The infamous John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life”. This passage of scripture is quoted frequently which includes at national sporting events. Most Christians can repeat this passage without hesitation knowing its validity in their own lives by the sacrifice of Christ. Christ’s sacrifice on the cross represents the deepest love that God has for the world and more specifically his creation. The following articles will focus on the verb and noun forms of love. As a verb, we will examine the action or state of love. Finally, as a noun, we will identify the definition of love.
The Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (BDAG) possesses three definitions for love. The first definition states, “To have a warm regard for and interest in another, cherish, and have affection for, love”. The BDAG expands this definition by stating, “love someone more than one’s own life”. In relation to the first definition, BDAG identifies corresponding scriptures, Jn 13:34; 15:12, 17. In addition, the first definition consists of three components: (1) “to transcendent recipients of special devotion: to Jesus”, (2) “of the affection of transcendent beings for ordinary human beings”, (3) “for other transcendent beings: God’s love for Jesus.” For the defined components, BDAG cross-references with the following scriptures: (1) Jn 8:42; 14:15, 21, 23f; 21:15f, (2) Jn 13:23; 14:21; 19:26; 21:7, 20, (3) Jn: 3:35; 10:17; 14:31; 17:24, 26. The second definition denotes, “to have high esteem for or satisfaction with something, take pleasure in”. The BDAG cross-references the second definition with Jn 3:19; 17:26. The third definition states, “to practice/express love, prove one’s love”. Jn 13:1, 34 verses correlate to definition three. All three definitions portray Jesus’ love throughout his ministry, but more importantly during his death on the cross. For he loved us more than his own life, he possessed high esteemed for us while taking pleasure in us, and he practiced or expressed his love to us.
The scriptures that describe love as mentioned by BDAG reside in the Gospel of John. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (TDNT) identifies the usage of love in relation to the Johannine literature as a heavenly reality of love. Love descends from the heavenly realms and enters the world through Christ. More specifically, Christ extends the love of God to men of the world. The TDNT insists that the heavenly reality of love is revealed and victorious in moral action. Moreover, this form of love emphasizes the active character in both the life of Christ and in that of Christians. The active character forms a fellowship between the circle of the Father, the Son, and the people of the Son. Therefore, believers of Christ demonstrate actions of love that exist in God and Jesus.
Continue Reading: Love Pt. II
