Love in the King James Bible: An In-Depth Study

The Bible doesn’t present love as merely a feeling – it’s a command and calling for every believer. Both the Old and New Testaments instruct God’s people to practice love in all relationships:

Love God Wholeheartedly:

The foremost command is to love God with our entire being. Deuteronomy 6:5 teaches Israel, “Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might,” and Jesus later affirms this as the greatest commandment. God wants our devotion and affection – a total love that puts Him first in every aspect of life.

Love Your Neighbor as Yourself:

The second great commandment is to love our neighbor (the people around us) with the same care we have for ourselves.

In Leviticus 19:18 the LORD told the Israelites, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself,” and Jesus emphasizes that “there is none other commandment greater than these”. This means treating others with kindness, fairness, and empathy in daily life.

Love One Another in the Church:

Jesus gave a “new commandment” to His followers to love one another as He loved us (John 13:34-35).

The early Christians took this to heart. The Apostle John writes, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another”.

Christian love for fellow believers—expressed through service, patience, and forgiveness—is a testimony to the world (“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another,” John 13:35).

Love Your Enemies:

Perhaps the most challenging instruction is Jesus’ call to love our enemies. In the Sermon on the Mount, He said, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you” (Matthew 5:44, KJV).

This radical love refuses to retaliate or harbor hate. Instead, Jesus teaches us to respond with prayer and kindness even toward those who hurt us. By doing so, we reflect our Father’s merciful love (Matthew 5:45).

These instructions make it clear that love isn’t optional for a Christian – it’s commanded by God. The KJV often uses the word “charity” for this godly love, especially in passages like 1 Corinthians 13.

We are told that no matter our knowledge or gifts, if we lack love, we gain nothing.

Every day is an opportunity to obey these commands: to love God passionately and to show Christ-like love toward all – family and friends, strangers, and even opponents.

As 1 John 4:21 summarizes, “this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also” (1 John 4:20 - 4:21).

Living Examples of Love in Scripture

It’s inspiring to see how real people in the Bible exemplified godly love. Scripture is filled with stories of individuals who demonstrated selfless, faithful love in action:

Their story (Ruth 1:16-17) is a beautiful Old Testament example of loyal, family love (RUTH 1:16 KJV "And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou...").

In the Old Testament, one shining example is the love between Ruth and Naomi.

When Naomi, an Israelite widow, urged her Moabite daughters-in-law to return to their families, Ruth refused to leave Naomi’s side. She declared, “Whither thou goest, I will go… thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God” (RUTH 1:16 KJV).

Ruth’s steadfast devotion to care for Naomi, even in hardship, shows the power of family love and loyalty. God honored Ruth’s love by providing for them and including her in the lineage of King David and ultimately Jesus.

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ Himself is the ultimate example of love. He modeled love in countless ways – welcoming children with open arms, showing compassion to the multitudes, healing lepers and the blind, and even washing His disciples’ feet as a humble servant.

Jesus taught that no one has greater love than to lay down one’s life for friends, and He lived that truth by sacrificing Himself on the cross for us.

His tender encounter with children (Mark 10:13-16) shows His heart: “Suffer the little children to come unto me…for of such is the kingdom of God.” He loved the “least of these,” setting an example for us to do the same.

Other inspiring examples from Scripture include:

Jonathan’s Friendship with David

Jonathan, son of King Saul, loved his friend David as his own soul and protected him from harm. They made a covenant of friendship, demonstrating selfless, loyal love (1 SAMUEL 18:3 KJV "Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.").

Jonathan even risked his royal future to save David’s life. Their bond illustrates true friendship and sacrificial love.

The Good Samaritan

In Jesus’ parable (Luke 10:25-37), a Samaritan man stops to help a wounded stranger after a priest and Levite passed by. He bandages the man’s wounds, puts him on his own donkey, and pays for his care (Luke 10:25 - 10:37).

This story shows love in action toward one’s “neighbor” – crossing cultural boundaries to show mercy. It’s a vivid example of loving others (even outsiders or enemies) with compassion.

The Father of the Prodigal Son

Jesus’ parable in Luke 15:11-32 portrays a father who joyfully welcomes home his wayward son. Despite the son’s mistakes, the father runs to embrace him, forgiving him completely. This illustrates God’s unconditional, forgiving love, always ready to receive a repentant child.

Stephen’s Forgiveness

The early Christian martyr Stephen, as he was being stoned to death, cried out, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge” (Acts 7:60). Loving his enemies to the very end, Stephen mirrored Jesus’ forgiving love on the cross.

The Early Church’s Care

The first believers showed brotherly love by sharing their possessions and caring for each other. In Acts 2:44-45, they pooled resources to ensure no one among them lacked. Such radical generosity demonstrated love in community, fulfilling Jesus’ command to love one another.

Each of these examples – and many more – encourage us that by God’s grace we too can live out this kind of love. The same God who worked love in Ruth, Jonathan, the Good Samaritan, and the apostles can cultivate selfless love in our hearts today.

The Blessings of Walking in Love

Walking in love doesn’t just fulfill a duty; it brings tremendous blessings to our lives. When we choose love, we open the door for God’s favor and many positive results, both spiritually and practically. Here are some blessings that flow from a life of love:

Closer Fellowship with God & Confidence:

The Bible teaches that “God is love,” and those who live in love live in God (1 John 4:16). When we love others, we experience a closer fellowship with God Himself.

We also enjoy a life free from crippling fear. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear,” writes John (BIBLE VERSES ABOUT LOVE THY NEIGHBOR). Knowing we are loved by God and extending that love to others gives us peace and confidence, removing fear of judgment.

Fulfillment of God’s Word:

Love isn’t opposed to obedience – it fulfills it. “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law,” Paul explains (Topical Bible: The Theme of Love).

All of God’s commandments (not stealing, not lying, honoring God, etc.) are summed up when we truly love God and people. By walking in love, we end up doing what is right naturally. This brings the blessing of a clear conscience and a life aligned with God’s will.

Inner Joy and Emotional Blessing:

A life of love is a life of joy. Loving relationships – whether marriage, family, friendship, or church community – fill our hearts with warmth and happiness. Jesus said He taught us to abide in His love “that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15:10-11).

Showing kindness, forgiving others, and helping those in need all bring a deep sense of fulfillment that selfish living never can.

Reward from God:

God notices acts of love done in His name, even the ones no one else sees.

Jesus promised that if we love our enemies and do good without expecting payback, “your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest” (LUKE 6:35 KJV "But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great,...").

There are spiritual rewards now (greater faith and character) and eternal rewards in heaven for those who love faithfully. Loving others stores up treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:20) and we hear God’s gentle affirmation in our hearts.

Unity, Peace, and Forgiveness:

Love knits people together. In a home or church, when everyone seeks the good of others, there is unity and peace.

The Bible says “above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8 - King James Bible).

Loving one another enables us to forgive and overlook offenses, preventing bitterness. It “covers” sins in the sense that it heals relationships – minor grievances are absorbed by love and don’t turn into larger conflicts. This brings the blessing of harmony and lasting friendships.

Truly, a lifestyle of love brings life to our spirits. It invites God’s presence, chases away fear and strife, and replaces them with joy, peace, and purpose.

As Jesus said, “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them” – there is a happiness that comes from obeying His command to love. We reap what we sow: sow love, and you will reap blessings.

Love in Symbols and Metaphors: Covenant, Shepherd, Heart, and More

Because love is such a rich concept, the Bible often describes it using symbolism and metaphors. These word-pictures help us grasp the depth of God’s love and the kind of love we’re called to have. Here are a few powerful symbols and analogies for love in Scripture:

In John 10:11, He says, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep,” showing His sacrificial love for us (JOHN 10:11 KJV "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.").

Shepherd & Sheep:

One of the most tender metaphors is that of a shepherd with his flock. God is compared to a shepherd who cares devotedly for His sheep.

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want,” David sings in Psalm 23, expressing trust in God’s loving care. Jesus fulfills this image when He declares, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” (JOHN 10:11 KJV "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.")

He protects, guides, and even lays down His life for us, His sheep. This symbol shows love as care, guidance, and self-sacrifice – just as a good shepherd knows each sheep by name and rescues them (Luke 15:4-6), Jesus knows and rescues us.

We in turn demonstrate love by caring for others in their need, as a shepherd would gently carry a lamb.

Marriage Covenant:

The Bible often uses marriage as a picture of the covenant love between God and His people. In the Old Testament, Israel is described as God’s bride – though unfaithful at times, God’s “lovingkindness” remains.

“I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness…and in lovingkindness,” God says to Israel (Topical Bible: The Theme of Love).

In the New Testament, Christ is the heavenly Bridegroom and the Church is His beloved Bride (Ephesians 5:25-27, Revelation 19:7).

Just as a husband and wife pledge exclusive, lifelong love, God’s love is faithful and unbreakable. And our love for Him is to be like a bride’s devotion – pure and wholehearted. This marriage metaphor speaks of intimacy, faithfulness, and devotion.

Parent and Child:

Another common symbol is God as a loving Father (and even a nurturing Mother in a few passages) and believers as His children.

“Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him” (Psalm 103:13).

And Jesus likened His longing over Jerusalem to a mother hen gathering chicks under her wings (Luke 13:34). These images convey God’s tender compassion and protective love for us.

A parent works tirelessly to provide for and guide their child – so God’s love supplies our needs, disciplines us for our good, and never gives up on us. In response, we’re called to love God with the trusting, affectionate heart of a child (Romans 8:15).

The Human Heart: The heart is used in Scripture as the seat of love and devotion.

When God commands us to “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart” (Topical Bible: The Theme of Love), it implies sincerity and depth of feeling.

God doesn’t want empty words; He wants our innermost self (our heart) to beat with love for Him. The new covenant promise in Scripture is that God will give us a new heart – soft and receptive – in place of a stony heart (Ezekiel 36:26).

That transformed heart enables true love. Thus, a “heart” symbolizes the very center of love, reminding us that real love is internal and genuine, not just outward actions.

We often use the heart symbol today to mean love, and in the Bible it’s much the same – love comes from the heart.

Sacrifice (The Lamb & The Cross):

The ultimate symbol of love in the Bible is sacrifice. Jesus is called the “Lamb of God” (John 1:29), pointing to the sacrificial system of the Old Testament where a lamb was offered to atone for sin.

Those lambs foreshadowed Christ’s loving sacrifice on the Cross.

“God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son” (Topical Bible: The Theme of Love) – the cross stands as the enduring emblem of divine love.

Every time we see a cross, we remember “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us” (1 John 3:16).

In our lives, love often involves sacrifice too (giving up time, comfort, or resources for another’s good).

Jesus said “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (Topical Bible: The Theme of Love) The willingness to sacrifice self is the highest expression of love.

These metaphors – a devoted shepherd, a committed spouse, a caring parent, a new heart, a sacrificial lamb – each highlight different facets of love.

They enrich our understanding by comparing love to things we can picture and relate to. God masterfully uses these images to communicate His love for us and to call us to a higher love.

As we meditate on them, we gain a deeper appreciation for the divine love story woven through Scripture.

From Old to New: Love Through the Testaments

One of the most beautiful truths of the Bible is that God’s love is consistent from the Old Testament through the New.

Sometimes people mistakenly think the Old Testament is only about law and judgment while the New Testament is about love.

In reality, love is the golden thread tying both testaments together, revealing a God who is the same “yesterday, today, and forever.” Let’s trace how the theme of love develops and is fulfilled from the Old to the New Testament:

Law of Love in the Old Testament:

The foundation was laid early on – God instructed His people Israel to love. Deuteronomy 6:5 (the Shema) called Israel to “love the LORD thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”

And Leviticus 19:18 taught them to “love thy neighbour as thyself.” These weren’t secondary ideas; Jesus later said these two commands sum up “all the law and the prophets.” (Topical Bible: The Theme of Love)

In other words, the entire Old Testament law was pointing toward love – love for God vertically and love for others horizontally.

We see glimpses of individuals living this out (as we saw with Ruth, Jonathan, etc.), and we also see God repeatedly reminding Israel to show love, even to strangers and enemies (for example, Proverbs 25:21 urged kindness to enemies, a verse Paul quotes in Romans 12:20).

Although the Old Covenant had many rituals, its heart was love – God desired steadfast love more than sacrifice (Hosea 6:6).

God’s Lovingkindness and Promise:

The Old Testament writers often praise God’s “lovingkindness” (Hebrew hesed – meaning steadfast love or covenant loyalty). They experienced God’s mercy and faithful love throughout Israel’s history.

The Psalms exclaim that “His mercy (lovingkindness) endureth forever.” And through the prophets God spoke tenderly of His everlasting love.

For example, God says in Jeremiah, “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” (Jeremiah 31:3 - King James Bible)

Despite Israel’s failures, God’s love never gave up on them. Importantly, the Old Testament also points forward to a Messiah – a savior who would be the ultimate expression of God’s love.

Prophecies like Isaiah 53 describe a suffering servant who would bear our sins (a profound act of love), and others like Isaiah 9:6 announce “unto us a child is born” – a gift of love to the world. The stage was set for the greatest love story ever told.

Love Incarnate in the New Testament:

The New Testament declares the fulfillment of all those hopes – Jesus Christ is God’s love in person. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son” (Topical Bible: The Theme of Love), John 3:16 says.

In Jesus, the invisible God’s love was made visible. Christ’s life, teachings, death, and resurrection demonstrated a love beyond all expectation.

He reached out to the marginalized, forgave sinners, and ultimately died for us “while we were yet sinners” (Romans 5:8).

This was the fulfillment of the Old Testament promise – the type of sacrificial love hinted at in stories like Abraham offering Isaac or the Passover lamb was now a reality in Jesus, the Lamb of God.

On the cross, Jesus fulfilled the prophetic words “He was wounded for our transgressions” – a willing sacrifice driven by divine love.

Continuity of the Command:

Jesus reaffirmed the central commandments of the Old Testament, highlighting love. When asked about the greatest commandment, He quoted Deuteronomy and Leviticus, giving us the two Great Commandments to love God and love our neighbor (Topical Bible: The Theme of Love).

Far from discarding the old commands, Jesus elevated and fulfilled them. He even expanded our understanding by teaching us to love beyond the confines of nation or friend – e.g., the Good Samaritan story expands “neighbor” to include anyone in need, even an enemy.

Thus, the ethic of love continues seamlessly from the Law and Prophets into the Gospel.

The Apostle Paul can say, “All the law is fulfilled in one word: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Galatians 5:14), showing the continuity.

Types and Shadows Realized:

Many Old Testament types (foreshadowing symbols) find their fulfillment in Christ’s loving work.

For instance, when Abraham didn’t withhold his beloved son Isaac on Mount Moriah, it was a picture of God the Father not sparing His own Son for us – except God actually went through with it, providing Jesus as the sacrifice.

The story of Joseph forgiving his brothers prefigures Christ forgiving those who betrayed and crucified Him, praying “Father, forgive them.” Boaz redeeming Ruth out of love points to our Redeemer Jesus who out of love redeemed us, the Church, making us His bride.

Time and again, the New Testament notes these fulfillments: Jesus is the new Adam (succeeding where Adam failed out of love for His bride, the Church), Jesus is the greater Jonah (who spent three days in the earth to save), etc.

Love is at the heart of each fulfillment – what was in shadow before is now clear in Jesus.

One Unchanging God of Love:

By the end of Revelation, we see that God’s plan from the start was rooted in love and will culminate in love.

The New Jerusalem is pictured like a adorned bride (Revelation 21:2), united with God forever – a scene of ultimate love and fellowship. First John 4:8 tells us “God is love,” and that truth spans both covenants.

The same God who revealed Himself to Moses as “merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth” (Exodus 34:6) is revealed in Jesus as a God who “so loved” us that He gave Himself.

There is no contradiction. The Old Testament gives us the promise of love; the New Testament gives us the person of love in Christ and the power to love through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5).

Understanding this continuity boosts our faith. It means every page of Scripture, old or new, carries the message of love. The Old Testament’s calls to justice, mercy, and covenant loyalty were all expressions of love, and they find their full expression in the gospel of Jesus.

As Christians reading the whole Bible, we can rejoice that “the truth of God’s Word endures forever” – and that truth is, and always has been, centered on love.

Charity, Lovingkindness, and Related Biblical Concepts

The Bible uses a rich vocabulary to talk about love. Different terms highlight various shades of meaning, and understanding them can deepen our appreciation. Here are some key related concepts in Scripture:

Charity:

In the King James Bible, the word “charity” is often used where we might use “love” today, especially for the highest form of love (selfless, God-like love).

For example, 1 Corinthians 13 famously says “charity suffereth long, and is kind…” and concludes “now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”

This isn’t talking about charitable donations, but the pure love that comes from God. The reason the KJV translators used charity is that the Greek word agape refers to unconditional, sacrificial love.

So whenever you see charity in the KJV, think “love in action.” It’s love that is patient, kind, not self-seeking or easily angered – the kind of love God shows us and wants us to show others (Topical Bible: The Theme of Love).

In modern language we’d simply say “love,” but it’s helpful to remember that biblical charity means a generous, benevolent love that gives without expecting in return.

Lovingkindness (Steadfast Love):

Lovingkindness is a beautiful Old Testament word (translating Hebrew hesed) that combines love, kindness, and loyalty. It’s one of the chief attributes of God in the OT.

When the Bible says “O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever” (Psalm 136:1), the word “mercy” is often this hesed, meaning God’s steadfast covenant-love.

Some newer Bibles say “love” or “steadfast love” there. The KJV frequently renders it as lovingkindness. It refers to God’s faithful, merciful love – the kind that sticks by His people even when they fail.

“The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth” is how God described Himself to Moses (Topical Bible: The Theme of Love) (that “goodness” is His lovingkindness).

This concept is closely tied to God’s covenant; He promised to love Israel, and He steadfastly kept that promise.

As believers, when we talk about God’s unfailing love, His grace, His mercy – we are often touching on this Hebrew idea of lovingkindness.

It’s a loyal love that we too are called to emulate: being faithful and kind in our relationships, reflecting God’s enduring love.

Mercy and Compassion:

Mercy is showing kindness or forgiveness to someone when punishment or harm is justified. It’s a form of love responding to someone’s misery or failure with compassion instead of anger.

The Bible often pairs “merciful and gracious” – God is both, because His love moves Him to show mercy.

Ephesians 2:4 says, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us…” (EPHESIANS 2:4 KJV "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,") – in other words, it was God’s great love that caused Him to be rich in mercy toward us.

Jesus taught, “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7), encouraging us to show the same forgiveness and compassion to others that God has shown us.

Compassion is a similar term – literally “suffering with” someone – meaning our heart is moved by the plight of others.

The Gospels frequently note that Jesus was “moved with compassion” when He saw people suffering or lost. Compassion is love in its tender hearted form – feeling the pain of another and desiring to help.

We’re called to “put on…bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind” (Colossians 3:12 KJV), essentially to clothe ourselves with a compassionate, merciful love.

When we forgive someone who hurt us or help someone in need, we are practicing mercy and compassion, key aspects of biblical love.

Grace:

Grace is another word often linked with love. Grace means undeserved favor – a gift we didn’t earn. Why does God show grace to us (such as forgiving our sins or giving us eternal life)? Because of His love.

We saw in Ephesians 2 that “by grace ye are saved” and that this flows from God’s rich mercy and great love (EPHESIANS 2:4 KJV "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,").

Grace can be thought of as love reaching downward – God stooping to bless those who could never merit it. When we show grace to others, it means we treat them better than they deserve because we love them.

For instance, overlooking an insult instead of retaliating is an act of grace; so is helping someone who has nothing to offer us in return.

The term “lovingkindness” in the Old Testament could even be translated as “love and grace” combined. We love because God first loved us (1 John 4:19), and we extend grace because we’ve received so much grace.

Where mercy is often about withholding punishment, grace is about giving goodness. Both spring from love. In short, whenever you hear about the grace of God, remember that it is essentially the love of God freely poured out on undeserving people.

Brotherly Love (Philadelphia):

The New Testament also speaks of “brotherly love.” The Greek word philadelphia is used, meaning fraternal love – the kind of affectionate friendship ideally found between siblings or close friends.

Romans 12:10 says, “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love.” This concept emphasizes warmth and camaraderie among believers.

We aren’t just commanded to love in a dutiful way; we’re encouraged to genuinely like and care for each other as family. Early Christians called each other “brother” and “sister” and meant it.

Developing brotherly love means fostering affection, loyalty, and a sense of belonging with our fellow Christians. It’s what makes a church not just a congregation, but a family.

In practical terms, that means rejoicing with those who rejoice, weeping with those who weep (Romans 12:15), bearing each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), and enjoying fellowship. It’s an integral part of the life of love.

Agape:

Lastly, it’s worth noting the term behind many of these concepts in the New Testament – agape.

This Greek word, often translated as love (or charity in KJV), refers to the highest, most unselfish love. It’s not based on emotion or attraction, but on willful care and valuing of another.

Agape is the love God has for us and that He commands us to have for Him and others.

It’s the main subject of 1 Corinthians 13 and 1 John 4. When we talk about Christian love, it’s essentially agape love – self-giving, unconditional, and righteous.

It seeks the best for others, even at cost to oneself. All the related concepts (mercy, grace, compassion, kindness) are like different hues in the spectrum of agape love.

The Holy Spirit enables us to manifest this love (Galatians 5:22 lists love as the first fruit of the Spirit). It’s a love that originates in God, permeates the teachings of Jesus, and is meant to be the defining trait of His followers.

By understanding these related terms – charity, lovingkindness, mercy, compassion, grace, brotherly love – we get a fuller picture of what biblical love looks like.

They remind us that love is active (charity), steadfast (lovingkindness), forgiving (mercy), empathetic (compassion), generous (grace), and warm (brotherly affection).

All of these flow from the very nature of God and are to be reflected in our lives. When we pray, “Lord, make me more loving,” He is shaping us to grow in all these dimensions.

“See How They Love One Another”: Historical Insights on Biblical Love

Understanding the historical context of the Bible can make its teaching on love even more vivid. When and where these commands were given, and how believers lived them out in history, adds depth to our study:

Ancient Israel’s Witness:

In the Old Testament era, Israel’s call to love God exclusively was revolutionary. Surrounded by pagan nations who appeased capricious gods, Israel worshiped a God who desired their love, not just fear.

Likewise, the command to love one’s neighbor and even the stranger (see Deuteronomy 10:19) set them apart in a harsh ancient world.

When Israel showed kindness to the poor, the widow, and the foreigner, they demonstrated Yahweh’s compassionate character in a way that neighboring peoples would notice.

The idea of hesed (steadfast love) was embedded in their covenant law – for example, God instituted regular times like the Year of Jubilee to reset debts and free slaves, which was an act of national compassion and mercy.

These practices were counter-cultural and highlighted the beauty of God’s law of love.

Jesus’ World:

By the time of Jesus, Jewish teachers agreed that loving God and neighbor were the greatest commandments, but the definition of “neighbor” was often debated.

Many limited it to their fellow Israelites. Jesus blew apart those limits by using a Good Samaritan (a foreigner considered an enemy) as the hero of His love-your-neighbor parable. Imagine the shock of His audience – it would be like telling a story today where a despised outsider is the one who shows true love.

Jesus was making the point that everyone is our neighbor. Also, under brutal Roman occupation, Jesus taught love of enemies – a radically different response than the Zealots who preached violent resistance.

His message of love was not preached in comfortable times but in the midst of injustice and tension.

Yet, He showed by example (even from the cross, forgiving His executioners) that love is stronger than hate. Knowing this context, we appreciate how courageous and transformative Jesus’ teaching on love really was.

The Early Church:

After Christ’s resurrection, His followers endeavored to live out His command of love, and it astonished the ancient world. Tertullian, a Christian writer in the 2nd century, recorded that the pagans would look at the Christian communities and exclaim, “See how they love one another!” (A Love Without Condition - History of the Early Church).

This was said not with sarcasm, but genuine amazement. Believers from different backgrounds (Jews, Greeks, Romans, Africans, rich, poor, formerly enslaved and free) called each other brother and sister and cared for one another.

In an era of frequent plagues and disasters, Christians became famous for staying behind to nurse the sick, even non-Christians, whom others would abandon.

One historian notes that during a devastating plague, Christians risked their lives to help the sick and dying, while many pagans even cast out their own ill family members (A Love Without Condition - History of the Early Church). Such compassion had never been seen on that scale.

The church also rescued abandoned infants (a common practice was to leave unwanted babies to die) and cared for widows and orphans. This practical mercy was a powerful testimony that the teaching of Christ was not just words.

Martyrs and Forgiveness:

Many early Christians were martyred for their faith, yet they died with words of forgiveness and love on their lips, much like Stephen in Acts. This left a mark on those who witnessed it.

Stories abound of Christian martyrs praying for their executioners or refusing to retaliate when tortured. Such supernatural love led many to convert to Christianity, convinced that only the true God could enable people to love their enemies like that.

The blood of the martyrs was said to be the seed of the Church, and love was the fertilizing agent in that soil.

Terminology:

Historically, it’s also interesting to note how language conveys love. The New Testament was written in Greek, which has multiple words for love (eros for romantic love, philia for friendship, storge for family affection, and agape for unconditional love).

The Christians basically took agape and made it their hallmark, filling it with the meaning of Christ’s love. When the Hebrew Scriptures were translated to Greek (the Septuagint), they often used agape to translate God’s love (ahavah) and lovingkindness (hesed).

So there was a continuity in language as well. The King James Version, completed in 1611, used the word charity for agape in certain passages to emphasize that it’s a active love.

In 17th-century English, “charity” meant much more than giving to the poor; it meant the whole disposition of goodwill and benevolence toward others. Understanding that helps modern readers not misunderstand verses like 1 Corinthians 13.

Living it Out Today:

Fast forward to now – whenever Christians have taken the Bible’s teaching on love seriously, they have impacted society. Hospitals, orphanages, abolition of slavery, disaster relief, and countless humanitarian efforts have roots in Christian love.

Of course, not all who claimed Christ have lived up to His love, but those who have (think Mother Teresa in the slums of India, for example) shine as bright lights.

The historical legacy of biblical love is vast. It challenges us in our modern context: will people look at us and say “see how they love one another” as they did of the early church? We stand on the shoulders of generations of believers who sought to apply God’s love in their world.

Seeing the historical context shows that the call to love is not easy or trivial – it was counter-cultural in ancient times and remains so today. But it also shows that living out Christ-like love has immense power to touch lives and transform societies.

The early church didn’t conquer the Roman Empire by force; it was the force of their love and witness that eventually turned hearts and minds (under God’s power). In every era, when Christians truly obey the command to love, the world notices and God is glorified.

Conclusion: The Greatest of These is Love

As we conclude our journey through the theme of love in the Bible, we are left in awe of how central and beautiful this virtue is. Love is not just one attribute of God – the Bible says God is love (1 John 4:8). It’s the very essence of His character. He created us out of love, saved us out of love, and commands us to live in love.

For us as believers, love is the ultimate test and expression of our faith. Jesus boiled down all the commandments to “Love God and love your neighbor.” Paul said that without love, all our knowledge or sacrifice means nothing. And Peter taught that above all, we should have fervent love among ourselves. It truly is the greatest thing.

When we love, we reflect the light of Christ in a dark world. Our churches become warm, welcoming families. Our marriages and friendships become beacons of God’s faithfulness. Even our enemies get a glimpse of God’s grace.

May we take to heart all these Scriptures and examples. Let’s allow the Holy Spirit to write the law of love on our hearts each day. We have seen what love looks like in action through Ruth, Jonathan, the Good Samaritan, our Lord Jesus, and the early church. Now it’s our turn to live it. As we do, we will experience the blessings promised – the peace, joy, and presence of God that come from walking in love.

In a world full of noise, hatred, and division, God’s Word invites us into “a more excellent way” (1 Corinthians 12:31b) – the way of love. It’s my prayer that each of us can say, like the hymn, “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.” When we fully believe in the truth of God’s Word – that we are dearly loved, and called to dearly love – it changes everything. Truly, “the greatest of these is love.”

Let’s go out and live in that love. God be with you.