Biblical Definition and Meaning of Love in Scripture

The concept of love in Scripture is multifaceted, expressed through several key Hebrew and Greek terms that convey different nuances of affection, devotion, and divine action. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word אַהֲבָה (ahabah) is frequently used, particularly in Wisdom Literature and later texts ^[4]. This term denotes love, appearing 18 times in its absolute form and several times with suffixes, such as in Psalm 109:4-5 and 2 Samuel 1:26 ^[4].

Ahabah describes human love, including love between individuals (Ecclesiastes 9:1, 6; Proverbs 10:12; 15:17; 27:5), love for oneself (1 Samuel 20:17), and the romantic love between a man and a woman, as seen in the Song of Solomon (2:4-5, 5:8; 8:6-7) and Proverbs 5:19 ^[4]. It can also refer to God's love for humanity and humanity's love for God ^[2]. For instance, Deuteronomy 6:5 commands, "love the Lord," encompassing the entirety of a person's being—intellect, will, emotions, spirituality, and physical self—as the core of God's covenant with Israel ^[11]. The verb form of ahabah, אֹהֵב (ohev), meaning "loving," also appears, such as in Psalm 37:28 ^[7].

Another significant Hebrew concept related to love is חֶסֶד (chesed), often translated as "faithful love" or "lovingkindness" ^[10]. This term expresses God's gracious treatment and steadfast kindness toward humanity, especially His covenant people, Israel, as highlighted in Psalm 118:1-2 and Deuteronomy 7:9, 12 ^[10].

In the New Testament, the primary Greek word for love is ἀγάπη (agape) ^[1]. This term is used to describe both human love for one another (John 13:35) and for God (1 John 2:5), as well as divine love ^[1]. Agape is a central theme in the New Testament, particularly in the writings of John. For example, 1 John 4:7 states, "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God" ^[5]. The apostle John emphasizes that love originates from God, and those who love demonstrate their divine birth and knowledge of God ^[12].

The New Testament understanding of agape is distinct from other Greek words for love, such as φιλία (philia), which denotes brotherly affection or friendship, and ἔρως (eros), which refers to passionate or romantic love. While agape can encompass goodwill and esteem ^[1], it often carries a deeper, more sacrificial connotation. This is particularly evident in 1 John 4:10, which states, "And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins" ^{[6, 8]}. This verse underscores that divine love is not contingent on human merit but is an active, initiating, and self-giving act from God ^[13].

The distinction between agape and philia is famously illustrated in Jesus' post-resurrection conversation with Peter in John 21:16-17 ^[3]. When Jesus asks Peter, "Lovest thou me?" (using agapas), Peter responds with philo, meaning "I love" ^[3]. This exchange suggests that agape implies a more deliberate choice and judgment, while philia indicates a more affectionate, personal attachment ^[3]. However, in the third question, Jesus uses Peter's word, philo, perhaps accommodating Peter's emotional state or emphasizing the personal nature of their relationship ^[3].

The description of Christian love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 further elaborates on the characteristics of agape. This passage emphasizes a willingness to prioritize the good of others over one's own desires, reflecting a self-sacrificial attitude ^[9]. This type of love is presented as a fruit of the Holy Spirit within believers (Romans 5:5; Galatians 5:22) and is linked to growing in knowledge and understanding, enabling believers to discern what truly matters and live pure lives ^[14].

The concept of love in Scripture is not merely an emotion but an active principle that guides behavior and relationships. It is the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:10) and the ultimate test of one's relationship with God ^[15]. As Adam Clarke notes on 1 John 4:16, "God is love," meaning that God is the very essence and source of love. Therefore, dwelling in love signifies being filled with God, as He is the fountain and sustainer of such love ^[16]. This divine love is the foundation for human love, both for God and for one another.

Sources

STEPBible TBESG “[G0026] G0026 = (G0026) — ἀγάπη, -ης, ἡ [in LXX for אַהֲבָה, which is also rendered by ἀγάπησις and φιλία ;] love, goodwill, esteem. Outside of bibl. and eccl. books, there is no clear instance (with Deiss., LAE, 18:4, 70:2, cf. the same writer in Constr. Quar., ii, 4; and with MM, VGT, see word, cf. Dr. Moulton in Exp. Times, xxvi, 3, 139). In NT, like ἀγαπάω, -ῶ, __1. Of men's love: __(a) to one another, <ref='Jhn.13.35'>Jhn.13:35;</ref> __(b) to God, <ref='1Jn.2.5.'>1Jn.2:5.</ref> __2. Of divine love<”
TFLSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones) “[G0026] ἀγάπη — love (part 1/2): ἀγάπ-η, ἡ, love, [<a href="javascript:void(0)" title=" LXX.Jer.2.2, LXX.Cant.2.7, +others; ἀ. καὶ μῖσος LXX.Eccl.Ec.; uncertain reading in “PBerol.” 9859 (2nd c.BC), 1st c.BC: Philodemus Philosophus “περὶ παρρησίας” p.52">LXX+2nd c.BC+</a>] O; of the love of husband and wife, [<a href="javascript:void(0)" title="Scholia 2nd c.AD: Ptolemaeus Mathematicus “Tetrabiblos” 52. ">Refs 2nd c.AD+</a>] <Level3>__2</Level3> especially love of God for man and of man for God, [<a href="javascript:void(0)" title=" LXX.Wis.3.9, Aristea”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Love — This word seems to require explanation only in the case of its use by our Lord in his interview with "Simon, the son of Jonas," after his resurrection (John 21:16, 17). When our Lord says, "Lovest thou me?" he uses the Greek word agapas; and when Simon answers, he uses the Greek word philo, i.e., "I love." This is the usage in the first and second questions put by our Lord; but in the third our Lord uses Simon's word. The distinction between these two Greek words is thus fitly described by Trench:, "Agapan has more of judgment and deliberate choice; philein ha”
Brown-Driver-Briggs “[BDB H160] ahabah — H160. ahabah אַהֲבָה noun feminine love (= Infinitive of אהב q. v.) — absolute ׳א Prov 10:12 18t.; construct אַהֲבַת Jer 2:2-3t.; suffix אַהֲבָתִי Psa 109:4; 109:5; אַהֲבָֽתְךָ 2Sam 1:26; אַהֲבָתוֺ Isa 63:9; Zeph 3:17; אַהֲבָתָהּ Prov 5:19; אַהֲבָתָם Eccl 9:6 — love, especially Wisdom Literature & late. 1 human (to human object) absolute Eccl 9:1, 6 (both || שִׂנְאָה) so Prov 10:12; 15:17; compare 27:5; see also 17:9; of man toward man Psa 109:4; 109:5; love for one's self (נַפְשׁוֺ) 1Sam 20:17; between man & woman Song 2:4-5, 5:8; 8:6-7, (twice in verse); Prov 5:19 compare a”
MACULA Greek “1 John 4:7 — Greek linguistic analysis (MACULA): Text: Ἀγαπητοί ἀγαπῶμεν ἀλλήλους ὅτι ἡ ἀγάπη ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐστιν καὶ πᾶς ὁ ἀγαπῶν ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ γεγέννηται καὶ γινώσκει τὸν Θεόν Word-by-word: Ἀγαπητοί = "Beloved" [27] A-VPM; ἀγαπῶμεν = "we should love" [25] V-PAS-1P; ἀλλήλους = "one another" [240] C-APM; ὅτι = "because" [3754] CONJ; ἡ = "-" [3588] T-NSF; ἀγάπη = "love" [26] N-NSF; ἐκ = "from" [1537] PREP; τοῦ = "-" [3588] T-GSM; Θεοῦ = "God" [2316] N-GSM; ἐστιν = "is" [1510] V-PAI-3S; καὶ = "and" [2532] CONJ; πᾶς = "everyone" [3956] A-NSM; ὁ = "-" [3588] T-NSM; ἀγαπῶν = "loving" [25] V-PAP-NSM; ἐκ”
I John “I John 4:10 (BSB) — And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
STEPBible TAHOT “Psa.37.28#03=L — Hebrew tagged text (TAHOT): אֹ֘הֵ֤ב ['o.Hev] "[is] loving"”
1 John “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. -- 1 John 4:10”
1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 13:4: 13:4-7 This description of Christian love emphasizes the willingness to give up one’s own desires for the good of others (see also 8:1–10:33; Rom 5:6-8; 15:3; 2 Cor 8:9; Phil 2:4-8).”
1 Kings (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Kings 3:6: 3:6 The Hebrew word translated faithful love (khesed) expresses God’s gracious treatment and loving kindness toward humanity (Ps 118:1-2), especially to his covenant nation Israel (Deut 7:9, 12).”
Deuteronomy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Deuteronomy 6:5: 6:5 love the Lord: See study note on Josh 23:11. • The words heart, . . . soul, and . . . strength represent the intellect, the will, the emotions, the spirituality, and the physical being—all that a person is and can do for God. This commandment is the core of God’s covenant with Israel (see Jesus’ comments in Matt 22:37; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27).”
1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 4:7: Resumption of the main theme (Jo1 2:29). Love, the sum of righteousness, is the test of our being born of God. Love flows from a sense of God's love to us: compare Jo1 4:9 with Jo1 3:16, which Jo1 4:9 resumes; and Jo1 4:13 with Jo1 3:24, which similarly Jo1 4:13 resumes. At the same time, Jo1 4:7-21 is connected with the immediately preceding context, Jo1 4:2 setting forth Christ's incarnation, the great proof of God's love (Jo1 4:10). Beloved--an address appropriate to his subject, "love." love--All love is from God as its fountain: especially that”
1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 4:10: Herein is love--love in the abstract: love, in its highest ideal, is herein. The love was all on God's side, none on ours. not that we loved God--though so altogether worthy of love. he loved us--though so altogether unworthy of love. The Greek aorist expresses, Not that we did any act of love at any time to God, but that He did the act of love to us in sending Christ.”
Philippians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Philippians 1:9: 1:9-10 Love is a fruit of Christ’s Spirit within believers (Rom 5:5; Gal 5:22). • growing in knowledge and understanding: In this way, believers can understand what really matters (see Rom 12:2) and live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return (cp. 1 Thes 3:12-13; 5:23).”
2 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 John 1:6: "Love is the fulfilling of the law" (Rom 13:10), and the fulfilling of the law is the sure test of love. This is the commandment--Greek, "The commandment is this," namely, love, in which all God's other commandments are summed up.”
1 John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 John 4:16: God is love - See on Jo1 4:8 (note). He that dwelleth in love - he who is full of love to God and man is full of God, for God is love; and where such love is, there is God, for he is the fountain and maintainer of it.”

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