DOCTRINE OF LOVE
I.
Preliminary
considerations:
A.
Love is described in
scripture as an attribute expressed by both God and man.
B.
In both cases, for
this attribute to be expressed, there must be an object animate or inanimate,
towards which to express.
C.
It is the
expression/assertion of love in the Bible that proves to be complex in
understanding of its application.
D.
There are three
distinct levels of application of love taught in Scripture:
1.
Sexual love.
2.
Affectionate or
brotherly/natural love.
3.
Divine love.
E.
Of these three levels
of application, it is Divine love that completes all other love and ultimately
places love within the parameters of Divine viewpoint and obedience to God.
II.
Vocabulary:
A.
Hebrew:
1.
bhea' – (-aheb)
Verb: Root meaning to desire, to pant
after, to long for, to love. Translated
beloved, dearly love, friend, lover.
Used of God only in a good sense; used of men in both a good and bad
context.
2.
hb'h/a; - (-ahabah) Noun, a cognate of –aheb:
Means love or lovesick.
3.
dwOD – (dod) Noun: Means
love, lover, beloved. Used of an object
of love, a loved one, or a relative.
4.
qv;x' – (chashaq)
Verb: Root meaning to be attached to, to be joined together, to cleave. Translated longs, loved, pleased.
5.
bg:[' – (agab)
Verb: To have inordinate affection, to
lust after. Used of love for idolatry
Eze.23:5,7,9
6.
ds,x, - (chesed)
Noun: Means goodness or kindness. Translated loyalty, loyal love called loving
kindness, faithfulness, unchanging love.
B.
Greek:
1.
There are only two
word groups in the New Testament to define love.
2.
It is through the use
of these two families of words that one draws a distinction in nuance of their
application.
3.
file,w – (phileo)
Verb: To love, to have affection for
something or someone.
4.
fili,a – (philia)
Noun: Friendship, affection.
5.
fi,loj – (philos)
Noun: A friend, love.
6.
filadelfi,a – (
7.
The above word group looks to
the attributes of the one to whom love is expressed.
8.
avgapa,w – (agapao)
Verb: To love. Used primarily of God’s love. It may or may not include affection or an
emotional attachment. It denotes a
commitment, fidelity, sacrifice and obedience towards the object. It is used technically for application of
Bible Doctrine under the filling ministry of God the Holy Spirit.
9.
avga,ph – (agape)
Noun: An abused word in the
fundamentalist world. Means love. It has the same nuance as agapao and is used
for Divine love. It is not
sentimental/maudlin/gushing/syrupy in application but is the overt expression
of Divine good (Rom.12:9). Again, when
applied to men, it is love produced from Bible doctrine in the soul, in FHS.
10. This word group emphasizes love based on the attributes of
the one expressing love not dependent upon the attributes to whom love is
expressed.
11. It is in the gospel accounts that the clear distinction of
nuance between phileo and agape love is presented. Joh.15:13
Love (agape) is seen as an application of sacrifice; philos is
translated as “friends” and denotes those whom the one who makes the sacrifice
towards as being someone with whom there is a natural affection or emotional
tie. Joh.21:15-17 The word “love” in
Jesus’ question to Peter is vss.15-16 is agapao while Peter’s response is
phileo. Vs.17 Jesus changes “love” in
his question to phileo love to emphasize that Peter’s affection is ok but not
the “true/Divine love” that He is speaking of unless Peter fulfills the
imperatives Jesus has presented.
12. There is no Greek word used in the New Testament to express
sexual love, however e;rwj – the Greek word for
sexual love is used in the LXX. Pro.7:18
(translated “caresses” and denotes sexual enjoyment. The Hebrew word used is dod.); Pro.30:16
(translated “barren womb” and via context expresses a desire for sexual
relations in order to produce offspring.)
III.
The three levels of
employment of love further defined.
A.
Sexual love refers to
the sexual partnership as a legitimate expression of love in the Divine
institution of marriage:
1.
This love is reserved
for husband and wife and only in the context of marriage. 1Cor.7:2; cp. Pro.5:15-20
2.
God designed sexual
love for both recreation and procreation as designated in the Old
Testament. Gen.2:22-25; cp. 1:27,28
3.
It is commanded for
the husband and wife. 1Cor.7:3,4
4.
The omission of a
particular “love” word in the N.T. in the context of sexual love is to
highlight that the sex act in and of itself alone does not reflect “love”.
Rather, it also requires the application of the married partners towards
one another evolving around the communion that portrays sexual love fully. 1Cor.7:
vs.2 – “But because of (sexual) immoralities (sex outside marriage
initiated through the STA), let each man
have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband (employs
monogamy and fidelity). vs.3 – Let the husband fulfill his duty (ovfeilh,/sexually that what is due/owed/debt) to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband (Neither
party is to deny one another sexually whether it stems from an emotional
affection or a natural drive/libido). vs.4 – The wife does not have authority (evxousia.zw/to have the right or power over) over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband
does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does (Sexual love
comes from a reciprocating act of submission of their bodies, demanding a respect/natural
affection towards one another and thus providing sexual satisfaction for both
parties).
5.
Sexual love is not
divorced from agape since it requires a fulfillment of God’s word and a
volitional choice of both parties in its application. (Sexual love was designed by God not to be
separated from soul love, but in addition to it. Gen.2:24)
6.
In addition, sexual
love pictures the unity and like-mindedness spiritually of husband and wife,
which according to agape should accompany the physical unity in
relationships. Phil.2:2
7.
Application of
doctrine under the filling ministry of God the Holy Spirit increases closeness
between partners rather than detracting from it.
8.
Sexual love is a bond
and source of closeness and pleasure that is much abused by the cosmos.
B.
Affectionate love
(phileo) is love that focuses primarily on the feelings or affections that are
generated by the object of the love. It
is a natural response one has based on the affinity/fondness/attraction one has
towards the object. The object may be
bonafide (ex. our brothers and sisters in Christ) or non-bonafide, animate or
inanimate, physical or spiritual. It
centers of the attributes of the object loved.
1.
Other than our
affection for and devotion to our brothers and sisters in Christ, this love is
not commanded. Rom.12:10; 1Thess.4:9;
Heb.13:1; 1Pet.1:22; 2 Pet.1:7 (It is of interest to note that in three of
these verses [1Thess., 1Pet., 2Pet., agape is associated with phileo love.)
2.
Phileo stems from
affinity based on a common/close relationship, common ideas or common desire.
3.
This love exists
because of some concrete/actual, physical or emotional reason that prompts it;
for example, a family relationship or something that the object does for the
one who loves in this manner.
4.
This love often deals
with emotions that are pleasurable.
5.
Due to this, it may
be based on selfish reasons or motivations.
6.
Phileo can be good or
bad depending on the reasons for its existence:
a.
Bad – Mat.6:5; 10:37;
23:6; 1Tim.6:10; 2 Tim.3:4
b.
Good – Joh.5:20;
Ti.2:4
7.
God possesses this
affection/natural bond for believers.
Joh.16:27
C.
Divine love
(agapao/agape) is the most far-reaching kind of love. Emotions are not the motivator of this
love. In fact, emotional considerations
are moot with regard to its application.
This love does not depend on the merit of the object. Rather, it is comprised of the mental
attitude willingness (deliberate choice) to set aside one’s own ideas, plans,
good welfare/advantage, feelings etc., and do what is in the best interest of
the object, in the good/Divine sense, spiritually.
1.
Agape is an attribute
of divine Essence. 1Joh.4:8 “…for God is love.”
2.
It is equally present
in all three members of the Godhead:
a.
The Father: Joh.3:16
b.
The Son: Rom.8:35-37; Eph.5:2
c.
The Holy Spirit: Rom.15:30
3.
God’s love does not
exist apart from His righteousness and justice.
Therefore, it is not sentimental but faithful. Since God acts according to standards of His
own absolute righteousness (+R), His love is not motivated by personal
considerations, nor is it based on the merits of the recipients. It is based solely on His own righteous
character. Rom.5:8-10; Eph.2:4,5;
1Joh.4:10
4.
Since each member of
the Godhead is +R, it follows that each member of the Trinity loves the
other. cp. Joh.17:1-23
5.
The agape love of God
is most closely resembled by the Hebrew word chesed. Chesed has the nuance of
loyalty/faithfulness/fidelity/mercy/ kindness/immutability. It is this word that emphasizes that which
governs God’s love:
a.
Love is an extension
of God’s +R and +J. Psa.89:14
b.
God reveals these
three attributes together. Jer.9:24
c.
His love reveals His
mercy and is consistent/immutable/ unchanging.
Mic.7:18
d.
His love is not apart
from BD but goes hand-in-hand with it.
Psa.85:10 “Lovingkindness (chesed
– merciful love) and truth have met
together (the reality of that being in the person of Jesus Christ); Righteousness and peace have kissed each
other (because Christ fulfilled the Law qualifying Him as sin bearer,
reconciliation has been achieved).
e.
Divine love promotes
justice either good (Psa.62:12) or bad (Exo.34:7; Num.14:18).
f.
It is the volition of
the individual that renders Divine love as a love of substance and real or
makes it empty/vacant of reality.
Deu.5:10; Psa.25:10; Psa.86:5 “…to
all who call upon You.”
g.
There is absence of
Divine love in the life of the unrighteous, but it comes in spades to the
righteous. Psa.32:10
6.
Agapao is also used
in a bad context where it embraces the idea of
“commitment/allegiance/loyalty ” to an object. Joh.3:19; 1Joh.2:15
7.
It is of interest to
note that the writers of the LXX render God’s love for +R and +J as agapao
though His faithfulness to the entirety of His plan “fills” the earth. Psa.33:5 “He
loves (agapao) righteousness and
justice; The earth is full of the faithful love of the Lord.” cp.vs.4.
8.
Divine love also
requires a sacrifice in its application.
Joh.3:16
9.
Believers are
commanded to have this love.
10. For believers to have this love, they must fall under the
same parameters of restrictions and sacrifice as God’s love while maintaining
total integrity to the truth.
Joh.17:23,26
11. This love by believers originates in the soul under the
filling of God the Holy Spirit and is demonstrated by the willingness to make
whatever application is necessary within the parameters of BD.
12. Because emotions are neutral in the application of this
love and the worthiness or merit of the individual to which it is expressed is
a non-issue, it is possible for us to have agape/love even for our
enemies. Luk.6:27,35
13. Because Divine love originates from the Holy Spirit, it is
impossible for unbelievers to possess it; it is also impossible for the
believer to express it who is out of fellowship and not therefore, ruled by God
and Bible doctrine. Gal.5:22
D.
Agapao focuses
primarily on the spiritual welfare/interest of the object while phileo focuses
on the gravitational affection generated by the object.
IV.
Love and the
Attributes of God.
A.
Love is but one of
the attributes of God’s essence, which also includes Absolute Righteousness,
Justice, Eternal Life, Immutability, Veracity, Omniscience, Omnipotence,
Omnipresence and Sovereignty.
B.
Righteousness and
justice are the “watchdogs” of God’s essence.
C.
All other attributes
must check their expression if they would violate +R in their expression.
D.
God’s love is only
expressed in accordance with +R and +J; otherwise, it would be partial and thus
He would cease to be totally +R.
Exo.34:6,7; Deu.7:6-11
E.
While God loves all
of mankind, His love is limited in benefit based on His +R and +J.
F.
It is thus restricted
due to –V. Joh.5:42
G.
Since God is
immutable, His love is eternal and unchanging.
Mic.7:18-20
H.
God loves (agapao)
the world. Joh.3:16
I.
However, He both
loves (agapao) and has affection (phileo) for the believer. 1Joh.4:9-19 (agapao); cp. Joh.16:27 (phileo)
J.
To “blanket” state
that God’s love is “unconditional” or “unlimited” is a misnomer based on His
essence and these terms if applied to His love should be minimally qualified
with the proper doctrines such as:
unlimited atonement, impartiality, grace, fills, etc.
V.
God’s love and the
SAJG.
A.
Due to the fall of
Adam, all of mankind possesses the indwelling OSN/STA and thus born spiritually
dead. Rom.5:12
B.
In this condition,
mankind produces sins that are violations of God’s +R character. Rom.3:23; 5:19
C.
In their fallen condition,
mankind is alienated from god, hostile toward God and totally deserving of His
wrath. Rom.5:10; Eph.2:3; 4:17-18
D.
In spite of this,
God’s love motivated Him to provide salvation for His enemies. Rom.1:16-17
E.
He provided what was
necessary in His son, Jesus Christ, who took upon Himself, the sins of
mankind. 2Cor.5:21; 1Pet.2:24
F.
Because of His great
love, God sacrificed His own perfect Son on behalf of sinners. Rom.5:8
G.
God’s love was based
on His integrity, not on our merit.
1Joh.4:10
H.
Since Christ died for
all men, salvation is potential for all mankind (unlimited atonement),
contingent only on their faith in His Son.
1Tim.4:10; 1Joh.2:2
I.
God’s love does not
motivate Him to violate Divine Institution #1 by forcing anyone to believe.
J.
God loves all of
mankind, but He will personally cast the majority of them into the lake of
fire. Mat.7:13,14
K.
His love will not
cause even on exception to be made, even in matters of eternal consequence as
all unbelievers will come under eternal separation. Rev.20:15
VI.
There are 5
categories that the 3 levels of love are to be applied by believers.
A.
Category 1 love is
the believer’s love for God.
1.
Many believers make
claim, as to the love they possess for God.
2.
If we clearly
understand how God defines and evaluates love for His person, pseudo
professions will not take us in.
Eze.33:30-32
3.
Love for God is
commanded and therefore a volitional decision.
Deu.11:1; Mat.22:37; Jud.21
4.
The believer’s love
for God is not dependent upon emotions, stands separate from human viewpoint
activities, and is evidenced by the intake and application of Bible
doctrine. Joh.14:15, 21-24; 1Joh.5:3
5.
Category 1 love is
also called “occupation with Christ”.
1Pet.1:8
6.
The blessings
associated with love of God in truth are found in Deu.7:13; 11:13-15;
Joh.14:15,21,23,24; Jam.1:12; 2:5
7.
There is a curse on
the one who does not have personal affection for Christ. 1Cor.16:22 (phileo)
B.
Category 2 love is
love under the Divine Institution of marriage.
1.
All 3 levels of love
(sexual, affectionate, agape/Divine) are applicable in this relationship.
2.
It is commanded of husband
to wife. 1Cor.7:2 (sexually);
Eph.5:25,28,33; Col.3:19 (agape)
3.
Sexual love is
forbidden for all others. Exo.20:14;
Mat:5:27; Heb.13:4
4.
The highest
expression of love for the wife entails complete submission to the husband’s
authority. Eph.5:22,23; Ti.2:4,5 (phileo
– show natural affection); 1Pet.3:1-6
5.
For the husband, the
expression of Divine love is to acclimate to self-sacrifice and the weaker
vessel principle. Eph.5:25-28; 1Pet.3:7
6.
For both husband and
wife, the Word of God dictates that the marriage vow is not to be broken. 1Cor.7:10-13
7.
Category 2 love is
inclusive of parental love for their children.
a.
Affectionate love for
the parent to the child and vice versa is to be expected. Ti.2:4
b.
Divine love is
evidenced when the parent overrules any emotions that hinder application of
discipline to the child under the principle of love. Pro.13:24
c.
Physical correction
coupled with verbal instruction is the norm set forth by BD. Pro.29:15
d.
The parent is to deal
with the real problem, which is the child’s STA. Pro.22:15
e.
This is God’s method
for training the child to avoid STA activity and the resulting DD. Pro.23:12.13
f.
The parent must
consistently overrule their own STA and emotions to provide correct discipline
or you do not love your children.
Pro.13:24
g.
God demonstrates this
same love with discipline for His children.
Heb.12:5-11
h.
Neither are parents
to exasperate/incite to anger their children.
Col.3:21
C.
Category 3 love is
love for friends.
1.
David and Jonathan
illustrate this type of love.
1Sam.18:1-4; 2Sam.1:26
2.
A true friend loves
consistently at all times. Pro.17:17;
18:24
3.
A true friend tells
you what you need to hear. Pro.27:6
4.
A true friend does
not malign. Psa.15:3
5.
A true friend shows hospitality. Lk.11:5,6
6.
The maximum
expression of love is physical sacrifice.
Joh.15:13
7.
A friend of the
cosmos is not a friend of God.
1Joh.2:15,15
8.
A believer who
desires friendship with negative volition is not a friend of God. Jam.4:4; 2Cor.6:14-18
D.
Category 4 love is
love of one’s enemies.
1.
We are commanded to
apply Divine love to our enemies.
Luk.6:27,35 (agape)
2.
Believers are to pray
for those who persecute them.
Mat.5:43-48
3.
You are to avoid
revenge tactics and use opportunities to bless them. Rom.12:20,21
4.
It is through this
application that God is allowed to apply wrath on your enemies on your behalf
and in turn bless you. Pro.25:21-22
5.
As you apply category
4 love, you imitate God’s love as seen in the cross. Mat.5:44-48
6.
It was taught under
the Law. Exo.23:4
7.
This category is an
acid test of your relative maturity.
Mat.5:48
8.
These verses are not
in conflict with bonafide violence.
a.
War: Deu.7:1-5
b.
Capital
punishment: Gen.9:5,6; Rom.1:32; 13:4
E.
Category 5 love is
love for the Royal Family.
1.
This is love for
fellow believers in the local church and is commanded. Joh.13:34; 15:12,17; 1Pet.2:17; 1Joh.2:5;
3:11,23; 2Joh.5
2.
It is called the
royal law. Jam.2:8
3.
It was taught under
the Law. Lev.19:18
4.
This is an area of
prayer for the local church. 1Thess.3:12
5.
We demonstrate love
for other believers when we:
a.
Exercise patience
toward them. Eph.4:2
b.
Forgive offenses both
intentional and unintentional. Eph.4:32
c.
Help them with
physical needs. 1Joh.3:17,18; Jam.2:16
d.
Avoid “twitting” the
new believer on doctrine who is weak.
Rom.14:1,14,15
e.
Separate from the
errant believer. 1Cor.5:1-13;
2Thess.3:6,14,15
f.
Receive back the one
who makes a reversion recovery.
2Cor.2:4-8
g.
Hold the P-T and
deacons in high regard. 1Thess.5:12,13
h.
Apply in areas of
need in the local church. Gal.5:13
i.
Show
hospitality. Heb.13:1,2
j.
Avoid gossip and
backbiting. Gal.5:14,15
k.
Avoid phoniness and
hypocrisy. Rom.12:9; 1Pet.1:22
l.
Avoid
partiality. Jam.2:8,9
VII.
Positive volition is
to love God’s word.
Psa.119:47,48,97,113,119, 127,159,163,165,167: Pro.4:6; 8:17,21;
2Thess.2:10
VIII.
Love and GAP (Grace
Apparatus for Perception).
A.
The P-T who loves God
feeds his congregation. Joh.21:15-17
B.
Love for God is to
keep His commandments. Ex.20:6; Deu.6:5;
7:9,10,12,13; 11:13,22; 13:3, Josh.22:5; Neh.1:5; 1Joh.2:5
C.
The Holy Spirit
broadcasts the knowledge of God’s love for us in our hearts. Rom.5:5
D.
The love of Christ
for the believer is comprehended under GAP.
Eph.3:14-19; Col.2:2,3
E.
GAP gives us the
discernment so our love applications may abound. Phil.1:9
F.
Capacity for and
acclimation to the dictates of love produce unity in the
local body and maximum production and SG3. Col.3:12-17
G.
The prayer for the
Royal Family is multiplication of love, which comes through GAP. Jud.2
IX.
Love is a
characteristic of the filling of the Holy Spirit and is expressed in the
commands to “walk in love” (Eph.5:2),
“abide in love” (Joh.15:10), and “put on love” (Col.3:14).
X.
Regeneration is the
catalyst for Divine love. 1Pet.1:22-23
XI.
In 1Cor.13, love
(agape) is technical for the filling ministry of God the Holy Spirit, apart
from which there is no divine good production.
A.
Five hypothetical
statements are used to show the foolishness of great service, insight, and
sacrifice apart from the FHS (vss.1-3).
B.
In vss.4-7, Paul
describes the characteristics of the FHS both in positive and negative terms.
C.
In vss.8-12, Paul
explains that the FHS (love) will continue long after the temporary gifts have
ceased.
D.
In fact, love (FHS)
will continue into Phase 3, where faith and hope cease (vs.13).
XII.
To the extent you
stay under the FHS, to that degree you will have divine good production. Joh.15:5; cp. vs.9
XIII.
The mature believer
loves His appearing. 2Tim.4:8
XIV.
Inappropriate objects
of love.
A.
Lies: Rev.22:15
B.
Darkness: Joh.3:19
C.
The world: 1Joh.2:15
D.
The details of
life: 1Joh.2:15
E.
Money: Mat.6:19-34; 1Tim.3:3; Heb.13:5
F.
Pleasures: 2Tim.3:4
G.
Yourself: 2Tim.3:2
H.
Your life: Rev.12:11
“He who does
not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine,
but the Father’s who sent Me.”
Joh.14:24
“pursue love” (1Cor.14:1); “in
genuine love” (2Cor.6:6)
“Grace be with
all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with a love incorruptible.”
Eph.6:24