8
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”
— John 13:34
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
— Romans 5:8
Practical Application
- Practice patience and kindness in your closest relationships, especially when it is difficult, remembering that love is defined by action rather than emotion.
- Look for one practical way each day to show sacrificial love to someone who cannot repay you, following the pattern God set in Romans 5:8.
- When conflict arises, choose to respond with love first by listening carefully and seeking to understand before defending your own position.
Family Discussion & Activity
Discussion Questions
- ? What is the difference between the way the world defines love and the way the Bible defines love?
- ? Can you think of a time when someone showed you love through their actions even when it was hard for them?
- ? How can our family practice 1 Corinthians 13 love toward each other this week?
Family Activity
This week, look for examples of love in your daily lives. Share one example at dinner each night and talk about how the Bible's teachings on love can guide your family.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the greatest commandment about love in the Bible?
Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, and mind, and the second is to love thy neighbor as thyself (Matthew 22:37-39).
What does agape love mean?
Agape is the Greek word for unconditional, selfless love. It describes God's love for humanity and the kind of love Christians are called to show one another.
How many times is love mentioned in the Bible?
The word love appears over 300 times in the King James Version, spanning both the Old and New Testaments.
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