Biblical Answer

The Bible says that God is love (1 John 4:8), and this is the basic difference between the biblical concept of love and our concept of love. The Bible defines love as a responsibility that should be practiced even if feelings of affection and passion are not present. This is seen in the way Scripture speaks about love as a state of the will, not just an emotion. For example, in John 14:15, 21, 23; 15:10, Jesus teaches that love for God is expressed in moral obedience, not just sentimental language or mystical experience.

The Bible teaches that love is without hypocrisy (Rom 12:9; 2 Cor 6:6; 1 Pet 1:22), works no ill for others (Rom 13:10), will lay down its life for another (Jn 15:13), and takes the servant's role (Gal 5:13). It is also seen in the way believers are instructed to walk in a love that reflects the character of God, which is first pure, then peaceable (James 3:17). This kind of love pleads with others, is not easily provoked, and bears all things (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Furthermore, the Bible teaches that love is a responsibility that should be practiced even if those feelings of affection and passion are not present. This is seen in the way believers are exhorted to love in the context of their being called holy (1 Thessalonians 3:12-15).

The Bible also teaches that love is not just a feeling, but a choice that we make. It is a state of the will that we must learn to have about other people. This is seen in the way Jesus teaches that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31). This commandment is rooted in the Old Testament, where it is written, "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Leviticus 19:18). The Bible teaches that love is a choice that we make, and it is a choice that we must make every day. It is not just a feeling that we have, but a commitment that we make to act in love towards others, even if it is difficult or uncomfortable. This is the biblical concept of love, and it is a concept that is different from our modern concept of love.