The concept of being "well-loved" in the Bible is deeply rooted in the understanding of God's love for His creation and the love that believers are called to exhibit towards one another. The term "well-loved" can be seen as an expression of the deep affection and favor that God shows to His people, as well as the love that believers are encouraged to cultivate within the community of faith.

Divine Love

The Bible frequently emphasizes God's love for humanity as a central theme. In the Old Testament, God's love is often described in terms of His covenantal faithfulness. Deuteronomy 7:9 states, "Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments." This passage highlights the enduring and steadfast nature of God's love, which is extended to those who are faithful to Him.

In the New Testament, the love of God is most profoundly demonstrated through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. John 3:16 declares, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." This verse encapsulates the sacrificial nature of God's love, which is offered to all humanity.

Love Among Believers

The Bible also calls believers to love one another deeply, reflecting the love they have received from God. Jesus commands His disciples in John 13:34-35 , "A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another." This commandment underscores the importance of love as a defining characteristic of the Christian community.

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on the nature of love in 1 Corinthians 13, often referred to as the "Love Chapter." In verses 4-7 , he writes, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." This passage provides a comprehensive description of what it means to be well-loved and to love well.

Examples of Well-loved Individuals

Throughout the Bible, there are numerous examples of individuals who were well-loved by God and others. David, described as "a man after God's own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14), experienced God's favor and love despite his imperfections. His psalms often reflect a deep understanding of God's lovingkindness.

In the New Testament, the Apostle John is often referred to as "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (John 13:23). This special relationship highlights the personal and intimate nature of Jesus' love for His followers.

Conclusion

The concept of being well-loved in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing both the divine love that God extends to humanity and the love that believers are called to share with one another. It is a love that is sacrificial, enduring, and transformative, serving as a testament to the character of God and the identity of His people.

Perils to the virgins Themselves Attendant Upon Not-Veiling.
... while she is penetrated by the gaze of untrustworthy and multitudinous' eyes, while
she is tickled by pointing fingers, while she is too well loved, while she ...
/.../tertullian/on the veiling of virgins/chapter xiv perils to the virgins.htm

Spurgeon -- Songs in the Night
... the hoary mountains were begotten, or ere the aged hills were children, chose thee,
loved thee firmly, loved thee fast, loved thee well, loved thee eternally. ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 8/spurgeon songs in the.htm

The Disciples' Return.
... burned within them as He talked to them by the way and opened unto them the Scriptures."
But He is gone!"that voice is now hushed"the well-loved path, worn ...
/.../macduff/memories of bethany/xxiii the disciples return.htm

Letter clxi. To Amphilochius on his Consecration as Bishop.
... You know that to a father's heart every time is suitable to embrace a
well-loved son, and that affection is stronger than words. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter clxi to amphilochius on.htm

Letter of the Council to St. Agatho.
... and from John, the most religious deacon, and from Constantine, the most venerable
sub-deacon, all of them your spiritual children and our well-loved brethren. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/letter of the council to.htm

Songs in the Night
... the hoary mountains were begotten, or ere the aged hills were children, chose thee,
loved thee firmly, loved thee fast, loved thee well, loved thee eternally. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 44 1898/songs in the night.htm

The Knowledge of God
... and gratitude than his Father is?" His Father, for whose honour he was jealous with
a divine jealousy" His Father, who, he knows well, loved the world ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxi the knowledge of.htm

Some Hymns and Hymn-Books
... It might have been hard in 1883, though it was too easy in 1916, to suppress that
well-loved hymn, but Barrett was under no definite obligation to add another ...
/.../manning/the hymns of wesley and watts five papers/some hymns and hymn-books.htm

Well-loved (8 Occurrences)
Well-loved. Well-living, Well-loved. Well-mixed . Multi-Version
Concordance Well-loved (8 Occurrences). Ephesians 5:1 ...
/w/well-loved.htm - 8k

Well-living (1 Occurrence)
Well-living. Well-leading, Well-living. Well-loved . Multi-Version Concordance ...
Well-leading, Well-living. Well-loved . Reference Bible.
/w/well-living.htm - 6k

Well-mixed (2 Occurrences)
Well-mixed. Well-loved, Well-mixed. Well-nigh . Multi-Version Concordance
Well-mixed (2 Occurrences). ... Well-loved, Well-mixed. Well-nigh . Reference Bible
/w/well-mixed.htm - 7k

Tents (284 Occurrences)
... Revelation 20:9 And they went up over the face of the earth, and made a circle about
the tents of the saints, and the wellloved town: and fire came down out ...
/t/tents.htm - 35k

Tested (80 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 6:21 But so that you may have knowledge of my business, and how I am,
Tychicus, the well-loved brother and tested servant in the Lord, will give you ...
/t/tested.htm - 28k

Medical (10 Occurrences)
... make her well, (BBE). Colossians 4:14 Luke, our well-loved medical friend,
and Demas, send you their love. (BBE). 2 Chronicles 16:12 ...
/m/medical.htm - 9k

Pouch (3 Occurrences)
... (See NAS NIV). Song of Songs 1:13 As a bag of myrrh is my well-loved one to me,
when he is at rest all night between my breasts. (See NAS). ...
/p/pouch.htm - 7k

Circle (32 Occurrences)
... Revelation 20:9 And they went up over the face of the earth, and made a circle about
the tents of the saints, and the wellloved town: and fire came down out ...
/c/circle.htm - 17k

Sends (94 Occurrences)
... God's will. (WEY BBE NAS NIV). Colossians 4:14 Luke, our well-loved medical friend,
and Demas, send you their love. (See NAS). 2 Thessalonians ...
/s/sends.htm - 32k

Agreement (341 Occurrences)
... Acts 15:25 It seemed good to us, having come to an agreement together, to send
these men to you, with our wellloved Barnabas and Paul, (BBE). ...
/a/agreement.htm - 36k

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