Family Love
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Family love, as depicted in the Bible, is a foundational element of God's design for human relationships. It is characterized by commitment, sacrifice, and a reflection of God's love for His people. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and teachings that illustrate the importance and nature of love within the family unit.

Biblical Foundations

The concept of family love is rooted in the creation narrative. In Genesis 2:24 , it is written, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." This verse underscores the establishment of the marital bond as the cornerstone of family life, emphasizing unity and love between husband and wife.

The Ten Commandments further highlight the significance of family relationships. Exodus 20:12 instructs, "Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you." This commandment underscores the respect and love children are to show their parents, which is a vital aspect of family love.

Parental Love

Parental love is a recurring theme in the Bible, often depicted as nurturing and instructive. Proverbs 22:6 advises, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." This verse highlights the responsibility of parents to guide their children with love and wisdom.

The New Testament also speaks to the role of parents. Ephesians 6:4 states, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." This passage emphasizes the balance of discipline and love, encouraging parents to foster a nurturing environment.

Sibling Love

The Bible also addresses the love between siblings. The account of Joseph and his brothers in Genesis illustrates both the challenges and the redemptive power of sibling relationships. Despite the initial jealousy and betrayal, Joseph ultimately forgives his brothers, demonstrating love and reconciliation (Genesis 50:15-21).

The New Testament reinforces the importance of sibling love within the family of believers. 1 John 4:20-21 states, "If anyone says, 'I love God,' but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And we have this commandment from Him: Whoever loves God must love his brother as well."

Marital Love

Marital love is portrayed as a profound and sacrificial bond. Ephesians 5:25 instructs, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her." This verse sets a high standard for marital love, calling husbands to emulate Christ's selfless love.

The Song of Solomon celebrates the beauty and passion of marital love, depicting it as a gift from God. This poetic book highlights the joy and intimacy that characterize a loving marriage.

Extended Family and Community

The Bible also extends the concept of family love to the broader community of faith. In 1 Timothy 5:1-2 , Paul advises, "Do not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as to a father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity." This passage encourages believers to view one another as family, fostering a community of love and respect.

Conclusion

Family love, as presented in the Bible, is a reflection of God's love and a vital component of His design for human relationships. Through the examples and teachings found in Scripture, believers are called to cultivate love within their families, mirroring the love of Christ in their interactions with one another.
Topical Bible Verses
Titus 2:4
That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
Topicalbible.org

Ephesians 5:33
Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
Topicalbible.org

Ephesians 5:28
So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loves his wife loves himself.
Topicalbible.org

Ephesians 5:25
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Topicalbible.org

1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity envies not; charity braggs not itself, is not puffed up,
Topicalbible.org

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity envies not; charity braggs not itself, is not puffed up,
Topicalbible.org

Ephesians 6:2
Honor your father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;
Topicalbible.org

Greek
5387. philostorgos -- tenderly loving
... to. 5387 (from 5384 , "lover, friend" and , "natural or family love") --
properly, a lover of (used only in Ro 12:10). 5387 (" love ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5387.htm - 7k

5361. philadelphos -- loving one's brother
... friend" and 80 , "brother") -- "brotherly," referring to the love between fellow
family-members -- ie () people in (used only in 1 Pet 3:8). See 5360 (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5361.htm - 7k

Library

Family of Love.
... FAMILY OF LOVE. A sect that arose in Holland, in the sixteenth century,
founded by Henry Nicholas, a Westphalian. He maintained ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/family of love.htm

Psalm 133 Communion of Saints; Or, Love and Worship in a Family.
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 133 Communion of saints; or, Love and worship in a family.
SM Communion of saints; or, Love and worship in a family. ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/psalm 133 communion of saints.htm

Psalm 133:2. SM Communion of Saints; Or, Love and Worship in a ...
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 133:2. SM Communion of saints; or,
Love and worship in a family. 1 Blest are the sons of peace ...
/.../watts/the psalms of david/psalm 133 2 0 s m communion.htm

Tryphena and Tryphosa
... families in sunder, and to make 'a man's foes them of his own household'; and we
can little imagine how bitter the pang must have been when family love had to ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/tryphena and tryphosa.htm

Jonathan's Love for David
... THE OLD TESTAMENT JONATHAN'S LOVE FOR DAVID. ... permission of me to run to Bethlehem,
his native town, for the yearly sacrifice is there for all his family.' If he ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/jonathans love for david.htm

The Communion of Saints.
... The new-born child is unconscious of his relation to the family. He lives, but without
any attachment, inclination, love, or bond of union for the family. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxv the communion of saints.htm

On Family Religion
... consideration, " "In what business will your son be most likely to love and serve ...
glorious motive, send him to a heathen master, and into family where there ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 94 on family religion.htm

The Solidarity of the Human Family
... from non-Christian literature in which a similar love for love is expressed ... Is there
anything in our personal family history or family wealth and business which ...
/.../rauschenbusch/the social principles of jesus/chapter ii the solidarity of.htm

Priscilla and Aquila
... Not only wedded love, but family love, and all earthly love, are then most precious,
when into them there flows the ennobling, the calming, the transfiguring ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/priscilla and aquila.htm

Jehoshaphat's Reform
... Blessed is the home where the golden chain of common faith binds hearts together,
and family love is elevated and hallowed by common love of God! ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/jehoshaphats reform.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about family? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about family conflict? | GotQuestions.org

How does the Bible define a good Christian family? | GotQuestions.org

Family: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Family

Family and Friends

Family and Work

Family Conflict

Family Inheritance

Family Leader

Family Love

Family of Saints: Be Duly Regulated

Family of Saints: Blessed

Family of Saints: Deceivers and Liars should be Removed From

Family of Saints: Live in Mutual Forbearance

Family of Saints: Live in Unity

Family of Saints: Punishment of Irreligious

Family of Saints: Rejoice Together Before God

Family of Saints: should be Taught God's Word

Family of Saints: Warned Against Departing from God

Family of Saints: Worship God Together

Family Planning

Family Rejection

Family Relationship

Family Relationships

Family Unity

Family: Good: Abraham

Family: Good: Cornelius

Family: Good: Crispus

Family: Good: David

Family: Good: Jacob

Family: Good: Jailor of Philippi

Family: Good: Job

Family: Good: Joshua

Family: Good: Lazarus of Bethany

Family: Good: Lois

Family: Good: Lydia

Family: Government of

Family: Infelicity In

Family: Infelicity in Ahasuerus, on Account of Vashti's Refusing to Appear Before his Drunken Courtiers

Family: Infelicity in David and Michal

Family: Infelicity in Elkanah, on Account of Bigamic Feuds

Family: Infelicity in Moses and Zipporah

Family: Infelicity In of Abraham, on Account of Hagar

Family: Infelicity In of Isaac, on Account of the Disagreement Between Jacob and Esau

Family: Infelicity In of Jacob, the Bigamic Jealousy Between Leah and Rachel

Family: Instituted

Family: Persian, Domestic Customs

Family: Religion of The

Related Terms

Family's (1 Occurrence)

Zerahites (5 Occurrences)

Ko'hathites (19 Occurrences)

Kohathite (18 Occurrences)

Kohathites (18 Occurrences)

Kohath (30 Occurrences)

Mushite (2 Occurrences)

Mahlite (2 Occurrences)

Mushites (2 Occurrences)

Mahlites (2 Occurrences)

Priesthood (30 Occurrences)

Perez (19 Occurrences)

Beriah (10 Occurrences)

Bela (14 Occurrences)

Merari (38 Occurrences)

Belonged (105 Occurrences)

Begot (119 Occurrences)

Begat (112 Occurrences)

Zarhite (4 Occurrences)

Zarhites (4 Occurrences)

Zerahite (4 Occurrences)

Zer'ahites (2 Occurrences)

Korahite (3 Occurrences)

Korathites (1 Occurrence)

Korathite (1 Occurrence)

Ko'rahites (6 Occurrences)

Merar'i (32 Occurrences)

Merarite (8 Occurrences)

Beri'ah (10 Occurrences)

Brushed (2 Occurrences)

Amram (14 Occurrences)

Sparrow (4 Occurrences)

Children

Birthright (10 Occurrences)

Shemaiah (40 Occurrences)

Clan (96 Occurrences)

Zephonites (1 Occurrence)

Zelophehad (9 Occurrences)

Brother (402 Occurrences)

Malefactor (2 Occurrences)

Meremoth (6 Occurrences)

Primogeniture

Pictured (26 Occurrences)

Phaath

Bittern (4 Occurrences)

Beriites (1 Occurrence)

Becher (4 Occurrences)

Amramite (2 Occurrences)

Ahiramite (1 Occurrence)

Amramites (2 Occurrences)

Smaller (16 Occurrences)

Shim'e-ites (2 Occurrences)

Shuthelah (4 Occurrences)

Servant's (29 Occurrences)

Shimeites (2 Occurrences)

Clans (120 Occurrences)

Bedchamber (6 Occurrences)

Zerah (22 Occurrences)

Stock (16 Occurrences)

Korahites (7 Occurrences)

Kinsman (29 Occurrences)

Annas (4 Occurrences)

Bedstead (1 Occurrence)

Purity (16 Occurrences)

Adoption (5 Occurrences)

Maccabaeus

Zephonite (1 Occurrence)

Zabdi (17 Occurrences)

Zacharias (11 Occurrences)

Zorah (10 Occurrences)

Ze'phonites (1 Occurrence)

Zephon (5 Occurrences)

Zeb'ulun (41 Occurrences)

Kindred (41 Occurrences)

Kish (18 Occurrences)

Brethren (528 Occurrences)

Merar'ites (3 Occurrences)

Makir (17 Occurrences)

Merarites (7 Occurrences)

Family Legacy of Faith
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