Introduction
Looking up the meaning of “love” in any secular dictionary, one is likely to discover that it emphasizes words such as attraction, attachment, or feeling; hence, these terms are vague and undefinable. This kind of Love may only last a few years at most. Most of the time, attraction is based on superficial characteristics, attachment soon wanes if it is not returned, and feelings are the most ephemeral and unstable aspect of human nature.
The biblical concept, however, is constantly referenced, as the word “love” is used 484 times in the NASB, and the Bible employs it frequently. Love is described in the Bible as being real and doable. Instead of some nebulous emotion that ebbs and flows at random, it is composed of words and deeds motivated by the will. The letters of Paul, for instance, consist of different elements portrayed in his message, such as Love, which is outlined in different situations in the epistles.
Paul’s Use of the Word “Love”
The term “love” is frequently rendered as “agape” in the New Testament. It has benevolent intentions and the meanings of affection and friendliness (Schmidt n.d.). In other words, Love acts in the person’s best interests, and it awakens the desire to act in the best interests of the one we love. This sort of Love has its original (and only) source in God.
The hallmark of a person who has been saved is perfect Love, as demonstrated by God’s self-giving gift of Jesus to those unlovable and manifested in people by the Holy Spirit (Dunbar 2021). Jesus taught that if people have Love for one another, they will know that they are His disciples (John 13:35) (NABRE n.d.). Biblical Love, or Real Love, is the people’s spiritual birthmark and proof that they have experienced a spiritual rebirth.
The concept of Love, perhaps the most well-known and realistic, may be found in 1 Corinthians 13. Spiritual gifts provide the setting for Paul’s well-known and frequently referenced teaching on Love. He teaches Christians that the Holy Spirit bestows various gifts following His desire and that each body component is equally important to the whole (Dunbar 2021). Until individuals are fully grown in Christ, God expects them to use their gifts to serve and strengthen one another, and individuals accomplish that by lovingly serving one another. Philippians 3:15-16 says, “But speaking the truth in Love, we are to grow up in all respects into Him who is the head… (NABRE n.d.).”
After explaining the various spiritual gifts, Paul reminds people that they are all merely transitory, beneficial only as people work to develop into fully-fledged, Christ-like Christians. He draws attention to the basic aspirations people may have for things they believe are significant in the kingdom of God—things they believe will make them excellent Christians, but tend to boost their egos and give them a sense of unjustified importance (Schmidt n.d.).
These include knowledge of conundrums (things hidden from the ungodly but revealed to the righteous), a general understanding of the Christian faith, and even self-sacrifice – the readiness to give up one’s belongings and very own life. Revelation is the gift of divine intervention and proclaiming God’s purposes. Paul claims that those are noble things, but they have no value without Love; they will all die, and the only thing that will endure forever is Love.
Paul makes sixteen contrasts in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, eight of which are positive (things people should be or do) and eight negative (things people should not be or do). In addition, Love is fundamentally a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22) (The Cross Reference n.d.). People learn to lay aside the works of the flesh (anger, pride, self-centeredness, and ungodliness) as they live in the Spirit, having “crucified the flesh with its passions and cravings” (Galatians 5:24-25) (NABRE n.d.). Moreover, to wear the new self, which is being renewed to a genuine knowledge in the likeness of Jesus (Colossians 3) (The Cross Reference n.d.).
Humility, godliness, fidelity, and putting the needs of others before their own are characteristics of the new life (Dunbar 2021). That is the secret to actualizing biblical love—holy spirit holiness. Paul’s list plainly illustrates the distinction between the old life—carnal, unsanctified, or unrepentant sinners—and the new life—sanctified, transformed—people have in Christ (Schmidt n.d.).
As Paul reminded people, “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance,” God’s unchangeable traits of Love and mercy become manifest in the kindness of a Savior (NABRE n.d.). (Rom. 2:4) Love takes on a practical quality as the Holy Spirit molds the character of God in humans. The only way to true happiness is to “tell the truth in love,” as people are told in Ephesians 4:15 (NABRE n.d.).
Everywhere in the Bible, there is a call to live a life characterized by Love. The apostle Paul told the Corinthian church to act in all things with Love in a letter to that congregation (Dunbar 2021). “Be alert; maintain your commitment to the faith; exercise courage, and show strength (Dunbar 2021).” Paul provided these important guidelines in 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 to the Corinthian church, and Christians today can still apply them daily. Because it is an expression of obedience to God, maintains the integrity of people’s motivations, and directs them toward becoming more like Jesus, they must always behave in Love.
Paul goes into great detail earlier in 1 Corinthians to define what Love is. What it means to do anything in Love is better understood and contextualized in light of the prior chapter. “Love is compassionate and patient, it doesn’t boast, it doesn’t envy, and it isn’t arrogant (Schmidt n.d.).” It does not defame others, is not conceited, is not quickly enraged, and does not keep a record of wrongdoings. Love rejoices with the truth rather than pleasure in wickedness, consistently showing protection, constancy, and endurance.
In 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, Paul’s admonition to “do everything in love” is better understood in light of this definition of Love (NABRE n.d.). To act always in Love entails abstaining from boasting, becoming irritable, and dishonoring others. Doing everything in Love entails rejoicing in God’s truth, rejecting evil, and placing hope and trust in Him (Dunbar 2021). Believers have the power to make daily decisions based on Love that leads to patience, kindness, and forgiveness. By acting in Love at all times, believers can demonstrate their obedience to and faith in God.
“Let All That You Do Be Done in Love” is the title of a letter the apostle Paul sent to the Corinthian church. Corinth was a Greek city governed by the Romans. Paul wrote this letter after he had already started the Corinthian church. He wrote because the congregation was going through a difficult time and wanted to encourage them in their faith and clear up any doctrinal misconceptions. The letter’s final chapter, 1 Corinthians 16, provides Paul’s advice and insight on giving frugally and according to one’s means (Dunbar 2021). Furthermore, Paul encouraged them to be firm in their faith and to treat everyone with Love.
The members of the Corinthian church lacked spiritual maturity and had already begun living in unjust ways. They disagreed on several topics, including divorce, immoral behavior, etc. These differences challenged the church’s unity and longevity, causing divisions. Therefore, Paul urged them to act in all things with Love (Dunbar 2021). That meant accepting one another, correcting one another’s misconceptions, and avoiding sinful conduct—all while acting in a manner that showed Love for one another and God. Paul wrote this sermon to help the Corinthian church develop its spiritual maturity (Dunbar 2021). The same message can also aid modern believers in developing stronger faith and more mature spirituality. People can walk in the manner that God would have them walk if they do everything in Love.
Conclusion
The letters of Paul, mostly written to the people of Rome and Corinthians, were a symbol of God’s concern for His people. The letters can be found in different books in the Bible, such as 1 and 2 Corinthians, Romans, Galatians, and Philippians. The letters outlined some significant elements, such as Love, in which individuals establish a mutual relationship. Love, as described in the context, is the act of being real, doable, and composed of words and deeds.
References
Dunbar, Paul Laurence. The Selected Literary Letters of Paul Laurence Dunbar. Amer Lit Realism & Naturalism, 2021.
Schmidt, Father Jordan. “Understanding St. Paul’s Description of Christian Love.” NCR.
The Cross Reference – New American Bible Concordance.
The New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE). “Epistles of Paul.” United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.