It should be noted that the New Testament was written in Greek. The Greek language has three different words for the one word the English language has for love. The three words are phileo (brother love), eros (intimate love), and agape (kindness, compassion and consideration or charity).
1 Corinthians 13:4-5
“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;”
This passage describes the qualities of true love, emphasizing patience, kindness, humility, and selflessness.
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
This verse illustrates the sacrificial nature of God’s love, showing that He gave His Son for the salvation of humanity.
1 John 4:8
“He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”
This verse highlights that love is essential to the nature of God, and knowing God is inherently linked with showing love.
Romans 5:8
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
God’s love is unconditional, demonstrated by Christ’s sacrifice even before we sought forgiveness or reconciliation.
1 Corinthians 13:13
“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
Paul elevates love as the greatest virtue that should be pursued above all others.
Ephesians 4:2
“With all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,”
This verse encourages believers to express love through patience, humility, and tolerance in relationships.
1 Peter 4:8
“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.’”
Love is seen as powerful and essential, capable of forgiving and overlooking the faults in others.
1 John 3:16
“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”
This verse defines love by the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, and calls believers to also be willing to make significant sacrifices for others.
Colossians 3:14
“But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.”
Love is described as the ultimate virtue that binds all other virtues together in perfect harmony.
Matthew 22:37-39
“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
This verse underscores the foundational importance of love in the Christian faith, both towards God and towards others.
Romans 12:9
“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.”
True love should be genuine and sincere, aligning with goodness and rejecting evil.
Proverbs 10:12
“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins.”
Love is contrasted with hate here, showing its power to forgive and bring peace where there might otherwise be conflict.
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