Revision #12701
Love
Localized for English-speaking readers (msgbatch_01GvFKF6zaroxwZ2RCatyoPp)
Status: approved
Changes from the previous English revision
= ## Definition and Meaning
=
- In Christianity, **love** refers to the heart and attitude with which God regards human beings, and also to the human response to that love, by which people cherish and serve God and their neighbors. The First Epistle of John states, "God is love" (1 John 4:16). Christianity therefore understands love not as merely one virtue among many but as something bound up with the very nature of God.
+ In Christianity, **love** refers to the disposition and attitude with which God regards human beings. It also refers to the human response to that love, by which people cherish and serve God and their neighbors. The First Epistle of John declares, "God is love" (1 John 4:16). Christianity therefore understands love not merely as one virtue among many but as something bound up with the very nature of God.
=
- Greek (ancient Greek), the original language of the New Testament, has several words for love. The New Testament primarily uses agape, meaning "self-giving, unconditional love," and *philia*, meaning "friendship." In the Hebrew of the Old Testament, the principal terms are *ahavah* (love) and hesed, meaning "steadfast love" grounded in the covenant.
+ The Greek of the New Testament has several words for love. The New Testament chiefly uses agape, meaning self-giving, unconditional love, and *philia*, meaning the affection of friendship. In the Hebrew of the Old Testament, the principal terms are *ahavah* (love) and hesed, meaning steadfast love grounded in the covenant.
=
= ## Biblical and Historical Background
=
- When asked which commandment of the Law was the greatest, Jesus answered by naming love for God and love for one's neighbor (Mark 12:28–34). Paul called love the fulfillment of the Law (Romans 13:8–10) and described the character of love at length in 1 Corinthians 13, a chapter commonly known as the Love Chapter. Love is also listed first among the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).
+ When asked which commandment of the Law was the greatest, Jesus answered by naming love for God and love for one's neighbor (Mark 12:28–34). Paul called love the fulfilling of the Law (Romans 13:8–10) and described the character of love at length in 1 Corinthians 13, a chapter commonly known as the Love Chapter. Love is also listed first among the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).
=
- In church history, Augustine is known for making love a central theme of theology and for discussing the proper ordering of love for God and love for created things. John Wesley described the goal of sanctification (the process of being made holy) as "perfect love" toward God and neighbor.
+ In church history, Augustine is known for making love a central theme of theology and for discussing the proper ordering of love for God and love for created things. John Wesley described the goal of sanctification, the process of being made holy, as "perfect love" toward God and neighbor.
=
- ## Practice in the Korean Church
+ ## Practice in Korean Churches
=
- In Korean churches, the Love Chapter is frequently read at wedding services. At Christmas, many sermons focus on the love God showed in sending his Son. Love of neighbor finds expression in diakonia (service) ministries such as relief for the needy, local community service, and overseas aid. The Rev. Son Yang-won's adoption of the young man who had killed his two sons is widely known as the "atomic bomb of love."
+ In Korean Protestant churches, the Love Chapter is frequently read at wedding services, and at Christmas many sermons focus on the love God showed in sending his Son. Love of neighbor finds expression in diakonia (service) ministries such as relief for the needy, local community service, and overseas aid. The Korean pastor Son Yang-won adopted the young man who had killed his two sons, an act widely known in Korea as the "atomic bomb of love."
=
- Emphases differ by denomination.
+ Among Korean denominations, emphases differ.
=
= - The Reformed tradition, including Presbyterian churches, tends to explain God's love in connection with sovereign grace and election. It regards human love not as a condition of justification but as fruit borne after salvation.
- - The Wesleyan tradition, including Methodist and Holiness churches, teaches "perfect love" as the heart of holiness. It holds that believers can be made perfect in love even in this life.
- - In Pentecostal and Full Gospel churches, sermons following the line of thought in 1 Corinthians 12–14, which deals with the gifts of the Spirit, commonly stress that love matters most in the exercise of spiritual gifts.
+ - The Wesleyan tradition, including Methodist and Holiness churches, teaches "perfect love" as the heart of holiness and holds that believers can be made perfect in love even in this life.
+ - In Pentecostal and Full Gospel churches, sermons following the argument of 1 Corinthians 12–14, which deals with the gifts of the Spirit, commonly stress that love matters most in the exercise of spiritual gifts.
Full revision
In Christianity, love is understood as the nature of God and is regarded as the virtue at the heart of the greatest commandment Christians are called to keep. It encompasses both love for God and love for one's neighbor.
Definition and Meaning
In Christianity, love refers to the disposition and attitude with which God regards human beings. It also refers to the human response to that love, by which people cherish and serve God and their neighbors. The First Epistle of John declares, "God is love" (1 John 4:16). Christianity therefore understands love not merely as one virtue among many but as something bound up with the very nature of God.
The Greek of the New Testament has several words for love. The New Testament chiefly uses agape, meaning self-giving, unconditional love, and philia, meaning the affection of friendship. In the Hebrew of the Old Testament, the principal terms are ahavah (love) and hesed, meaning steadfast love grounded in the covenant.
Biblical and Historical Background
When asked which commandment of the Law was the greatest, Jesus answered by naming love for God and love for one's neighbor (Mark 12:28–34). Paul called love the fulfilling of the Law (Romans 13:8–10) and described the character of love at length in 1 Corinthians 13, a chapter commonly known as the Love Chapter. Love is also listed first among the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).
In church history, Augustine is known for making love a central theme of theology and for discussing the proper ordering of love for God and love for created things. John Wesley described the goal of sanctification, the process of being made holy, as "perfect love" toward God and neighbor.
Practice in Korean Churches
In Korean Protestant churches, the Love Chapter is frequently read at wedding services, and at Christmas many sermons focus on the love God showed in sending his Son. Love of neighbor finds expression in diakonia (service) ministries such as relief for the needy, local community service, and overseas aid. The Korean pastor Son Yang-won adopted the young man who had killed his two sons, an act widely known in Korea as the "atomic bomb of love."
Among Korean denominations, emphases differ.
- The Reformed tradition, including Presbyterian churches, tends to explain God's love in connection with sovereign grace and election. It regards human love not as a condition of justification but as fruit borne after salvation.
- The Wesleyan tradition, including Methodist and Holiness churches, teaches "perfect love" as the heart of holiness and holds that believers can be made perfect in love even in this life.
- In Pentecostal and Full Gospel churches, sermons following the argument of 1 Corinthians 12–14, which deals with the gifts of the Spirit, commonly stress that love matters most in the exercise of spiritual gifts.