What Does God Say About Love? A Biblical Guide to Its Power and Purpose
Love is one of the most profound and powerful forces in the universe. Therefore, it should be no surprise that people ask, what does God say about love, or what does the Bible say about love. Love is a universal language, a source of immeasurable joy, and a cornerstone of all human relationships. But in a world that often confuses love with fleeting emotion, self-centered desire, or sentimental feelings, what does the Bible, God’s inspired word, say about love?
For many, the answer to this question holds the key to a truly fulfilling life. The Bible reveals that God Himself is the ultimate source of all love and that His divine love is the perfect model for all our human relationships. It is a timeless and transformative truth that has guided believers for millennia and continues to shape our understanding of God, ourselves, and others.
This comprehensive guide will explore the biblical meaning of love in all its complexity. We will delve into the different types of love described in scripture, uncover the core of God’s perfect love, and provide a practical roadmap for living a life defined by love, as inspired by the Bible. This is the ultimate guide to what does God say about love.
The Four Greek Words for Love in the Bible
The English language often uses a single word, “love,” to describe a wide range of emotions and relationships. In contrast, the biblical writers, particularly in the New Testament, used a number of specific Greek words to express different kinds of love. Understanding these distinctions is key to a deeper understanding of what does the Bible say about love and its rich meaning.
1. Agape (ἀγάπη): The Highest Form of Love
Agape is often described as the highest and most profound form of love in the Bible. It is a self-sacrificial, unconditional, and divine love. Unlike other forms of love that are a response to something lovable, agape is a deliberate choice and an act of the will. It’s the kind of love that God has for humanity, as demonstrated in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” This love is not based on feeling or merit, but on God’s character.
Christians are commanded to have this same kind of agape for one another and even for their enemies. The Apostle Paul’s famous “love chapter” in 1 Corinthians 13 is a detailed description of this love. It is a love that gives even when it receives nothing in return. It is a love that forgives, perseveres, and endures all things. When people ask what does God say about love, this is the first and most important answer.
2. Philia (φιλία): Brotherly Love
Philia is the Greek word for brotherly love or friendship. It’s a mutual, affectionate love based on shared values, experiences, and respect. It’s the love that bonds a community of believers together, as seen in the word “Philadelphia,” which means “brotherly love.” This kind of love is central to fellowship and companionship. While it’s not self-sacrificial in the same way as agape, it is a necessary and healthy form of love that fosters strong relationships among people. It is the kind of love that Jesus had for his disciples and that the early church had for one another. Jesus even used this word when He told His disciples that they would be known by their love for one another.
3. Storge (στοργή): Familial Love
Storge is the word for familial love. It is the natural affection that exists between family members—the love between a parent and child, a brother and sister, or a husband and wife. While the New Testament doesn’t use this word as frequently as the others, the concept of familial love is deeply embedded in the Old and New Testaments. This type of love forms the bedrock of a strong family unit, which the Bible often uses as a metaphor for the church or the relationship between God and his people. The unconditional, nurturing, and protective nature of storge is a powerful reflection of God’s own love for His children.
4. Eros (ἔρως): Romantic and Erotic Love
Eros is the Greek word for romantic and erotic love. While the word itself does not appear in the New Testament, the concept is present throughout the Bible, particularly in the Song of Solomon. The Bible portrays sexual love within the covenant of marriage as a beautiful and sacred gift from God. This type of love, when expressed in its proper context, is designed to be intimate, exclusive, and a source of profound joy and unity between a husband and wife. It is a powerful expression of commitment and a deep physical and emotional bond. When answering what does the Bible say about love, it’s crucial to acknowledge this aspect as a holy and intended part of God’s design.
The Cross: Where God’s Justice and Love Meet
A full understanding of what does God say about love must include the cross, where His holiness and mercy intersect. Biblical love is not passive or sentimental; it is a love that satisfies divine justice.
The Core of God’s Love: Agape as Divine Nature
The Bible’s most powerful statement on this subject is found in 1 John 4:8, “God is love.” This is a statement about his very nature. God’s love is a constant, unwavering force not dependent on our actions. Romans 5:8 states, “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” This sacrificial love is the foundation of our salvation and the ultimate act of God’s grace. This is why knowing what does God say about love is central to the Christian faith.
The Doctrine of Propitiation
The biblical meaning of love is inseparable from the concept of propitiation (Romans 3:25). Propitiation means that Christ’s death satisfied the just wrath of God against human sin. Without this act, God’s love could not be fully expressed, because His holiness demands perfect justice. God’s love did not simply ignore sin; His love absorbed the penalty for sin. This sacrificial act is what sets agape apart. It is the ultimate expression of love that steps in front of deserved judgment. This is the heart of the Gospel and the most profound answer to the question, what does God say about love.
Love as a Commandment: The Call to Action
The Bible makes it clear that love is not merely a suggestion or a feeling; it is a core commandment. Jesus himself elevated love to the highest law, summarizing all of God’s commands in two simple principles.
The Greatest Commandment
When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” He then added a second, equally important commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39).
This command to love is a recurring theme throughout the Old and New Testaments. In the New Testament, Jesus made it clear that love is the fulfillment of the Law. He told His disciples in John 13:34, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” This commandment raises the standard of love from “as yourself” to “as Christ loved you,” which is a perfect, self-sacrificial love.
The Law of Christ and the Law of Love
For a Christian, the Law is not a list of rules to be followed but an expression of love. When we love God with all our hearts, we will naturally desire to obey His commands. The law of love simplifies the entire Law of God, making it clear that all commands are rooted in love. This is a powerful concept for a new believer, transforming their understanding of obedience from a burdensome duty into a joyful response to a loving God. For a seasoned believer, it serves as a constant reminder that their primary calling is to love God and others, a truth that guides their every action.
What Does the Bible Say About Love and Relationships?
The Bible teaches that since God is the source of love, our relationships with others should be a reflection of his love for us. The greatest commandment, according to Jesus, is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” The second, he says, is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39). This commandment is the foundation of Christian ethics and the practical expression of a transformed life.
Love in the Community: Agape in Action
The Apostle Paul, in his famous “love chapter,” 1 Corinthians 13, provides a detailed description of what love looks like in action. He writes that love is patient, kind, and not envious or boastful. It’s not rude, self-seeking, or easily angered. He concludes by stating that love “always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” This passage is the ultimate guide to what love should look like within the Christian community and beyond. It teaches us that love is not just a feeling but a set of actions and a way of life that is patient, forgiving, and selfless. This is a core Bible topic for Christians to understand.
Love in the Family: A Sacred Covenant
The Bible emphasizes the importance of love within the family unit. Husbands are commanded to love their wives as Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25), a command to practice a self-sacrificial, agape love. Wives are to love their husbands, and parents are to love their children, raising them in the instruction and admonition of the Lord. The love shared within a family is a powerful testimony to the world of what God’s love looks like in practice. This familial love is designed to be a sacred covenant, a deep bond that reflects the intimate relationship between Christ and the Church. It is a powerful answer to what does the Bible say about love in practice.
Key Biblical Passages and Verses About Love
To truly understand what does God say about love, it is helpful to meditate on key biblical passages. These verses provide a roadmap for understanding and living out a life of love. They are the primary source for understanding what does the Bible say about love.
- John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” This verse provides a concise summary of God’s sacrificial love for the world, the heart of the Gospel message.
- 1 John 4:7-8: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” This is the definitive statement that “God is love,” and a command for believers to love one another as a sign of their relationship with Him.
- Romans 5:8: “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” A powerful reminder that God’s love is unconditional and was shown to us “while we were still sinners.” This is love in its purest, most powerful form.
- 1 Corinthians 13: The most comprehensive description of what love looks like in action. It is often referred to as the “love chapter” for a reason. It is the gold standard for what does the Bible say about love.
- Ephesians 5:25: “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” The commandment for husbands to love their wives with a sacrificial love modeled after Christ.
- Colossians 3:14: “And above all these put on love, which is the bond of perfection.” The verse that calls love the “bond of perfection” that ties everything together. It is a core tenet of what the Bible says about love.
- Proverbs 10:12: “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.” A practical wisdom verse on the power of love to reconcile relationships.
- 1 Peter 4:8: “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” A call to fervent love and forgiveness within the Christian community.
For more on biblical expressions of love read our article on the 150 Psalms.
The Holy Spirit’s Role in Living a Life of Love
It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the biblical commands to love unconditionally, sacrificially, and tirelessly. However, the Bible makes it clear that this is not a task we are meant to accomplish on our own. It is a work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. The Apostle Paul, in Galatians 5:22-23, lists the Fruit of the Spirit, with love at the very top of the list.
The fruit of the Spirit is not something we can manufacture through willpower or human effort. It is the natural result of a believer’s life being surrendered to and empowered by the Holy Spirit. This is a crucial element of answering what does the Bible say about love. The Holy Spirit transforms our hearts, giving us the ability to love others in a way that we could never do on our own. Our responsibility is to walk in step with the Spirit and allow Him to produce this fruit in our lives.
Love as a Witness to the World
Finally, the Bible teaches that love is a powerful witness to a skeptical world. In John 13:35, Jesus tells his disciples, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” A world that is filled with conflict and division will be drawn to a community of people who love each other selflessly. This is the most powerful argument for the truth of the Gospel. It is a core answer to the question what does God say about love.
When the world sees believers loving their enemies, forgiving those who have wronged them, and serving the needy without expectation of return, they are seeing the love of God in action. This is the fulfillment of the biblical command to be “salt and light” to the world. A life of love is the most compelling sermon a person can ever preach. Here is a sermon by Billy Graham that answers the question of what does the Bible say about love. God’s idea of love, written in the Bible, is true love and much different than how we use the word love in everyday life.
Conclusion
The Bible’s teaching on love is both simple and profound. It is a timeless truth that God is love and that His love is the ultimate power that redeems, restores, and transforms. Asking, what does God say about love is central to the Christian faith. It is not an abstract concept but a living reality that guides our relationships, motivates our actions, and gives our lives purpose. It is the heart of every Bible topic.
We encourage you to use this guide as a starting point for your own spiritual journey. You can click on any of the links below to dig deeper into these Bible topics with our full, comprehensive guides, which are a cornerstone of effective Bible scholarship. We are here to help you on your quest for truth and understanding.
To understand the foundations of faith, visit our pillar article on 10 Essential Bible Topics.
For a deeper look at the practical expression of God’s love in our lives, explore our guide on the Fruit of the Spirit.
Here is a sermon by Billy Graham that answers the question of what does the Bible say about love. God’s idea of love, written in the Bible, is true love and much different than how we use the word love in everyday life.
