The concept of love, particularly the love of man for man, is a central theme in the Bible, reflecting the divine nature and the moral imperatives given by God. This love is characterized by selflessness, compassion, and a commitment to the well-being of others, as exemplified in various biblical narratives and teachings.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament lays the groundwork for understanding love among individuals, often expressed through the Hebrew word "ahavah." Leviticus 19:18 commands, "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD." This directive establishes a foundational principle for interpersonal relationships, emphasizing forgiveness and proactive care for others.

The account of Jonathan and David provides a profound example of friendship and love between individuals. In 1 Samuel 18:1, it is written, "After David had finished speaking with Saul, the souls of Jonathan and David were knit together, and Jonathan loved him as himself." This deep bond illustrates loyalty and sacrificial love, as Jonathan supports David despite the potential threat to his own future as heir to the throne.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament further develops the theme of love among individuals, with Jesus Christ's teachings and actions serving as the ultimate model. In the Gospel of John, Jesus commands His disciples, "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you" (John 15:12). This command elevates the standard of love to that which Christ Himself demonstrated, characterized by humility, service, and sacrifice.

The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) is a quintessential illustration of love transcending social and ethnic boundaries. When asked to define a neighbor, Jesus recounts the account of a Samaritan who shows mercy to a wounded Jew, emphasizing that love is demonstrated through action and compassion, regardless of societal divisions.

The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, frequently addresses the importance of love within the Christian community. In 1 Corinthians 13, often referred to as the "Love Chapter," Paul describes love as patient, kind, and enduring, stating, "And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love" (1 Corinthians 13:13). This passage underscores love as the highest virtue, essential for the unity and edification of the church.

Practical Expressions of Love

The early church provides practical examples of love in action. In Acts 2:44-45, the believers are described as having "all things in common" and selling their possessions to distribute to anyone in need. This communal lifestyle reflects a radical commitment to caring for one another, driven by love and the desire to meet the needs of the community.

The epistle of James further emphasizes the practical outworking of love, urging believers to demonstrate their faith through deeds. James 2:15-16 challenges, "If a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, stay warm and well fed,' but does not provide for their physical needs, what good is that?" This rhetorical question highlights the necessity of tangible expressions of love, beyond mere words.

Conclusion

The biblical portrayal of love among individuals is a call to embody the selfless, sacrificial love exemplified by Christ. Through both Old and New Testament teachings, believers are encouraged to cultivate relationships marked by compassion, service, and a commitment to the well-being of others, reflecting the divine love that God has shown to humanity.Exodus 32:31,32
And Moses returned to the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.
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Psalm 133:1-3
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!
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Proverbs 24:17,18
Rejoice not when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles:
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Matthew 5:41,42
And whoever shall compel you to go a mile, go with him two.
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Matthew 10:41,42
He that receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.
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Matthew 25:34-40
Then shall the King say to them on his right hand, Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
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Mark 9:41
For whoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you belong to Christ, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.
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Luke 10:25-37
And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
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Acts 20:26,27,31
Why I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
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Acts 26:29
And Paul said, I would to God, that not only you, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.
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Romans 1:12
That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
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Romans 5:7
For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
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Romans 9:1-3
I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
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Romans 12:15,16
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
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Romans 14:19,21
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things with which one may edify another.
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Romans 15:1,2,5,7,14,15,24,32
We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
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Romans 16:1-16,19
I commend to you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
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1 Corinthians 1:4
I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
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1 Corinthians 4:14-16
I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
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1 Corinthians 10:24
Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
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2 Corinthians 1:3-6,14,23,24
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
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2 Corinthians 2:1-17
But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.
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2 Corinthians 3:2
You are our letter written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
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2 Corinthians 4:5
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
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2 Corinthians 6:4-6,11-13
But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
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2 Corinthians 7:1-4,7,12
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
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2 Corinthians 11:2
For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
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2 Corinthians 12:14-16,19-21
Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not your's but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
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2 Corinthians 13:9
For we are glad, when we are weak, and you are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.
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Galatians 4:11-20
I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed on you labor in vain.
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Galatians 6:1,2,10
Brothers, if a man be overtaken in a fault, you which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering yourself, lest you also be tempted.
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Ephesians 3:13
Why I desire that you faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
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Ephesians 4:2,32
With all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love;
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Ephesians 6:22,24
Whom I have sent to you for the same purpose, that you might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
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Philippians 1:3-5,7,8,23-26
I thank my God on every remembrance of you,
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Philippians 2:19
But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly to you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
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Philippians 3:18
(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
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Philippians 4:1
Therefore, my brothers dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
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Colossians 1:3,4,24,28,29
We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
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Colossians 2:1,5
For I would that you knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
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Colossians 4:7
All my state shall Tychicus declare to you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord:
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1 Thessalonians 1:3,4
Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
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1 Thessalonians 2:7,8,11,12,17-20
But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherishes her children:
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1 Thessalonians 3:5,7-10,12
For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labor be in vain.
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1 Thessalonians 5:8,11,14
But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
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2 Thessalonians 1:4
So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure:
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1 Timothy 1:5
Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
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1 Timothy 5:9,10
Let not a widow be taken into the number under three score years old, having been the wife of one man.
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1 Timothy 6:2,11
And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brothers; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
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2 Timothy 1:3,4,8
I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of you in my prayers night and day;
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2 Timothy 2:10
Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
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Philemon 1:8,9,12,16-21
Why, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin you that which is convenient,
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Hebrews 5:2
Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.
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Hebrews 6:9,10
But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
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Hebrews 13:1-3,22
Let brotherly love continue.
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James 1:27
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
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On Religion; the Natural and Divine Life; and the Exemplification ...
... PART I. On Religion; the Natural and Divine Life; and the exemplification of Divine
Love in our ... Others place it in the outward man, in a constant course of ...
/.../scougal/the life of god in the soul of man/part i on religion the.htm

Signs to Know the Inner Man, and the Mind That's Purged.
... as this is free from the outward Man, and easily ... to this inward retirement, with
enlightened Exemplification in God ... accompanied with an ardent love of roughness ...
/.../the spiritual guide which disentangles the soul/chap xvi signs to know.htm

God's Love for a Sinning World
... teaches us that God's love for man, lost in ... the idea of great self-denial but for
such an exemplification. 7. This love was particular because it was universal ...
//christianbookshelf.org/finney/sermons on gospel themes/i gods love for a.htm

The Love that Calls us Sons
... the sons of God as the great exemplification of the ... to His death, if we would estimate
the love of God. ... most wonderful revelation to every heart of man of the ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the love that calls us.htm

The Life of God in the Soul of Man
... in the Soul of Man Henry Scougal. Table of Contents. Title Page. PART I. On Religion;
the Natural and Divine Life; and the exemplification of Divine Love in our ...
//christianbookshelf.org/scougal/the life of god in the soul of man/

The Second Series of Parables - the Two Parables of Him who is ...
... Need looks up to love, and by its cry elicits the boon ... felt, that it not only points
to an exemplification, but appeals to every man's consciousness of ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xv the second series.htm

The Three Parables of Warning: to the Individual, to the Nation ...
... For, the love of these things will engross mind and ... Death appeared to him, grieved
for man, since you ... This Parable offers not merely an exemplification of this ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xvi the three parables.htm

Paul's Last Letter
... there can be no doubtful questions for man to settle ... Paul's life was an exemplification
of the truths he taught ... The love of the Saviour was the undying motive ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 49 pauls last letter.htm

God's Sovereignty Defined
... great multitude" as this one "certain man." But He ... we say, what an illustration and
exemplification of Romans ... God is Sovereign in the exercise of His love. Ah! ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter one gods sovereignty defined.htm

'Over against his House'
... Passion there was this in it:"the exemplification for all ... wrought on men"that a
sympathising man shall give ... single souls on fire with His love, and tender ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/over against his house.htm

What is love? What is the definition of love? | GotQuestions.org

What is agape love? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about self-love, loving self? | GotQuestions.org

Love: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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