Love
Theological Definition
Love in the Bible is committed good-will and action that seeks another’s true good, reflecting God’s own love. Romans presents God’s love as demonstrated in Christ’s death and describes love as the core summary of neighbor-focused commandments. Love is also portrayed as practical and relational, shaping communal life and responses to enemies.
Key Occurrences in Romans
14Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don`t curse.
15Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep.
16Be of the same mind one toward another. Don`t set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Don`t be wise in your own conceits.
17Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men.
18If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men.
19Don`t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God`s wrath. For it is written, "Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord."
20Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head."
21Don`t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
9Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good.
10In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate one to another; in honor preferring one another;
11not lagging in diligence; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12rejoicing in hope; enduring in oppression; continuing steadfastly in prayer;
13contributing to the needs of the saints; given to hospitality.
8Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
9For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not give false testimony," "You shall not covet," and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
10Love doesn`t harm his neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.
15Yet if because of food your brother is grieved, you walk no longer in love. Don`t destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.
5and hope doesn`t disappoint us, because God`s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given to us.
6For while we were yet weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
7For one will hardly die for a righteous man. For perhaps for a righteous person someone would even dare to die.
8But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36Even as it is written, "For your sake we are killed all day long. We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter."
37No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
39nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.