Divine Love Defined

What does the word "love" mean? Love has been described as the greatest need humans have. From the cradle to the grave, people strive after love, thrive in its warmth, even pine away and die for lack of it. Nonetheless,it is surprisingly difficult to define it. Of course, some people talk a lot about love. There is an endless stream of books, songs and poems about it. The results do not always clarify the meaning of love. If anything, the word is so overused that its true meaning seems ever more elusive.

The Bible, however, teaches with clarity about love. Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words notes: "Love can be known only from the actions it prompts." The Bible record of Jehovah's actions teaches us a great deal about his love-the benevolent affection he has for his creatures. For example, what could reveal more about his quality than Jehovah's own supreme act of love described earlier? In the Chapters to follow, we will see many other examples of Jehovah's love in action. Additionally, we can gain some insight from the original words for "love." Of these, the one used most often in the Christian Greek Scriptures is a-ga'pe. One Bible dictionary calls this "the most powerful word imaginable for love." Why?

A-ga'pe refers to love that is guided by principle. So it is more than just an emotional response to another person. It is broader in scope, more thoughtful and deliberate in its basis. Above all, a-ga'pe is utterly unselfish. For example, look again at John 3:16. What is "the world" that God love so much that he gave his only-begotten Son? It is the world of redeemable mankind. That includes many people who are pursuing a sinful course in life. Does Jehovah love each one as a personal friend, the way he loved faithful Abraham? (James 2:23) No, but Jehovah lovingly extends goodness toward all, even at great cost to himself. He wants all to repent and change their ways. (2 Peter 3:9) Many do. These he happily receives as his friends.

Some, though, have the wrong idea about a-ga'pe. they think that it means a cold, intellectual type of love. The fact that a-ga'pe often includes warm personal affection. For example, when John wrote: "The Father loves the Son," he used a form of the word a-ga'pe. Is that love devoid of warm affection? Note that Jesus said, "The Father has affection for the Son," using a form of the word phi-le'o. (John 3:35; 5:20) Jehovah's love often includes tender affection. However, his love is never swayed by mere sentiment. It is always guided by his wise and just principles.

As we have seen, all of Jehovah's qualities are sterling, perfect and appealing. But love is the most appealing of all. Nothing draws us so powerfully to Jehovah. Happily, love is also his dominant quality. How do we know that?

Next time: "God Is Love"

Draw Close To Jehovah, 2002