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For God So Loved The World!
Bible study on God's love.

Of course, you will recognize the title of this article from one of the most famous verses in the Bible. John 3:16 says: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Although there is much to say about this verse, I would like to focus this article on love. And, what better example of love than the love God has for mankind.

There are several greek words, all with slightly different meanings, that have been translated into english as love. Original, and subsequent, Bible manuscripts were written in greek. Although understanding the greek language is not necessary to understand the Bible unto salvation, we may enrich our lives with a greater understanding of the Bible expressed within the language which was used in the first manuscripts.

The greek word translated love in John 3:16 is agapao. Agapao and its associated noun form agape appear 247 times in the New Testament. Some Bible translations translate agape as charity. For example, the King James version translates I Corinthians 13:4: "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up." But, the New King James version reads: "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up." Remember, a translation of the Bible, simply seeks to translate "word for word" or "word to phrase", as best suits the languages. Upon examining the two separate translations of I Corinthians 13:4, we see the translator's problem to find an english word that properly denotes the meaning of agape.

Agapao is used to describe an attitude one has towards another that is outwardly manifested in the doing of good. Agapao within God or an individual is to seek the best for all others apart from any feelings one may have towards the one that good is being extended. Vines expository Dictionary says of agapao:

"In respect of agapao as used of God, it expresses the deep and constant love and interest of a perfect Being towards entirely unworthy objects, producing and fostering a reverential love in them towards the Giver, and a practical love towards those who are partakers of the same, and a desire to help others to seek the Giver."

"Christian love, whether exercised toward the brethren, or toward men generally, is not an impulse from the feelings, it does not always run with the natural inclinations, nor does it spend itself only upon those for whom some affinity is discovered. Love seeks the welfare of all, Rom. 15:2, and works no ill to any 13:8-10; love seeks opportunity to do good to 'all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith,' Gal. 6:10."

This attitude (agapao) is poorly expressed in the english language by either love or charity. And, there is not another suitable word in our language that appropriately expresses the attitude of agapao wherein one will do good to another apart from the feelings or emotions that may be possessed towards the one to whom good is being extended. I suppose a combination of love, charity, grace, and mercy best relay the meaning of agapao in the english language.

It is this attitude that we must posses to fulfill our duty towards God as commanded by Jesus. Jesus says in Matthew 5:43-44: "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you."

The greek word translated love in Matthew 5:43-44 is agapao. Jesus is saying that we must have an attitude towards others to do good - even if they curse us, hate us, spitefully use us, and persecute us; we are to love them. That is, we are to have an attitude towards others who mistreat us to do good towards them even though they may not do good towards us.

Simply put, we must rise above our emotions and feelings to do good to everyone. Fortunately, many to whom we are commanded to love in the agapao sense are those towards whom we also have fond emotions. The greek word phileo is also translated love and "more nearly represents tender affection" (Vines Expository Dictionary). So, we may, or may not, have tender affections toward those we are commanded to agapao (love), but we must set aside our feeling, when necessary, in order to do good to all men.

The Bible teaches us to have an agapao attitude towards others, and the Bible teaches some of the reasons God wants us to behave in this fashion. Furthermore, the Bible teaches that we are to have an agapao attitude towards God. We will continue discussing agapao in the next article along with its significance in the life of a Christian.