Love

A Fruit of the Spirit: Love

• Several Greek words are translated love
  • Thelo: desire (I love potato chips)
  • Philadelphia: love of the brethren
  • Philadelphos: love as brethren
  • Philandros: love husbands
  • Philanthopia: love humans
  • Philarguria: love of money
  • Philagathos: love good men
  • Phileo: brotherly love (like)
  • Philoteknos: love of children
  • Agapao: love selflessly
  • Agape: selfless love
• A fruit of the Spirit is agape: doing what is best for the other person regardless of the effect on me.
• Contrast of loves in John 21:15 – 17
  • 15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you agape Me more than these?”  He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I phileo”  He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
  • 16 He said to him again, a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you agape Me?”  He said to Him, “Yes, Lord,; You know that I phileo You?”  He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
  • 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, so on John, do you phileo Me?”  Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you phileo Me?”  And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I phileo”  Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.”
• How do we get the ability to agape? It is a gift from God, a product of the experiences of faith, taught by God, and learned through diligent application.
  • Romans 5:5 …the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us
  • Galatians 5:6 …faith working through love (Ephesians 6:23)
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:9 …you are taught by God to love one another.
  • 2 Peter 1:5 – 8 …giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue…knowledge…self-control…perseverance…godliness…brotherly kindness…love.
• What are the characteristics of the agape we have?
  • Love God (Romans 8:28, 1 Corinthians 2:9, 8:3, 16:22, 2 Corinthians 13:14, 1 John 4:10, 5:2)
  • Without hypocrisy, sincere (Romans 12:9, 2 Corinthians 6:6, 8:8, 1 Peter 1:22)
  • Love one another (Romans 13:8 – 10, Galatians 5:14, Ephesians 1:15, Colossians 1:4, 1 Thessalonians 3:12, 4:9, James 2:8, 1 Peter 2:17, 1 John 3:11, 3:14, 3:23, 4:7, 4:11, 4:12, 4:21, 5:2, 2 John 5)
  • Re-affirmed (2 Corinthians 2:8)
  • Generous in sharing (2 Corinthians 8:24)
  • Serve on another (Galatians 5:13)
  • Understanding (Ephesians 3:17 – 19, Philippians 1:9, 1 John 4:7)
  • Bearing with one another (Ephesians 4:2)
  • Truthful (Ephesians 4:15)
  • Building up one another (Ephesians 4:16)
  • A way of life (a walk) (Ephesians 5:2, 2 John 6)
  • Giving up self (Ephesians 5:25 – 33)
  • Increasing (Philippians 1:9, 2 Peter 1:8)
  • Brings comfort (Philippians 2:1)
  • Brings unity (Colossians 2:2)
  • Results in labor (1 Thessalonians 1:3, Hebrews 6:10. 1 John 3:18)
  • Have loved His appearing (2 Timothy 4:8)
  • Consistent (1 John 2:5, 4:12, 4:17)
  • Without fear (1 John 4:18)
• Can church-goers fail to obtain this agape?
  • 1 John 2:15 …If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
  • 1 John 3:17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees a brother in need, and shuts his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
  • 2 Thessalonians 2:10 …they did not receive the love of the truth that they might be saved.