Like the Samaritan Woman, I am satisfied because God knows me, loves me, and fills me ( John 4:42). Like Nathanael, I am known by God and loved ( John 1:49).ĥ. Like Jehoshaphat, I face trials and danger with songs of praise for God’s faithful love ( 2 Chronicles 20:21).Ĥ. Like Ruth, I care loyally for my loved ones ( Ruth 1:16).ģ.

Like Job, I cling to God, who loves me and is in control, in the midst of my deepest pain ( Job 1:21).Ģ. In both cases, God loves us with an everlasting love ( Psalm 103:17 Jeremiah 31:3).ġ. God’s love is also fully expressed by adopting us as His children ( John 1:12 Galatians 4:5 Ephesians 1:5 1 John 3:1).

God’s love for us is fully expressed through His Son, Jesus Christ ( John 3:16 Romans 5:8-10 Titus 3:5). God is the source of all true, giving, ongoing love. It is the chief fruit of the Holy Spirit at work in and through our lives ( Galatians 5:22-23).Ģ. Love is the greatest virtue ( 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13, especially 1 Corinthians 13:4-8). Love is not fearful ( 2 Timothy 1:7 1 John 4:18). Biblical examples include ( Genesis 4:1 Genesis 4:17 Genesis 4:25 Genesis 29:23 Genesis 29:30 Genesis 38:2 Ruth 4:13 1 Samuel 4:19 2 Samuel 12:24 1 Chronicles 2:21 1 Chronicles 7:23 Isaiah 8:3).ģ. Love is not sex, but couples express their love physically in sexual ways, including intercourse, which sometimes leads to the birth of a child. Instead, God is love ( 1 John 4:8 1 John 4:16).Ģ. So, what is “love” according to the Bible? What Love Is Notġ. The word “love” has an extremely wide spectrum of meanings. When I’m at a barbeque and spot a bag of original Lay’s, I’m known to walk over, grab a couple, and remark, “I love potato chips!” When I’m at that same barbeque and spot my oldest granddaughter, I’m known to run over, give her a hug, look straight into her eyes, and say, “I love you, Havilah!” Is my love for my granddaughter the same love I have for a potato chip? Of course not!

What is the meaning of love