Love in the Gospel

Sincere Love Without Expecting Something in Return

'Agape' is the most common word for love used in the Gospel. It is referred to 116 times. The meaning of this word is 'love that always gives and never expects'. For example, the word 'agape' is mentioned here in the following part where the word 'love' is found to indicate selfless love: "... 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment." (Matthew, 22:37-39)

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. (Romans, 12:9-14)

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law [God's commandments]. (Romans, 13:8)

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. (1 Peter, 4:8-9)

If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great... (Luke, 6:32-35)

Therefore, as God's chosen people (who have faith), holy and dearly loved (believers), clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians, 3:12-14)

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. (1 Corinthians, 13:1-3)

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit,
especially (the morals of) prophecy.
(1 Corinthians, 14:1)

God’s Love for Those Who Have Faith

For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that He has chosen you [as believers]. (1 Thessalonians, 1:4)

But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved... through belief in the truth... May our Lord… God, Who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. (2 Thessalonians, 2:13-17)

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. (1 John, 4:16)

We love because He first loved us. (1 John, 4:19)

... Because You loved Me before the creation of the world. (John, 17:24)

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else... (1 Thessalonians, 3:12)

God... will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people (who have devoted themselves to God) and continue to help them. (Hebrews, 6:10)

... God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians, 9:7-8)

Believers’ Love for Jesus Messiah, the Prophets and Devout Leaders

[For God's approval] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine... or danger or sword? (Romans, 8:35)

[Jesus:] As God has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands [for pleasing God], you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Lord's commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command [for God's approval] is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends [for seeking God's pleasure]. You are my friends if you do what I command [in the name of God]. (John, 15:9-14)

Grace to all who love Jesus Christ with an undying love. (Ephesians, 6:24)

But if anyone obeys his [Jesus'] word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in God [we abide by God's will]: Whoever claims to live in God [in accordance with God's approval] must live as Jesus did. (1 John, 2:5-6)

[Jesus:] "... No, God Himself loves you because you have loved me..." (John, 16:27)

If you love me, keep my commands [for earning the pleasure of God]... Whoever has my commands and keeps them [for the sake of God] is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by God, and I too will love them..." (John, 14:15, 21)

Jesus replied, "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My God will love them... Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to God Who sent me." (John, 14:23-24)

... I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people [those who devoted themselves to God] and your faith in Jesus [as a Prophet of God]. (Philemon, 1:4-5)

We always thank God... when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Jesus [as a Prophet of God] and of the love you have for all God's people [those who devoted themselves to God]. (Colossians, 1:3-4)

Though you have not seen him [Jesus], you love him; and even though you do not see him, you... are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. (1 Peter, 1:8)