Love Quotes & Sayings

Nikola Dimitrov asked:


“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

                                                                     2 Timothy 1:7

 

The spirit the Lord has given us is not a spirit of fear. It’s a spirit of power, love and a sound mind. Let’s see the context in which this verse is said:

 

“Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began”

                                                                 2 Timothy 1:6-9

 

We can see the Lord saving and calling every one of us with a holy calling, according to His own purpose and grace, even before the foundation of the world (verse 9). We can also see that He has placed gifts on the inside of us, which we must stir (verse 6). That’s God’s image for us. But obviously, there is an opposition; there are spirits of fear, shame, blockages, obstructions, afflictions, etc (verse 8).

 

So, the Lord has given us a spirit. This Spirit gives us the ability to rise above the image of the devil. It makes us more than conquerors in 3 specific areas which cover the whole spectrum of our life.

 



Spirit of power.



 

The Holy Spirit is a Spirit of power. His power is greater than all the power of the enemy.

 

“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

                                                                         Luke 10:19

 

The devil has principalities and powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places at his disposal (Ephesians 6:12), but the power of the Lord is greater than them all – so much greater that if we tap into that power, we’ll not even consider the power of the devil.

 

Please look at Elijah. He was able to confront 850 of the false prophets of Jezebel (1 kings 18:19). They all had been deceiving the people of Israel for years with their magic, their witchcraft; their false prophesies, their tricks, etc. Yet, Elijah knew his God so well, that this event can not even be called “a confrontation”, because Elijah literary made fun of these devil’s worshippers. They could not perform even one trick (1 Kings 18:26-29).

 

Can you imagine that? Can you imagine yourself standing against 850 occult practitioners? Not only that – can you imagine you being the one to challenge and confront them? Can you imagine yourself saying something like: “Hey, you that worship the devil your god, show me the power of your god, and I will show you what my God can do”? What would make you say such a thing? The image of God in you! Nothing else!

 

Let’s look at Jesus Christ our Lord. Have you ever thought about the fact that He had Pharisees, Sadducees and teachers of the law right next to Him all the time? Wherever He went, they were there as well. And let me assure you that they were not supporting Him.

 

Now imagine yourself being surrounded by such negative religious people trying to discredit your life and ministry all the time. Every move you make and they have what to say about it, and it is not an encouragement for sure. They know better about everything. They are self-righteous, considering themselves holy, blameless and beyond reproach. They think they have the right to find fault in every word you say and every thing you do. And you are trying to minister salvation, healing, deliverance and wholeness to individuals and multitudes at the same time. How about that?

 

And Jesus did not tell His “bodyguards” to get rid of these negative people around Him. No, Jesus functioned in this very environment all the time. He was preaching the good news of the Kingdom of God, He was healing the sick, He was casting out devils and He was doing good everywhere He went. He was so focused on His mission from God that nothing could distract Him.

 

That amazes me so much, because some times, it takes just one person (a good one too – a Christian brother or a sister) to say just one word or sentence and that could make us stop, retreat and even quit. Just one word! Even if it was not intentional. If it was intentional and was coming from an oppressed by the devil person, the chances are that one such thing ruins our service or whatever we are trying to accomplish at the moment. And if the person is demon possessed and the manifestation is actually purely demonic in its nature, then I don’t want even to think what could happen for the normal, usual Christian minister.

 

Yet, we are not usual Christians. We are not usual ministers. There’s nothing usual about us. We have been supernaturally recreated in our spirits, we got absolutely supernaturally born again, and the God of the whole Universe came to dwell right inside our hearts (spirit beings). We are being renewed in our mind through the word of God that is so powerful, that He created everything that exists by it (Hebrews 1:1-3). The Lord has placed His fruit of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance in us, which is so supernatural as well (Galatians 5:22-23). He has also placed gifts on the inside of us (1 Corinthians 12) that are the abilities of God Himself. He has also given us ministry gifts, such as apostles, prophets, teachers, pastors and evangelists, intercessors, worshippers, marketplace ministers and so much more (Ephesians 4:11; Romans 12:4-8) so that all the saints can be equipped to do the work of the ministry the Lord has given us all – the Great Commission to take this Gospel to the ends of the Earth.

 

Well, as you can see, there’s nothing that is not supernatural about us. We are not living by the natural, worldly standards, methods and principles – we are living by FAITH.

 

There’s no other way to challenge 850 occultists and win. There’s no other way to stay focused in an environment filled with hostile religious fanatics and unbelieving people.

 

We can do it though, because the Lord has given us a Spirit of power. We can finish our course, fulfill our mandate and be the witnesses the Lord wants us to be for Him:

 

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

                                                                              Acts 1:8

 

When the Spirit comes upon us – we will receive power – the Spirit of power. Nothing and nobody will stop us. The demons will fall and the powers of hell will be overpowered by God’s Spirit of power in us.

 



Spirit of love.



 

The Spirit of power works in the area of confronting and overcoming every demonic power and opposition that could stand in our path. It gets rid of every demonic stronghold, every demonic power, every demonic image and every demonic blockage and limitation. It completely wipes the devil out of our way, so we can serve the Lord and His people fully and most effectively.

 

Now the Spirit of love covers another area – the area of our relationships with the Lord and the people around us. There is so much hatred in this world – so much division, separation, divorce, racism, prejudice, discrimination, lack of sympathy and compassion, false love (perversion, prostitution, homosexuality, lesbianism, fornication, adultery, and promiscuity) and who knows what else.

 

We all find ourselves bombarded with this moral and relational degradation on every side. That’s why the hospitals are full. That’s why the cemeteries are full with young people. That’s why the asylums are full. That’s why the prisons are full.

 

That’s the reason for the family devastation, for the rape rate, crime rate, murder rate, abortion rate and every other negative rate.

 

We can never even go above the surface of all this except by and through the Spirit of love. We are called to carry another standard – again in an environment filled with scoffers and hostile people (Psalm 1).

 

I once had a conversation with a “Christian brother”, who was a homosexual. He said: “Love is the greatest power on Earth”.

 

I said: “You are right, but God’s love, not homosexual love”.

 

Suddenly, all his “brotherhood” flew away and the demon manifested. He said: “Homosexual love will defeat all evil in this world”. Then he turned at me and said: “You are evil” (me being a representative of God’s love in this conversation).

 

Can you believe that? The devil calls God’s love – evil, compared to the “love” he is offering to human kind – perversion.

 

Well, we must bring God’s love to this lost and dying humanity. We must love the people, but hate their sin, because it is the devil that has imposed it on them to destroy them – Christians and Non-Christians alike. God’s love is perfect love – it’s so pure and holy. It’s so unconditional and true. It’s amazing what it can do if we allow the Lord to use us as channels of His love and mercy and compassion. Love is not just a feeling. It’s not just an emotion. Love is an image, because love is a Person. God is Love! And we must have that same image of the God of love on the inside of us, so we can love the Lord back, with all heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27) and so we can show that love of God to our neighbor, as the image of that same love in us is leading us.

 

Who is our neighbor? Whom shall we show love to? Whom shall we release that image to? You can find the answer in (Luke 10:29-37)

 

God’s love is indeed the greatest power on Earth. There’s no relationship that can not be healed, restored and brought to life by God’s love. Love will heal our marriage, love will restore our family, love will connect us all in God’s purposes and love will make us whole in each and every relationship we have. Love will keep it going with more and more of God’s power and fulfillment. Love will also keep our faith strong, because “faith worketh by love” (Galatians 5:6).

 

Here’s what love is. Who can resist that? Who will not give in to that? What relationship will not bow before that?

 

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 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; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth:”

                                                          1 Corinthians 13:1-8

 

Love is all consuming. It should be the motivating force behind our every word and deed. We can have all the power, but without love – we are nothing. Love is the cement that holds everything together. Love works in the motives. Everything we say or do – if we say and do it with love as our motivation, it will succeed in God’s eyes and bring reward. Otherwise, it will be worth nothing.

 

Love is the main thing. It’s the greatest thing. We should be moved only by love. God loved the world and that’s why He sent Jesus to die for us (John 3:16). When Jesus indeed came, the Bible says He was moved by compassion (Matthew 9:36; 14:14; Mark 1:41; 6:34). Compassion and love are the same. He was moved by it. He didn’t have any hidden agendas for His relationships. He was not moved by promotion possibilities, by offers, by His abilities, by His gifts, by His power, or even by His faith. He moved when God on the inside of Him moved. God’s essence is Love and Compassion. When God stirred the heart of Jesus with His image of love for a person, a given relationship, or a situation – Jesus was moved by that image. He was moved by love. The Spirit of love was upon Him to preach the Gospel to the poor, to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, opening of the prison for the bound, recovering of sight to the blind, set at liberty those that are bruised, and preach the acceptable year of the Lord (Isaiah 61:1-2, Luke 4:18-19).

 

It’s the Spirit of love that compels us to preach, heal, bind up, care and move in God’s purposes and intentions. Whatever the situation is and whatever point the relationship is, the Spirit the Lord has given us is not a spirit of fear, so we run away from our responsibility, but it is a Spirit of love.

 

Love is not passive. It attacks the enemy. It’s aggressive. It takes responsibility because it cares for the other person. It does not want to lose the person. It does not say: “I am right.” No, it gives, it loves, it ministers, it sheds abroad, it distributes, it sows, it does not quit.

 

Love wins all the time!

 



Spirit of a sound mind.



 

Now, we dealt with the area of outside demonic opposition of all kinds, we saw how love will help us excel in every relationship, and the only other area remaining is the area of our inner life - our thoughts, our inner struggles, our emotions, our heart issues. That’s where we need to exercise the Spirit of a sound mind. Sound mind means wholesome mind, healed mind, active mind, focused mind, dedicated to serve mind.

 

We all know that everything that is happening in our life – positive or negative – is leaving a mark in our inner being. The way we have been raised, the place of our upbringing, the family we have been a part of, the words we have heard, the Church we have gone to, the conditions and people at work, school, etc, the TV programs we are watching, the places where we go – all this and everything else is leaving its impression in us and thus, is forming our thinking and behavioral patterns, and hereby – our actions.

 

If we have been surrounded by negative things all the time, those things form strongholds in our mind, our emotions and our overall composure – our way of life.

 

And since the devil knows that, he is constantly trying to surround us with people, situations and things that will try to exalt themselves above God’s image in us. See for yourselves:

 

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ”

                                                                               2 Corinthians 10:3-5

 

See? We are to pull down all these strongholds and to cast down every thing that is exalting itself against the knowledge of God and to bring every thought to the obedience of Christ.

 

Christ the Anointed One and His anointing is teaching us (1 John 2:27). God’s knowledge is bringing God’s image, but there are things that try to exalt themselves against the knowledge of God (the image of God). These include the internal scars, wounds, hurts, agonies, confusions, disappointments and fears.

 

The Lord though has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of a sound mind – able to rise above every internal (inner) struggle and rejection and bitterness and hurt.

 

God’s Spirit of a sound mind heals us on the inside and helps us clothe ourselves internally with God’s image. Greater is He that is living in us, than he that is living in the world (1 John 4:4).

 

All in all, the Spirit the Lord has given us is a Spirit that will lead us in victory in each and every area of our life with God. It will make us more than conquerors (Romans 8:37).

 

“And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.”

                                                                Revelations 15:2

 

Greath Owen asked:


The Love spell is performed with many loving rituals. If you love someone and want them back, then a great method to bring that love is by a love spell. If anyone wants to attract someone new or if ones lover is in love with someone else, then by introducing love spells you may gain back your lost love. Lost love spells are usually performed for someone who has lost his or her love and wants them back.

Anyone can learn to use the laws of spell casting if he or she is ready for magic.

Types of Love Spells

Some of the more common and ancient Magic Love Spells include: Wicca Love Spells, Voodoo Love Spells, Simple Love Spells, Powerful Love Spells, Egyptian Love Spells, Reuniting Love Spells, Reuniting Lovers Spells, Attracting Love Spells, Psychic Love Spells, Return & Reunite Love Spells and Bring Back Lost Love Spells.

Uses of the Love Spell

Love spells are cast for many reasons, especially to gain back a lost love, attract a new love, to find a new lover, turn a good friend into a lover, draw a loved one closer, receive a proposal of marriage, celebrate married life, mend lover’s quarrels, magnify lust, attract casual sexual partners, or increase fertility. Love spells can be gentle or strong, suggestive or coercive.

Love Spells for Different People

Red spells are for romance, love, lust, fertility, or sexuality. Binding spells are used to bring two lovers together forever. It can also be used for those who are insecure with their love relationship. Love spells can be used for Protection. To protect your marriage or repel against divorce often marriage spells, break up spells, breaking Love Spells or divorce spells are used. Some times love spells are used to get back a lost Love. Another favourite are the potent Break up Spells which are commonly used to get back someone who is with some one else.

Techniques of Casting a Love Spell Different people use different Techniques in Love Spell Casting. But the most common techniques are:-

Love Spell Casting using Horoscope Signs Love Spell Casting using Moon Phases Love Spell Casting using Tarot Card Reading Love Spell Casting with Candle Spells Visualization

How to Cast a Love Spell

For a very common type of love spell you can easily try the following - This works best on the Friday before a full moon. You will require a Pink Candle, a Vase, and Pink Flowers possibly roses.

Step 1- After sunset light a candle and place next to the vase. Step 2- Say aloud I ask the power of love and light to bring opportunity for me Step 3- Next recite I affirm that I am worthy of love. Step 4- I am opened to love and ask him/her to come to me. Step 5- Blow out the candle. Step 6- Wait a month – and if there is no change, try the spell again.

Love spells draw the magic forces for someone to love you. Modern scientific research is rediscovering ancient magical truths. It was once believed that magicians could create miracles, witches could cast spells, and through chanting certain people could bring on the unbelievable. Now we find modern instances of the same ancient principles in new terms called meditation.

Robin Calamaio asked:


Love. This seems like an important subject area for Christianity. In fact, one could even contend it is a core element of the Christian faith! After all, the first commandment is the requirement to love God - with all our heart, mind, soul and strength (Mk 12:30). The second commandment requires us to love our neighbor as our self (Mk 12:31)! This “love” requirement covers all our vital relationships - toward self, neighbor and Creator! But the centrality of this “love doctrine” extends even further. The Bible states that love fulfills the Law (Ro 13:8-10 and Gal 5:14)! So, all the requirements of the Law of God … are fulfilled by love?! It is evidently made up of something that has the ability to satisfy the requirements the entire Old Testament theocracy! This is worth thought, investigation and inquiry!

So, … what is love? If we are to fulfill these commands, we need some kind of definition. How else can we know if we are meeting His requirements?

A Common Teaching

There are two New Testament Greek words often translated “love” in English. Here is a common teaching - maybe the common teaching - on the meaning of these two Greek words.

1) Agapao (verb); Agapee (noun). God is agapee (1Jn 4:8). As God Himself is agapee, and since He is divine, then it logically follows that He acts (the verb) in divine love - agapao. Agapee originates in God, and can never fail (1Cor 13:8). This is clearly the highest form of love. Therefore, many teach agapao/agapee means, “the unconditional, divine love of God.” It is also taught that non-Christians are separated from this love, but at conversion, one enters into this love. But, there’s more! The convert becomes more than just a simple recipient of this love from God. He/she now becomes a conduit for this “alien-to-the-world” love to flow through. With Christ in the Christian, the divine love of God can unconditionally flow toward those around the Christian. And since agapao as an act of God (unconditional and unfailing), the actions, or reactions, of the targeted object are ultimately irrelevant as this love is independent of human affectations.

2) Phileo (verb); Philos (noun). This is defined as “brotherly love,” or “man’s love.” It is the love expressed by unsaved people. Therefore, it is a lesser form of love than the divine agapao. Ultimately, it is a self-centered type of love that does have conditions to it - even if not readily detectable. As simply a human love, it is innately fickle and can be turned on and off as situations and conditions change. The transliterated word, Philadelphia (philia + adelphphia fem.), means, “the city of brotherly love,” and is often cited as an example of the meaning phileo.

This teaching sounds quite learned as it appeals to the original New Testament language. It is also quite appealing as it separates the pure and holy love of God from the fickle, corruptible affections that periodically emanate from the unsaved. This really does sound great! But the part about the Christian entering into God’s divine love (agapao) upon conversion - the love the world does not know - well, that is phenomenal. And when you add that the convert can become a funnel for this divine material to flow though - spontaneously, unconditionally, even divinely - to all those around - what a rush! The only problem with this teaching … is that it is wrong. How can I be so confident about this assertion?

I had been taught, and believed, the common teaching on the meaning of agapao and phileo (related above). It had come through Biblical scholars and was even taught in several denominations to which I had been exposed. I had no reason to doubt the accuracy of this teaching as I was just “a layman” and only knew English. And surely on such an important topic - Love - the teaching was correct. But then, I went to a Bible college. After completing my first year of “Beginners Greek,” I began reading the Gospel of John - the simplest of the New Testament Greek. In describing what happened next, I will now quote directly from my Ebook, “Love and the Bible” (pages 9-11, 13, and 19).

As I started in John, everything was going along quite well. Eventually, I came to John 3:16. “For God so loved (agapao) the world, that He gave His only begotten Son…” I thought, “I know that word! That’s God’s love! That’s the love the world is incapable of generating!” I had run across the stuff of legend! There it was - the powerful, exclusive, love from God - in all it’s purity and transcendency! A love generated from the deepest recesses of the heart of our benevolent Creator projected unconditionally upon an undeserving world! I thought, “Wow! This is great!” I excitedly continued my journey through John. Then, three verses later ….

I came to John 3:19. “And this is the judgement; that the light has come into the world, and men loved (agapao) the darkness rather than the light….” It took me a second, and then I said, “Say, what?” I read the verse again. I was stunned. Even now, twenty plus years later, that moment is still frozen in time. I thought, “I did not read what I just read. This is an impossible statement. Men … with divine love - for the darkness?! WHAT?? How can men divinely love darkness??” I saw that agapao was in the Aorist mood and active voice, so I immediately went to my lexicon to make sure it was agapao. Sure enough … it was. In disbelief, I read it again and inserted the definition for agapao I had been taught. “… and men had a divine, unconditional love - the love of God, the love from God - FOR DARKNESS!!!” The shocking reality then struck me - “Agapao cannot mean divine love!! I have been taught error … about love!!” Aughhhhhhh. And is there a subject more central to Christianity than Love?? I’m telling you - alarms went off everywhere! A biblical understanding of love is critical - to everything as far as Christianity is concerned! We are commanded to love God, love our neighbor, love our wife, love our children, love the brethren, love life, love His coming - love our enemies!! We are not to love money, love the chief seats, love the first place … love is all over the place - in attitudes, behaviors, actions and reactions. “I have been taught error about … LOVE!!!” For me, this created an emergency of the first order. But, as I am interested in your input, I would like for you to now go to a poll I have on my website. It asks:

“The information I have just been exposed to has:

1) created an emergency of the first order,

2) simply pricked my interest,

3) created no emergency at all, or

4) has done nothing, as I don’t know what the heck you are talking about.”

The Search for Truth Begins in Earnest!

God only has to say something one time for it to be forever true and fully empowered. But if we can find other corroborating witnesses in His word on a particular subject area, that will help us to be sure we correctly understand and represent His view on that topic. With that in mind, I immediately grabbed my Greek concordance so as to examine every use of the word agapao. The verb form appears almost 150 times in the New Testament. Here are five of them.

2Ti 4:10 “Demas, having loved (agapao) this present world, deserted me…”

2Pet 2:15 “… they (false teachers) … followed the way of Balaam … who loved (agapao) the wages of unrighteousness.

Jn 12:43 “For they (the Pharisees) loved (agapao) the approval of men rather than the approval of God.”

Lk 11:43 “Woe to you Pharisees! For you love (agapao) the front seats in the synagogues, and (you love - agapao) respectful greetings in the market places.”

Lk 16:13 “No servant can serve two masters; for he will either hate the one, and love (agapao) the other …. You cannot serve God and mammon.”

There are sixteen uses of agapao/agapee in this vein. These will all be listed later.

“Ohhh … What about phileo?”

Immediately, another word came to mind. “What about phileo? Does that mean, ‘brotherly love’? Is it a human love inferior to agapao?” Within minutes, I discovered that phileo had nothing to do with brotherly love! NOTHING!! In John 5:20, Jesus stated, “For the Father loves (phileo) the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing….” In this passage, phileo is an activity between God the Father and God the Son!! This “stuff,” is generated from inside God the Father and its target is God the Son! Man is completely outside the loop! I thought, “Phileo cannot mean ‘brotherly love’ or some second rate man’s love! It can’t! Furthermore, how can it be inferior to agapao when it is generated by God Himself?”

So, there I stood ….

So, there I stood, six years into my Christian experience - with no idea what the Bible itself actually taught about love! What a betrayal! I had naively relied upon the integrity of those Greek “scholars” in my past - and I propagated their error - their false teaching - their heresy! And the errant material dealt with - Love! What a subject to be screwed up on! After the feelings of shock, anger, and grief … came cool resolve. A journey was launched for me the day I ran across the statement that “men loved (agapao) the darkness rather that the light; for their deeds were evil” (Jn 3:19).

My Starting Point

While I did not know what the Bible did teach on this subject, I did know this. Agapao could not mean divine love, and phileo could not mean brotherly, or man’s, love. So, I already did know more than my “teachers” knew on the subject! That encouraged me a little bit. Things could only get better - if God would grant me the wisdom, understanding and insight needed to grow into truth. So, I asked Him for that assistance. That was my starting point. If this sounds reasonable to you, maybe you could take a moment and ask the same.

Back to this Article

Here is a listing of all the “profane uses” of agapao and agapee. Plug in the common teaching’s definition of “divine love,” and you will see it is impossible for agapao/agapee to mean, “divine love.”

Evil (or Neutral) or Non-Divine Agapao (verb) Uses:

Only loving those who love you (Mt 5:46).

Two masters - hate one and love the other - can choose agapao for money over God (Mt 6:24).

Sinners also love those that love them (Lk 6:32 - this is two uses in one breath!).

Which released debtor will love the releasing lender most? (Lk 7:42).

Pharisees love the uppermost seats and respectful greetings (Lk 11:43).

Men loving darkness (Jn 3:19).

Pharisees loving the praise of men more than the praise of God ( Jn 12:43).

Peter being asked if He loved Jesus “more than these” (Jn 21:15).

Demas having loved this present age (2Ti 4:8).

Balaam who loved the wages of unrighteousness (2Pet 2:15).

Admonition to not love the world. If one does, the love of the Father is absent (1Jn 2:15).

Not to love with word or tongue, but in deed and truth (1Jn 3:18).

Evil or Non-Divine Agapee (noun) Uses:

Love of many that grows cold (Mt 24:12).

Leaving first love (Rev 2:4).

The Bible teaches:

Agapao and Agapee are routinely expressed by man (saved and unsaved) and also by God.

Agapao (verb) displayed by God: “… for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2Cor 9:7. This use can be found in dozens of other passages.

Agapao (verb) displayed by saved man: “He that loves his brother abides in the light ….” 1Jn 2:10. This use can be found in dozens of other passages.

Agapao (verb) displayed by unsaved man: “… men loved darkness rather than the light ….” Jn 3:19. Also see, Mt 5:26, Mt 6:24, Lk 6:32, Lk 7:42, Lk 7:47, Lk 11:43, Jn 12:43, 2Ti 4:10, 2Pet 2:15, 1Jn 2:15, 1Jn 3:18 and Mt 24:12. A couple of these are injunctions to Christians to direct agapao in the right direction (e.g., 1Jn 2:15 and 1Jn 3:18).

Agapee (noun) in reference to God: “God commended His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Ro 5:8, plus dozens of other examples.

Agapee (noun) in reference to saved man: “…and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you ….” Eph 5:2. (This is the passage where the noun and verb are not divorced - “just as Christ also loved (agapao) you!” The same stuff!

Agapee (noun) in reference to unsaved man: “And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold” (Mt 24:12). See also Revelation 2:4.

The truth is, agapao abounds all around us, being practiced by sinners and saints alike. And it is directed towards animate as well as inanimate objects! It is practiced towards money, towards places of honor, and towards the world! Once you understand what agapao is, you will begin to recognize its presence all around you. The Bible does not list every use of expressed agapao in its pages. But it gives enough examples to set us on the trail to see its expressions and activities in this world. You see, agapao does abound - whether you see it or not, whether you understand what it is or not, or whether you are willing to acknowledge it or not. And sinners exude it in all directions as they “agapao the darkness!” (Jn 3:19).

Phileo

Here are some passages where phileo is used - and can not mean “brotherly love,” or a “man’s love.” Plug in either definition, and you will see it is impossible for the common teaching to be correct.

The Father’s love for the Son (Jn 5:20).

Jesus’ love for Lazarus (Jn 11:3).

The Father’s love for the disciples (Jn 16:27).

Jesus’ love for John (Jn 20:2).

Jesus’ love for His own (Rev 3:19).

The Bible teaches:

Phileo is routinely expressed by man (saved and unsaved) and also by God!

Phileo displayed by God: “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline.” Rev 3:19. See also Jn 5:20, Jn 11:3, Jn 11:36, Jn 16:27a, and Jn 20:2.

Phileo displayed by saved man: “Greet them that love us in the faith.” Tit 3:15. See also, Jn 16:27b, Jn 21:15,16,17, and 1Cor 16:22 (a critically important use examined in detail in the Eook).

Phileo displayed by unsaved man: “Outside … (is) everyone who loves and practices lying.” Rev 22:15. There are seven other uses like this. See Mt 6:5, Mt 10:37 (twice), Mt 23:6, Lk 20:46, Jn 12:25, and Jn 15:19.

As you can see, it is impossible for phileo to mean, “brotherly love.”

So, agapao and agapee are expressed by man (saved and unsaved), and by God. Phileo is also expressed by man (saved and unsaved), and by God! Man and God display both.

I hear many of you now asking, “So, what does agapao/agapee mean? And what does phileo mean? And why are so many ‘Greek scholars’ in error on what the Bible teaches about love?” Well, the intent of this Article has been to expose that agapao/agapee cannot mean, “the unconditional, divine love of God” - and that phileo cannot mean, “brotherly love.” This has been done by simply quoting Bible passages that confound such definitions. Even those who have no knowledge of New Testament Greek can see these definitions are impossible - thus refuting the common teaching about biblical love. In order for you to find out what these Greek words actually do mean - and why so many “scholars” are in such tremendous error - you can find out in my free Ebook, “Love and the Bible” at my Website listed in the Author Bio. Of course … maybe an accurate understanding of what the Bible actually does teach about love is not really that important….

Copyright 2006

Francis Hirak asked:


When it comes to God And love, God’s love toward us is that of a father toward his children. ( Matt. 5:45) “That you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” He spares nothing that is for our good, no matter what the price is. God gave His only - begotten Son, Jesus Christ who died for our sins that we may be saved. (Rom.5:8) God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. This was an exercise of the Divine will in deliberate choice, made without assignable cause save that which lies in the nature of God Himself.

( Matt 5:44) Jesus commanded: “Love your enemies.” God Himself established the principle, as the apostle Paul states: (Rom 5:8-10) “God recommends His own love to us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us… For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life“. A wonderful instance of God and love is God’s dealing with Saul of Tarsus who became the apostle Paul (Acts 9:1-16). Loving our enemies, therefore, should be governed by the principle established by God and be exercised in obedience to His commandments, whether or not such love is accompanied by any warmth or affection.

A dictionary definition of love is: A feeling of warm, personal attachment of deep affection, as for a friend, for a parent or child, and so forth; also, the benevolent affection of God for His creatures or the reverent affection due from them to God; also, the kindly affection properly expressed by God’s creatures toward one another. One of the synonyms for love is “devotion.”

The Scriptures use “love” in all the forgoing meanings, and also add to the meaning of the word. Aside from those meanings, the Scriptures speak also of love guided by principle, as love of righteousness or even love for one’s enemies, for whom a person may not have affection. This facet or expression of love is an unselfish devotion to righteousness and a sincere concern for the lasting welfare of others, along with an active expression of this for their good.

All mankind, even a person’s own enemies, are to be loved and Christian works are to be exercised toward them. (Luke: 6:35-36) says: “Love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.” The Bible, commenting on the fruits of the spirit, of which love is first, says: “Against such things there is no law.” (Gal.5:22-23) says: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” This love has no law that can limit it. It may be practiced at any time or place to any extent toward those to whom it is due. In fact, the only debt Christians should be owing one another is love. (Rom. 13:8) says: “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.” This love for one another is an identifying mark of true Christians.- John 13:8.

As to God and Love we can be sure that love is of God. The apostle Paul writes: “God is love.” (1 John 4:8) says: “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” He also has other attributes, among them justice, power and wisdom. (Deut, 32:4) says: He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He. (Job. 36:22) says: “Behold, God is exalted by His power; Who teaches like Him?” (Rev, 7:12) says “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”

As for God and love, God also has the capacity to hate, a quality the very opposite of love. His love of righteousness requires his hatred of wickedness. ( Deut. 12:31) says: “You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way; for every abomination to the Lord which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods.” (Prov. 6:16) says: “These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him.”

How to love God is the ability to come to know God as oneself. Love can come only by seeking and following God’s spirit and the knowledge that comes from His Word. Love must be first to God, above all others. Otherwise, it will become misdirected. Knowing God’s purposes is essential, because one knows then what is best for his own welfare and that of others and will know how to express love in the proper way. This love to God is described in the Bible as loving Him with one’s whole heart, mind, soul and strength.’ (Matt. 22:36-38).

Love is primarily a quality of the heart. (1 Pet. 1:22) says: “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart.” We must know God and his qualities, and his purposes, and how he expresses them. (1 John. 4:7-8) says: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

When it comes to God’s children, sometimes we ask, “What is God’s love for me?”. We can rest assured on the evidence our God and Creator of the universe is love in abundance. This can be seen in His creation itself. With what remarkable care it has been made for our health and welfare. God made us, not only to exist, but to enjoy the countless delights of living. Moreover God displayed His love in making man in His image and likeness.(Gen.1:26) says: “Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”