Biblical Answer

The Bible's Definition of Love

The Bible provides a comprehensive definition of love, which goes beyond mere sentimentality. According to Scripture, love is without hypocrisy (Rom 12:9; 2 Cor 6:6; 1 Pet 1:22), works no ill for others (Rom 13:10), and is willing to lay down its life for another (Jn 15:13). This is evident in Jesus' teaching on the Great Commandment, where He says that loving God with all one's heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving one's neighbor as oneself, is the greatest commandment (Matt 22:37-40).

The Character of Love

Scripture describes the character of love as being characterized by truth and purity. Love does not embrace that which runs contrary to reality or the law of God. Rather, it is a state of the will that we have naturally about ourselves, and must learn to have about other people. This means that love is not just an emotion, but a responsibility that should be practiced even if those feelings of affection and passion are not present. As Jesus taught, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another" (John 13:34).

God's Love and Our Response

The Bible teaches that God's love is the source of our love for others. As Jesus prayed in John 17:26, "I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them." Our love for God is expressed in moral obedience, and the proof of love is loyalty. As the Bible says, "We love because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19). Our response to God's love is to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. This is the essence of the Christian faith, and the foundation of all true love.