Loving Men
Jump to: TopicalGreekHebrewLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of loving men, as presented in the Bible, encompasses a broad spectrum of relationships and interactions, rooted in the fundamental Christian principle of love. This love is not limited to romantic or familial bonds but extends to all human interactions, emphasizing the importance of love as a reflection of God's nature and commandments.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible consistently underscores the importance of love as a central tenet of Christian life. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ articulates the greatest commandments, which include loving God and loving one's neighbor. In Matthew 22:37-39 , Jesus states, "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’" This directive establishes the foundation for loving others, including men, as an expression of one's love for God.

Brotherly Love

The concept of brotherly love, or "philia," is a significant aspect of loving men in the Bible. This type of love is characterized by deep friendship and mutual respect. Romans 12:10 encourages believers to "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another." This passage highlights the importance of fostering strong, supportive relationships among men, grounded in mutual respect and honor.

Agape Love

Agape love, the selfless, unconditional love that God has for humanity, is the highest form of love and serves as a model for how men should love one another. In 1 John 4:7-8 , the apostle John writes, "Beloved, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." This passage emphasizes that loving others, including men, is a reflection of one's relationship with God and an essential aspect of Christian identity.

Love in Action

The Bible calls for love to be demonstrated through actions, not merely words. In 1 John 3:18 , believers are exhorted, "Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth." This directive encourages men to express love through tangible acts of kindness, service, and support, reflecting the love of Christ in their daily lives.

Forgiveness and Reconciliation

Loving men also involves forgiveness and reconciliation, as demonstrated by Jesus' teachings. In Matthew 6:14-15 , Jesus teaches, "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours." This passage underscores the importance of forgiveness as an expression of love, promoting healing and unity among men.

Encouragement and Edification

The Bible encourages believers to build each other up through love. In 1 Thessalonians 5:11 , Paul writes, "Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing." This call to edification highlights the role of love in strengthening and supporting fellow believers, fostering a community of faith and mutual encouragement.

Conclusion

The biblical mandate to love men is a multifaceted command that encompasses brotherly love, agape love, forgiveness, and active demonstration of love through service and encouragement. This love is rooted in the character of God and is a reflection of one's relationship with Him, serving as a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel in the lives of believers.
Topical Bible Verses
Matthew 10:37
He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Topicalbible.org

Greek
5362. philandros -- loving men, (of a wife) loving her husband
... loving men, (of a wife) loving her husband. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration:
philandros Phonetic Spelling: (fil'-an-dros) Short Definition: loving ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5362.htm - 7k

5358. philagathos -- loving that which is good
... good NASB Word Usage loving what (1), loving what is good (1). love of good. From
philos and agathos; fond to good, ie A promoter of virtue -- love of good men. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5358.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew
2896. towb -- pleasant, agreeable, good
... man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women ... liest, -ly, -ness,
-s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, X ...
/hebrew/2896.htm - 6k
Library

Of Another Kind of Perverted Men
... And they would be God-seeing men without loving and steadfast contemplation, and
the holiest of all men living without the works of holiness. ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter lxvii of another kind.htm

The Precept of Loving One's Enemies it is as Much Taught in the ...
... Chapter XVI."The Precept of Loving One's Enemies It is as Much Taught in the ... to provide,
in consideration of the nature and the faith of men, that the man ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xvi the precept of loving.htm

Showing How Some Men Live Contrary to These Exercises
... All these men live contrary to charity and to the loving introversion in which a
man offers himself up, with all that he can achieve, for the honour and love ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter lxvi showing how some.htm

The Seventh Chapter: Loving Jesus Above all Things
... THE INTERIOR LIFE The Seventh Chapter: Loving Jesus Above All Things. ... You will find,
apart from Him, that nearly all the trust you place in men is a total loss. ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the seventh chapter loving jesus.htm

Of Gratitude
... Omnipotence. The praise of God is the meet and proper work of the angels
and the saints in heaven, and of loving men on earth. God ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter xiii of gratitude.htm

God's Need of Men who Pray
... How far remote is all this from the character of the sin-loving, worldly-minded,
fleshly disposed men, soiled by fleshly lusts, spotted by worldly indulgence ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the weapon of prayer/iv gods need of men.htm

Loving Advice for Anxious Seekers
... Loving Advice for Anxious Seekers. A Sermon (No.735). ... "If any of you lack wisdom,
let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 13 1867/loving advice for anxious seekers.htm

2 Thessalonians ii. 9-Jun
... of the Truth." "For because," says he, "they received not the love of the truth."
For He was both, and came for the sake of both, both as loving men, and on ...
/.../homily iv 2 thessalonians ii.htm

Of the Conformity of Our Will to the Will which God Has to Save Us ...
... agreeable, delicious, and as the Greeks, after S. Paul, said; it is a true Philanthropy,
that is a benevolence or a will entirely loving towards men. ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter iv of the conformity.htm

That Our Progress in Holy Love Does not Depend on Our Natural ...
... and that such as are of an affectionate and loving nature are best adapted for it.
Now I suppose he means not that sacred love is distributed to men or angels ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter i that our progress.htm

Resources
How can a loving God send someone to hell? | GotQuestions.org

Why is loving others often so difficult? | GotQuestions.org

Is loving God an emotion, a feeling, or a decision? | GotQuestions.org

Loving: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Loving

Loving a Married Man

Loving God

Loving Men

Loving My Family

Loving One Another

Loving Other Gods

Loving Thy Neighbor

Loving Unconditionally

Loving Your Body

Loving Your Brother and Sister

Loving Your Enemies

Loving Your Enemy

Loving Your Neighbor

Loving Your Wife

Loving Yourself

Related Terms

Loving-kindnesses (8 Occurrences)

Loving-kindness (150 Occurrences)

Peace-loving (2 Occurrences)

Pleasure-loving (1 Occurrence)

Unfailing (29 Occurrences)

Kindnesses (11 Occurrences)

Endures (75 Occurrences)

Abounding (28 Occurrences)

Steadfast (194 Occurrences)

Wondrous (41 Occurrences)

Mercies (62 Occurrences)

Shewn (46 Occurrences)

Slow (43 Occurrences)

Lovingkindnesses (11 Occurrences)

Iddo (14 Occurrences)

Forevermore (27 Occurrences)

Fond (6 Occurrences)

Reaches (26 Occurrences)

Skies (36 Occurrences)

Showing (41 Occurrences)

Evermore (44 Occurrences)

Sang (28 Occurrences)

Merciful (53 Occurrences)

Wonderful (71 Occurrences)

Revive (31 Occurrences)

Tender (66 Occurrences)

Preserve (61 Occurrences)

Saving (37 Occurrences)

Dove (27 Occurrences)

Abundant (124 Occurrences)

Rebellion (51 Occurrences)

Goodness (83 Occurrences)

Kindness (295 Occurrences)

Commands (216 Occurrences)

Gracious (106 Occurrences)

Awesome (47 Occurrences)

Shown (131 Occurrences)

Victories (5 Occurrences)

Visiting (10 Occurrences)

Unpunished (24 Occurrences)

Uprightness (46 Occurrences)

Lovely (19 Occurrences)

Wondrously (6 Occurrences)

Forgiving (11 Occurrences)

Triumphs (5 Occurrences)

Trusts (35 Occurrences)

Relents (2 Occurrences)

Deliverances (8 Occurrences)

Debate (13 Occurrences)

Sing (147 Occurrences)

Morn (8 Occurrences)

Confide (31 Occurrences)

Contemplation (11 Occurrences)

Children's (28 Occurrences)

Compassionate (22 Occurrences)

Confideth (11 Occurrences)

Solace (2 Occurrences)

Shows (42 Occurrences)

Sinful (61 Occurrences)

Satisfy (32 Occurrences)

Protect (32 Occurrences)

Praised (101 Occurrences)

Marvelous (30 Occurrences)

Withdrawn (28 Occurrences)

Thousands (65 Occurrences)

Keeping (282 Occurrences)

Disobedience (49 Occurrences)

Pity (165 Occurrences)

Extended (40 Occurrences)

Thanks (151 Occurrences)

Praises (66 Occurrences)

Deserted (54 Occurrences)

Hating (95 Occurrences)

Praising (35 Occurrences)

Reserved (28 Occurrences)

Obedience (61 Occurrences)

Trinity

Choirmaster (55 Occurrences)

Transgressions (64 Occurrences)

Loving Husband
Top of Page
Top of Page