Topical Bible: The Love of Christ: Passes Knowledge

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The concept of the love of Christ surpassing human understanding is a profound theme in Christian theology, deeply rooted in the New Testament. This love is often described as immeasurable, unconditional, and transformative, reflecting the very nature of Christ Himself.

Biblical Foundation

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, articulates this concept with great clarity. In Ephesians 3:17-19 , he writes, "so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth of His love, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." Here, Paul emphasizes that the love of Christ is not only vast and multidimensional but also beyond human comprehension. It is a love that believers are called to experience and be filled with, despite its incomprehensible nature.

Characteristics of Christ's Love

1. Unconditional: The love of Christ is not contingent upon human actions or worthiness. Romans 5:8 states, "But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." This demonstrates that Christ's love is given freely, without precondition, and is extended even to those who are undeserving.

2. Sacrificial: The ultimate expression of Christ's love is His sacrificial death on the cross. John 15:13 declares, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." This sacrificial nature underscores the depth and seriousness of His love, as He willingly gave Himself for the redemption of humanity.

3. Transformative: The love of Christ has the power to transform lives. In 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 , Paul writes, "For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again." This transformative aspect of Christ's love compels believers to live lives that reflect His love and sacrifice.

Experiencing the Love of Christ

Experiencing the love of Christ is both a personal and communal journey. It begins with faith and is nurtured through a relationship with Him. Believers are encouraged to seek a deeper understanding and experience of this love through prayer, study of the Scriptures, and participation in the life of the Church. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in revealing and manifesting Christ's love in the hearts of believers, as seen in Romans 5:5 : "And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us."

Implications for Believers

The love of Christ that surpasses knowledge has profound implications for how believers live and interact with others. It calls for a life of love, service, and sacrifice, mirroring the love that Christ has shown. In John 13:34-35 , Jesus commands, "A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another." This commandment highlights the expectation that believers will reflect Christ's love in their relationships and communities.

In summary, the love of Christ is a central tenet of the Christian faith, characterized by its immeasurable depth and transformative power. It is a love that believers are called to experience, embody, and share with the world, despite its surpassing human understanding.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 3:19
And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Love Unknowable and Known
... And, in like manner, we may say that this known love passes knowledge, inasmuch
as ... of and all blessed participation in the love of Jesus Christ which come ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/love unknowable and known.htm

The Measure of the Cross
... Paul's words true, when he says, that Christ's love passes knowledge; and therefore
that we shall find this also;"that however broad we may think Christ's ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xv the measure of.htm

Wherefore it is Better to Take Entent to the Love of God than to ...
... in virtue, and freely enjoy their Maker: and their mind, changed, now passes into
the ... Wherefore let us seek rather that the love of Christ burn within us ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter v wherefore it is.htm

One of Paul's Prayers
... It passes knowledge to know it all: but, if it were not possible to me to know the
love of Christ in my own measure, Paul would never mock me by such a prayer. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/xii one of pauls prayers.htm

The Gifts of the Present Christ
... The love that Christ stamps with His hall-mark, and passes as genuine, is no mere
emotion, however passionate, however sweet; no mere sentiment ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the gifts of the present.htm

Love and Obedience
... And then, if that be so, what a change passes on the aspect of law ... is only one
reasonable ground upon which I may be called to love Jesus Christ, and that ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/love and obedience.htm

The Indwelling Christ
... for our being able to comprehend and know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge. ...
of faith as an open door through which Christ passes into the heart ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the indwelling christ.htm

Introductory
... one who was, as he wrote, at once resting and moving in the peace of God which passes
understanding, and in the love of Christ which passes knowledge; and what ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moule/philippian studies/chapter i introductory.htm

What Proves God's Love
... origin in, and are part of the manifestation of, the one transcendent fact, which
passes all understanding ... What kind of love does Christ's death declare to ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/what proves gods love.htm

Love Makes Suns
... That brings me to the last thought, which passes beyond the limits of ... shineth in
his strength.' Love always tends to likeness; and love to Christ will bring ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/love makes suns.htm