Topical Bible: Love to Man: The Wicked Devoid of

◄ Love to Man: The Wicked Devoid of ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical narrative, love is a central theme that underscores the relationship between God and humanity, as well as among individuals. However, Scripture delineates a stark contrast between the righteous, who are characterized by love, and the wicked, who are devoid of it. The absence of love in the wicked is a recurring theme that highlights their moral and spiritual deficiencies.

Characteristics of the Wicked

The wicked are often depicted in the Bible as those who reject God's commandments and live in opposition to His will. Their lack of love is a defining trait that manifests in various forms of unrighteous behavior. Proverbs 10:12 states, "Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all transgressions." This verse contrasts the divisive nature of hatred, often found in the wicked, with the unifying power of love.

Absence of Compassion

The wicked are frequently portrayed as lacking compassion and empathy towards others. In the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Jesus illustrates the failure of the priest and the Levite, who, despite their religious status, pass by the injured man without offering help. Their actions reflect a lack of love and compassion, qualities that are expected of those who follow God's commandments.

Selfishness and Greed

The wicked are often driven by selfishness and greed, which further exemplifies their lack of love. In 1 John 3:17 , it is written, "If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?" This rhetorical question underscores the expectation that love should manifest in generosity and care for others, a standard the wicked fail to meet.

Deceit and Malice

Deceit and malice are additional indicators of the absence of love in the wicked. Psalm 36:1-3 describes the wicked as having "no fear of God before his eyes," and that "the words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and well-doing." The psalmist highlights the moral corruption that stems from a heart devoid of love, leading to actions that harm others.

Judgment and Consequences

The Bible warns of the consequences that befall the wicked due to their lack of love. In Matthew 25:41-46 , Jesus speaks of the final judgment, where those who failed to show love and compassion to "the least of these" are condemned. This passage serves as a sobering reminder of the eternal implications of living a life devoid of love.

Call to Love

Despite the grim portrayal of the wicked, Scripture consistently calls individuals to a higher standard of love. Romans 13:8-10 exhorts believers to "owe no one anything, except to love one another, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law." This call to love serves as a counterpoint to the behavior of the wicked, emphasizing the transformative power of love in aligning one's life with God's will.

In summary, the Bible presents the wicked as those who are devoid of love, characterized by selfishness, deceit, and a lack of compassion. Their actions stand in stark contrast to the biblical mandate to love one's neighbor, highlighting the moral and spiritual chasm between the righteous and the wicked.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 John 3:10
In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whoever does not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loves not his brother.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Whether an Angel Loves Another with Natural Love as He Loves ...
... Thus a man loves his fellow townsman with a social love, while he loves a blood ... Nor
can such natural love be stripped from the wicked angels, without ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether an angel loves another.htm

Sunday Before Lent
... deception. 27. Fourteenth, love "hopeth all things." Love despairs of no
man, however wicked he may be. It hopes for the best. As ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/sunday before lent.htm

Recapitulation of Former Exhortations. ...
... the force of angry feelings, are yet held to punish those whom they love, not from ...
When man, then, had been deceived and beguiled by the wicked demon, let ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily vii recapitulation of former.htm

Peace, Love, and Faith
... A man cannot get to love more by saying, 'I am ... is sweet, and sweet because I love
it, and love Him whose ... There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked,' he is ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/peace love and faith.htm

God's People Delivered.
... The lord of the vineyard "will miserably destroy those wicked men." In the sin ... should
lay aside His glory, and humiliate Himself from love to man, will ever ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /40 gods people delivered.htm

God's People Delivered
... The lord of the vineyard "will miserably destroy those wicked men." In the sin ... should
lay aside His glory and humiliate Himself from love to man will ever ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 40 gods people delivered.htm

On the Organization of the Monks: Its Origin and Founders.
... They regard every man as wicked, who, though ... water; and that there were women among
them who had lived as virgins to old age, who, for the love of philosophy ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter xii on the organization of.htm

Rom. xiii. 1
... virtue easier for thee in other ways also, by chastising the wicked, by benefiting ...
thy neighbor as thyself." What can be equal to this love to man, or this ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxiii rom xiii 1.htm

Saints' Days, Fasts, and Festivals. Passion-Tide.
... Infinite, Eternal Love"alone of all beings devoid of self-love! ... even so in Christ
shall all be made alive;" and again, "When the wicked man turns from his ...
/.../kingsley/daily thoughts /saints days fasts & festivals 4.htm

Matt. xxvii. 27-29.
... receives the utmost harm; as, on the other hand, the wicked man, if he ... unto which
God grant we all may attain, by the grace and love towards man of our ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxxvii matt xxvii 27-29.htm