What does the Bible have to say about true Love? From the Bible perspective, true Love doesn’t mean only loving God and everyone around us, from fellow members to animals. Through the ages, the Bible verses and scriptures have asked us to be loving and compassionate to our fellow mates.
The Hebrew Bible states that God created everyone equal and that he loves everyone the same. God is the highest form of Love, and we should bestow our loyalty to them. But we must take it on us to bestow and share his blessings.
And yet, the love that appears in the Torah is not blind and childish love but a love built on knowing ourselves. For the Torah, love for others should not come at our expense but should be equal to our love for ourselves, at most. This is what the verse says in Leviticus (19:18):
“Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.”
The Torah says it very clear, you should love your neighbor, your friend, as yourself, as you love yourself, not more than that.
From the point of view of the Torah, there is a very great philosophical, social, the human idea here. Our love for ourselves, our recognition of our self-worth, is the condition for our ability to love other people. If we do not love ourselves, or even worse, if we hate ourselves, we will not love anyone else.
What are the four types of Biblical Love?
Biblical Love is categorized into four different categories, which continue to grow with time. Whether it is the Love for nature or appreciation, one should find it accordingly. According to the Bible verses by Lewis, there are four forms of Love, which are derived from the four different words for Love in Greek: eros, charity, friendship, and affection.
Storage
Storage emphasizes the empathic bond. Storage is the kind of Love we have for someone familiar to us or a bond of familiarity. It is a valuable bond and is a result of naturally growing affection.
Philia
Philia refers to a strong, friendly bond that is shared between siblings. This kind of Love exists between people who have shared common interests, activities, and even values. Philia doesn’t always have to be a sexual bond, but something that is freely chosen and helps us get through the tough times. Philia, in medieval times, was more of a higher-level of Love.
Eros
Eros is the romantic love that we have for our partner. This does not signify sexual Love, but the feeling of being loved or being in Love. Lewis perfectly describes the difference between eros (romantic Love) and sexual Love by explaining the difference between ‘wanting a woman’ and ‘wanting a particular woman’ where the former represents sexual Love. The latter represents sexual Love.
Agape
This is the highest form of Love as it is the devotee’s unconditional Love to God. Well, agape also signifies charity because it is a form of Love that exists through generations. As per Jewish culture, being charitable towards others or having selfless Love is the highest form of Love. Being charitable helps you avoid the need for ‘demonic’ self-aggrandizement that humans may develop with time if they do not take care of it.
Why is it important to love others?
Over the years, the Jewish people have focused on the importance of loving others for various reasons. It is believed that having the four forms of Love, and showing empathy towards others will help you grow individually and spiritually.
It is the only reality that will help you grow. God is benevolent, and the importance of Love is depicted in all holy books. The emphasis of loving others is laid on Jewish holy books that would help in a person’s growth in a long time.
What does the Bible say about Love?
Going by the beliefs of Jewish culture, Love is the ‘transitive reality’ that needs an object. Love should be selfless and personal. In the Bible, even sinners are at the mercy of God and forgiven. However, it is necessary to understand that not everyone can be at the mercy of God.
The Hebrew Bible follows the concept of revenge. Hence, there’s an echo of “an eye for an eye.” The Love of Neighbor and Love of God is the highest form of Love and would eventually help you avoid the risk of being proud. Following the true path of Love will help you in the long run and eventually develop a positive life form.
Bible verses about Love
Loving others has become critical in today’s time. But the concept of Love has existed since the beginning of times. There’s a constant echo about the importance of ‘loving thy neighbor’ in Leviticus.
The importance of loving others has been there in the Bible, especially for weaker ones than others. When we help others and show our compassion towards them, we are helping ourselves and others. Moreover, there’s an echo of compassion, and when we love others, we get rewarded for it.
The Bible verses about love focus on the importance of the different types of Biblical Love that, over the years, have helped humankind prosper. When you move out of your path or are lost, here are a few of the Biblical verses that will bring you back to the right path.
"7. If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: 8. But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, [in that] which he wanteth."
If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land, the Lord, your God, is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. Rather, be open-handed and freely lend them whatever they need.
Deuteronomy 15:7-8 focuses on the concept of generosity. Referring to humankind as Israelites, the message of being compassionate is given. Here, he refers to the concept that all of our focus on earning money and consider it generous, but is it actually so?
The Biblical verse about Love here promotes the importance of bringing generosity to work. The verse focuses on being generous at the workplace and helping the ones who are in need. But, often, generosity comes with a cost. It promotes the concept of open-heart. When someone asks for help, we should always consider our motives, opportunities, and help.
Little sacrifices eventually help us grow in the home of God. Being generous should be your characteristics and not have complex characteristics. We should make selfless contributions and sacrifices, or we would miss out on the opportunities that may be laid on our way by God. Hence, focus on your path and be generous to the ones around you.
“To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.”
Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty. During his prosperity, Job had expectations from his fellow mates but was eventually disappointed with their actions.
In the entire verse, he goes to compare the disappointment of failing Brooks of summer. This is human nature. We often tend to bestow our trust in people who may let us down.
Sometimes the people from whom we expect the most disappoint the most. But the one who bestows his faith and confidence in God will prosper and grow with him.
Laying down the concept of generosity, the verse asks us to be away from bestowing everything of humans.
When we lay down our hopes on materialistic things, we will eventually be ashamed of it because it will bring us down. But, if we are faithful to our God and bestow our faith on him, we will eventually grow. It is natural to have expectations from people, but we shouldn’t be disappointed if we do not reach it. When we expect a little more from man, we get less in return, but we only get more when we expect from God.
In the following video, the song by singer Motti Steinmetz is based on an excerpt from the Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur prayer, one of the most important Jewish holidays of the Jewish people. In prayer, we ask God to remember His love for us and have mercy on his people.
2. How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah. 3. Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. 4. Deliver the poor and needy: rid [them] out of the hand of the wicked.
The unjust treatment of people is brought forth. When one is in Love with others, it is necessary to focus on all aspects. God offers late justice, which is often a cause for the suffering and pains of humanity. However, one must be focused on improving the plans.
The verse is a reflection of the psalmist talking to the people in the name of God. The people in power often rebuke them and continue to do so rather than resolving their unjust treatment. Even in the public domain, the declaration of unjust treatment is a major sadness.
It is very natural to be victims of the unjust treatment of God. The evil diction of God will eventually lead to a massive problem in the long run. The unhappy judgments are a result of human affairs when such a judgment is delivered. Often the jury members favor the wicked or unjust people. Hence, they do not favor the truth but the people regarding their rank.
The position, wealth, and relation of the person determine whether someone should be favorable or not. This Biblical verse brings forth partiality or favoritism, which can eventually be a reason for the downfall.
“A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
The verse brings forth the importance of having a loyal or good friend. A good friend’s quality involves being loyal, hard times, or in good circumstances. Jesus has given us the idea that we should have Loved for all our friends.
The Biblical verse shows that friendship becomes more precious and intense when loyalty is the importance of friendship. When we have a friend to comfort ourselves, we will always be moving forward. Hence, the Jewish scripture refers to never abandoning a friend and never leaving out the family members.
Friendship is a fragile yet strong bond. When the confidence is broken due to mistrust or gossip, it will eventually lead to a major problem. We should be careful with our words because often it can be a sharp blade that will cut through the bond of friendship.
Hence, the Scripture is a subtle reminder of being loyal to our friends and never keeping secrets from them. Every great friendship is a result of mutual trust, which will eventually grow with time.
“For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.”
There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.
Misfortunes come into everyone’s way. Hence, in such situations, we must take proper care of it. This verse upholds the importance of people for whom we can be there. Poverty can strike anyone, be it us or anyone else. But if we are in a better position than them, it is our responsibility to look after them. The verse shows that poverty will strike people all time, and one or the other will be poor.
But, we shouldn’t be close-hearted to deny help to people. We should keep our hands to ourselves and extend it for help. Although God is a benevolent being, he won’t ever make everyone equal, but he surely will love everyone equally.
‘Needy’ is a far more powerful word than the poor. It is up to us that we explore our charitability by putting in efforts to make everyone equal. The poor may, however, often be poverty-stricken owing to their disobedience to God. The Jewish symbols have always brought forth the concept of ‘To Love Thy Neighbor, is to Love Thy God.’
The next song, performed by singer Motti Steimantz, is based on verse number Jeremiah, 31:20. In the name of God, the prophet Jeremiah says that Ephraim, referring to the people of Israel, is still his beloved son. He remembers him, misses him, and loves him.
“Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD.”
“(To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.) Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.”
This is the Psalm of David, which was spoken when he hired people to look after the fallen ones. The word ‘blessed’ refers more to the concept of being Happy. The primary meaning of the verse is reflected in verse itself. The Biblical verse brings forth the concept of ‘considering the poor.’ The word is a process that finds an important place.
Like the previous verses, it can be analyzed that many people on Earth will be prone to sufferings because they disobeyed God. However, it is the people’s role to take up the responsibility of the weaker section or the poor ones. Strong are the ones who can uphold themselves and yet be there for people who will be there for you. When we are there for weak or poor people, God will be with us when we need him.
“He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.”
The verse is itself a reflection of being kind and generous to God. Throughout the Old Testament, the importance of helping others and loving your neighbor as yourself is shown. Hence, this verse reflects the same, with the idea that anyone who doesn’t love the poor, looks down upon them, and doesn’t help them grow is moving away from God.
The one who helps others and is there for people is a reflection of compassion towards God. If we are to uphold our faith in God, we should show our contempt and compassion to not only Him but also His people. The word ‘poor’ would, however, reflect weak (financially and physically) people.
“Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.”
Solomon delivers the Proverb. The importance of attention is shown through the verse. The phrase reflects the idea of giving out as a sign of duty.
When we are blessed by God and have His Love at our withholding, it is our responsibility to give it out to others. As a result, we should focus on treating everyone right and equal.
When we have something good coming our way, we should focus on sharing it with our peers. Being good or treating everyone right can, however, be of different forms.
The concept of honoring goes both ways. When one person honors the duty and works and is obedient to the other, it should be reciprocated to bring forth the idea of holding Love and compassion.
The duty of serving and compassion should be shown through children, parents, spiritual power, church members, young people, and senior citizens eventually.
The next song, performed by singer Motti Steimantz, is based on a verse in Psalms. King David sings a love song to God and describes how his soul longs for God, like a deer thirsty for water (originally in Hebrew – in the parable translation does not appear).
“My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?” (Psalms 42:2)
8. Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. 9. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Not everyone has the same rights, powers, and privileges as us. Hence, in situations like this, it becomes difficult to stay right. However, the poor do not refer to financially weak people and someone who cannot speak for themselves.
People who are not strong or privileged enough often fail to speak for themselves when the unjust rule is bestowed upon them. Hence, in such situations, it becomes our responsibility to show our Love to people. It is on to us that we should speak for the weaker ones and, eventually, save their rights.
Not only should we speak up for themselves, but we should also work on defending them. It is our responsibility to defend the rights of needy and older adults and help them recover strength. We have come across different people who need our help. Hence, we should recover and help others.
“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.”
Being kind and helpful to the weaker section of society will eventually help us grow in the long run. According to this verse, anyone who helps God will eventually bring about the reward for them. The concept of “To serve thy neighbor is to serve God” “To love thy neighbor is to love God” is echoed throughout the verse.
If you are kind and benevolent towards your fellow mates, God will reward you. As the saying goes, anyone who does something positive will yield positive results in no time. However, one should never expect anything in return but go out of his way to help and show Love to his people.
“He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.”
The importance of generosity is echoed throughout the verse. Being generous will always bear fruitful results. God will always bless anyone who is generous to the poor and helps the needy because he shares his food with his neighbour and will eventually receive a positive reward from God.
“Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.”
Everyone should walk on the path of positivity and should seek justice. We should work towards defending strong and poor people. We should help people who are in need, one without a father and one without a husband. Hence, we can be there for them and help them get through tough situations.
