Love

“You Shall Love Your Neighbor as Yourself.” - Mark 12:28 – 12:34 (commentary)

The Jews were required to obey 613 precepts in the Law; 365 negative precepts and 248 positive ones. One of their favorite exercises was discussing which of these divine commandments was the greatest. Here we find a scribe asking Jesus which commandment is the most important (v. …

God’s people are to love one another - I John 2:7 – 2:11 (commentary)

Up to this point John has been talking about “the commandments” in general; but now he focuses on one single commandment and that is that God’s people love one another (vv. 7- 8). Although the Old Testament Law required love for one another (Leviticus 19:18), Christ gave …

A clear description of God’s Children - I John 3:1 – 3:3 (commentary)

This is John’s approach in writing to Christians. Instead of listing the evil characteristics of Satan’s children, he gives us a clear description of God’s children. The title “sons of God” is an honor bestowed upon those who have a right relationship to God. This relat …

Love is an action - I John 4:7 – 4:12 (commentary)

Everyone believes that love is important, but love is usually thought of as a feeling. In reality, love is an action. God loved us enough to sacrifice His Son for us (v.7). His love involves an action, and our love should be like His. Much that is called “love” in moder …

Christ’s Farewell Sermon to His Disciples - John 13:31 – 13:38 (commentary)

From a human perspective, the death of Christ was a terrible thing that involved unspeakable suffering and humiliation; but from a heavenly perspective it was the revelation of the love of God. “The hour is come that the Son of man should be glorified” (12:23). The word love is used only ...

The Commandment to Love One Another - John 15:12 – 15:17 (commentary)

The second commandment is to love one another (v.12). Jesus defines the extent of that love in the phrase, “as I have loved you,” which means giving sacrificially to others (vv. 13-14). Love is not an emotional feeling, but it is the act of giving. As we mentioned in the previous passage, the key ...

Love Your Enemies - Matthew 5:43 – 5:48 (commentary)

The Pharisees taught that a person should love those near and dear to them but that their enemies should be hated (v. 43). Jesus defined one’s enemies as those who curse us, hate us and try to take advantage of us selfishly. Jesus stated that Israel should demonstrate God’s love …

How Are You Showing Love to Others? - I Thessalonians 4:9 – 4:10 (commentary)

Though sexual impurity is a danger to be avoided (verses 3-8), loving other Christians is a practice to be cultivated (verses 9- 12). Christians quickly learn that they have a special kinship with other believers that they do not have with those outside of God’s family. You will e …

The Blood that sets us Free - I Peter 1:17 – 1:25 (commentary)

There were over 60 million slaves in the Roman empire at the time Peter was writing this letter. A slave could purchase his freedom if he had the money and if his master was willing to set him free. Also, someone else could pay the price, thus redeeming them, so he could go free. Redemption ...

True Love is Easily Seen - I Peter 1:22 – 1:25 (commentary)

Our love for God is demonstrated by our loving the brethren (v.22). An example of this is found in I John 4:20-21. Love toward God is hard to measure, however love toward the brethren is easily seen. This love is to be a “fervent” love which is real and not …

Qualities of the Greatest Gift - I Corinthians 13:1 – 13:7 (commentary)

This is one of the most noted and best-loved chapters in the entire Bible. At the same time, few chapters have suffered more misinterpretation and misapplication than I Corinthians 13. Divorced from its context, it often becomes a sentimental sermon on Christian brotherhood. It is easy to ...

The Parable of the Good Samaritan - Luke 10:25 – 10:37 (commentary)

A certain lawyer, who was an expert in the law, asked Jesus “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (v. 25). It was a good question asked with a bad motive, because the lawyer wanted to trap our Lord. Jesus, as He often did, simply answered hi …

The Divine Lover - Hosea 2:1 – 2:23 (commentary)

Gomer and Israel have left their true husband, Gomer for other men and Israel for other gods. Both were deceived. The Lord calls upon the harlot’s children to accuse their mother of adultery (v. 2). If she does not repent, consequences will follow (vv. 3-5). Like Gomer, Israel is willing to believe ...

A Picture of The Divine Lover - Hosea 2:14 – 2:23 (commentary)

Gomer broke Hosea’s heart but because if it she made it possible for him to give the world a picture of the “divine lover.” He promised His love in the repeated “I will” statements to the Jewish people. “I will allure” (v. 14). God doesn’t …

The Interlude of Love - Hosea 3:1 – 3:5 (commentary)

This short chapter pictures the nation’s exile and return. The Lord makes known His plans for the redemption of the prodigal nation. Although this chapter is short, its prophecies survey God’s past (v. 1), present (vv. 2-4), and future (v. 5) relationship with Israel. Israel will experience a time of ...

God’s Continuing Love For Israel - Hosea 11:1 – 11:12 (commentary)

Up to this point in the book the emphasis has been primarily upon Israel’s disobedience for which judgement must fall. However, from this point on the emphasis is on God’s love for Israel, despite her disobedience for which judgement must fall. In the sovereignty of God everything that befell ...

He Promises to Restore Joy - Jeremiah 31:1 – 31:14 (commentary)

God promises all the tribes of Israel that He will restore them (vv. 1-2). Despite Judah’s rejection and apostasy, God loved them (v. 3). “Loving kindness” refers to God condescending in goodness to the needs of His people. He says that I will restore your joy ( …

God’s Love For His People - Malachi 1:1 – 1:5 (commentary)

In order to understand the book of Malachi a person needs to know to whom it was written. These people were fighting God and unwilling to trust Him or even listen to His messenger. Israel had just returned from exile and the nation of Edom was still in bondage to the Chaldeans. T …

Lovers Reunited at Their Country Home - Song of Solomon 8:1 – Solomon 8:14 (commentary)

In the culture in which Solomon and his lover lived it was improper to show public affection except between family members. Therefore, his beloved wished that her husband was like a brother so that it would be acceptable for her to display affection for him at any time (v. 1). Verses 6 and 7 ...