Questions tagged [love]

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5 answers
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Can John 21:15–17 be translated to distinguish Agape and Phileo?

Here’s the text with both Greek words agape and phileo which are normally translated as “love” shown in parenthesis: When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do ...
5 votes
6 answers
2k views

Is love a spiritual gift or a spiritual fruit?

The context of 1 Corinthians 12 and 13 (spiritual gifts) appears to suggest that love (as well as hope and faith) is a spiritual gift: 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a ...
1 vote
3 answers
211 views

Which are the cross references in OT for Mtt 5:43?

We hear Jesus saying in Mtt 5:43 (NIV): You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ < Cross reference of OT to first half of Mtt 5:43 is given as Lev 19:18 which ...
0 votes
3 answers
89 views

Is a person not supposed to love himself/herself with all his/her heart, soul, mind and strength , going by Mk 12:30?

We read in Mark 12:30-31 how Jesus replies to the query on Greatest Commandment: 30 'And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with ...
4 votes
5 answers
163 views

How do Bible scholars interpret the phraseology of Mark 10:21?

In Mark 10, we read about the rich man who wanted to inherit eternal life. Jesus reminds him of the Commandments to which the man says that he has been following them since he was a boy. Verse 21 says ...
0 votes
2 answers
116 views

Looking for a concordance for agape & phileo in all their forms

I've been looking at usages of agape and phileo in the NT. It's been difficult because both are typically translated "love" in English. I've tried doing searches against the Greek text via Bible ...
1 vote
0 answers
68 views

ἀγαπάω vs. φιλέω

Regarding John 21:15-17 and the use of ἀγαπάω vs. φιλέω, I've often heard preachers say “ἀγαπάω” is divine and “φιλέω” is human.  But this always made me wonder about John 3:17, “men ἀγαπάω darkness ...
2 votes
4 answers
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What does 'love in the Spirit' mean in Colossians 1:8?

and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. Colossians 1:8 (ESV) What does 'love in the Spirit' means in Colossians 1:8?
1 vote
3 answers
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When does the marriage take place in Song of Songs?

For a while, I've been trying to find out if the Hebrew practice of Negiah (no physical affection with a non-relative of the opposite sex until you're married to them) was practiced in Bible times, ...
17 votes
8 answers
17k views

Is there any significance behind Jesus' use of the word "love" in "John 21:15-17"

In John 21:15-17 (ESV), we read: 15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that ...
1 vote
2 answers
195 views

Is One of the main overarching meanings of ( Song of Solomon 2:7 ) is that love is gentle & patient?

There is a lot of debate surrounding ( Song of Solomon 2:7 ) as to whether the "Subject" which in this case is the speaker is the bride or the groom? why the "Direct Object" ...
2 votes
1 answer
595 views

When was the love of God shed abroad in our hearts in Romans 5:5?

Romans 5:5 “And hope maketh not ashamed [present tense]; because the love of God is shed abroad [perfect tense] in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” This appears to say the ...
0 votes
1 answer
550 views

Agape and phileo [closed]

What is the difference, biblically and theologically, between agape and phileo. I have read that secular Greek texts/philosophers thought phileo a higher form of love as it refers to intimacy and a ...
1 vote
4 answers
309 views

Does Deuteronomy 7:7-8 imply that God only loved Israel and not the surrounding nations?

Deuteronomy 7:7-8 NASB The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but because the Lord loved ...
1 vote
1 answer
146 views

Does John 17:23 teach that the Father loves all believers as much as he loves Jesus?

The last part of John 17:23 says Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Does that mean the Father loves believers in the same way and to the same ...
4 votes
4 answers
2k views

What is the significance of Jesus adding "mind" in Mark 12:30 to the greatest commandment?

If the Shema, the Jewish confession of faith to love God in Deut 6:5 was so important that devotees recited it every morning and evening each day, adding "mind" to this Greatest Commandment ...
4 votes
3 answers
2k views

Did Jesus curse his enemies?

Jesus' teaching to "love your enemies" is known to practically everyone. But in several cases the NT portrays him as expressing anger toward those who opposed him. He famously drove the ...
2 votes
3 answers
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What kind of 'women's love' is David reffering to in 2 Samuel 1:26?

Masoretic Text צַר־לִי עָלֶיךָ אָחִי יְהֹונָתָן נָעַמְתָּ לִּי מְאֹד נִפְלְאַתָה אַהֲבָֽתְךָ לִי מֵאַהֲבַת נָשִֽׁים׃ NRSV I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; greatly beloved ...
2 votes
3 answers
305 views

In 1 John 4:8 is "Love" a feeling

I have heard the phrase: Love is not a feeling it an action; not a noun but a verb. In 1 John 4:8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (I have bolded the love that I am ...
2 votes
2 answers
106 views

Implications of Romans 8:33-39 regarding the afterlife?

Romans 8:33-39 (ESV): 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the ...
0 votes
1 answer
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Ephesians 5:22-33 husband should have a Passionate Love for his wife But 1 Corinthians 7:29 says husband(& wives) should Not idolize(worship) marriage

Ephesians 5:22-33 Marriage Like Christ and the Church 22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, ...
4 votes
5 answers
870 views

Is doing good deeds for others of no ultimate use or not? 1 Corinthians 13:3 vs. Matthew 25:41-46

1 Corinthians 13:3 (ESV): 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Matthew 25:41-46 (ESV): 41 “Then he will say to those on his left,...
3 votes
2 answers
508 views

In light of Proverbs 24:17 , how would we go about justifying or reasoning Psalm 54:5-7 claim of being satisfied with enemies' destruction?

Proverbs 24:17 (NASB) Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; Proverbs 24:17 (KJV) Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be ...
6 votes
7 answers
1k views

What is the difference between "knowledge" in Ephesians 3:19 & "wisdom " in 1 Corinthians 1:30?

What is the difference between "knowledge" in Ephesians 3:19 and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. ( AKJV ) & "...
1 vote
2 answers
566 views

Did Amnon have "agape" love for Tamar according to the Septuagint?

In 2 Samuel 13, Amnon is said to "love" his beautiful sister Tamar (v. 1). The verb "love" is apparently translated agapao, the verb form of agape, in the Septuagint. Long story ...
1 vote
2 answers
258 views

Does Jesus want an extended Family and/or Traditional Families in the World?

I have wondererd what Jesus wanted to mean with the following (John 13:34): A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. (...
8 votes
7 answers
9k views

Why is the greater love not to lay down one's life for one's *enemies*?

How are we to reconcile the following verses? Jn 15:13: Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. Mt 5:44,46-47: But I tell you, love your enemies and pray ...
4 votes
5 answers
207 views

When a passage mentions "love God" and "keep His commandments", is it equating the two actions as being one in the same?

When a passage mentions to love God/Lord and to keep His/the commandments in the same passage, is it equating these two actions as equal, as separate actions, or is one action a subset (for lack of ...
5 votes
7 answers
901 views

Was Jesus’ commandment to "love enemies" (Matthew 5:43) meant literally?

Was Jesus’ commandment to his disciples to love their enemies in Matthew 5:43 intended to be understood literally? 43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your ...
3 votes
5 answers
415 views

What does "his love" mean in 1 John 4:12?

1 John 4:12 ESV "No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us." Does "his love" here refer to: 1 John 4:9. His love for Jesus,...
1 vote
2 answers
70 views

What is the proper rendering of Song 2:6?

I've wondered for a while if the Jewish concept of Negiah (no physical affection with a non-relative of the opposite sex until you're married to them) was practiced in Bible times. One verse that may ...
5 votes
4 answers
125 views

Is Paul proposing law-keeping as an ideal for the Christian life?

In Romans 13:10 (NASB) Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law. Is Paul proposing law-keeping as an ideal for the Christian life?
5 votes
4 answers
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What does the Gesture of "uncovering feet" and "laying to Boas feet" mean?

In Ruth 3,4 it is written: When he gets ready to go to sleep, take careful notice of the place where he lies down. Then go, uncover his legs, and lie down beside him. He will tell you what you should ...
1 vote
1 answer
453 views

Is 1 Samuel 22:1-4 record of David asking King of Moab to look after his parents evidence that David had some affinity towards Moabite ethnic group?

I might be indicating the obvious, but I suppose I say this because I myself come from an ethnic group with an Eastern cultural background, therefore, I am somewhat familiar with close affinities ...
2 votes
3 answers
586 views

What gave Jesus certainty that the Pharisees didn’t love God? John 5:42

“But I know that you do not have the love of God within you.” ‭‭John‬ ‭5:42‬ ‭ What does it mean to love God?
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2 answers
638 views

What is the opposite of Love? [closed]

The answer to this question will reveal the single greatest identifier of the antichrist who is the lawless one spoken of in 2 Thessalonians 2:-7.
4 votes
3 answers
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What does it mean to "not be subject to the law" in Galatians 5:18?

Galatians 5:13-26 (NRSV): 13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. ...
15 votes
6 answers
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What does "Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires." mean?

Reading the Song of Solomon, the phase "do not awaken love" or variants thereof is used several times. What does it mean? Song of Solomon 8:4 Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you: Do not arouse ...
1 vote
2 answers
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( Romans 12:14 "14 Bless those who persecute [d]you; bless and do Not curse.") can stand side-by-side withOut contradicting the imprecatory scripture

I am trying to go about reasoning how ( Romans 12:14 "14 Bless those who persecute [d]you; bless and do Not curse.") can stand side-by-side withOut contradicting the imprecatory scripture ( i.e., ...
2 votes
2 answers
770 views

(1 Corinthians 13:7) Love bears, hopes, endures ALL things? really?

1 Corinthians 13:7, "It [love, agape, ἀγάπη] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. The greek "πάντα/panta" means all/every. What does it mean to "hope all?". ...
1 vote
2 answers
252 views

Did Paul have it backwards? Ephesians 5:33

It appears to me that Paul has it backwards. I’ve struggled to understand this verse. Men understand respect, it comes naturally to a man yet he asks the husbands to love the wives; and wives tend ...
0 votes
1 answer
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What about if the blasphemy was a thought? [closed]

as I had a thought earlier that was blasphemous to the holy spirit, i did not (and do not want to) say it out loud. It was in my head, but im concerned if it was if i meant it from the heart. I asked ...
4 votes
2 answers
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Perfect love in 1 John

A few days ago I heard someone mentioning fear, and he said, "Yes, I know perfect love casts out all fear, but who of you has perfect love?" But I thought to myself, "In the context of first John, I ...
1 vote
1 answer
90 views

How is 1 Corinthians 13:9-12 related to the context, which seems to be about "love"?

Why does the author talk about love in previous verses then on verse 9-12 goes in a different direction? Then finishes off in verse 13. How do verses 9-12 relate to the context, which seems to be ...
5 votes
4 answers
184 views

Deut 11: commanded to love?

Deut 11:1 starts off "Therefore you shall love the Lord your God". Verse 13 says: "And it shall be that if you earnestly obey My commandments which I command you today, to love the Lord your God ..."....
0 votes
2 answers
354 views

What does "perfect love casts out fear mean? [duplicate]

First timer here, seems like a great community and glad to be here. I was hoping to get different ways to explain this scripture in 1John 4:18. Thank you! H
1 vote
3 answers
452 views

In Ephesians 3:17 are the saints becoming rooted and established or already rooted and established in love?

Regarding Ephesians 3:17, "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love": 1) Was Paul saying that the Ephesians were already rooted and established in love, or was he praying that they ...
0 votes
4 answers
292 views

Love outside of God? [closed]

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:8 NIV) The reverse would be: Whoever does love does know God, because God is love. If every human being is created in the ...
5 votes
2 answers
8k views

Does John distinguish between terms for love?

It's fairly common knowledge that there are four Greek words for love, but it's not clear from the Wikipedia article whether certain distinctions persist from Ancient Greek to Koine, namely the ...
8 votes
4 answers
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John 21:15: "do you love me more than....?"

John 21:15a reads NA28 Ὅτε οὖν ἠρίστησαν λέγει τῷ Σίμωνι Πέτρῳ ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Σίμων Ἰωάννου, ἀγαπᾷς με πλέον τούτων; ESV When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of ...