But God proves his love for us....
But God proves his love for us....
...in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8, NRSV). The present tense is interesting - still today, now, God is proving God's love for sinners is valid for you and for me! (That is, as long as we see ourselves under that label of flawed humanity.) Of course, it is true to say that Jesus died only for sinners. Not one of us needs to be left out.
The sentence comes from Paul the Apostle, that widely travelling first century representative of Jesus. Paul is certain of God's proof of love. What kind of love is this? What of the originator of the New Testament (NT) message? What did he say? (Note: I might not be convinced by a mathematical proof, but what image to use for proof..?)
"Love" is indeed a frequent Bible word, especially I think, in the NT. In fact two different "love" words are used in the NT, one originally more associated with feeling, though the words are not rigidly distinguished in use (eg, see John 21:15-17 below).
We may indeed have seen a young couple in love and felt uplifted by their “glow” at their wedding, and even by Bishop Michael Curry’s address. (I hope the couple enjoyed the time! For sure wish them well.) Marriage may arise out of love. That "love", however, is not the core of Jesus' use of “love”, nor of the NT. (See earlier post for Jesus on marriage.) In fact I would say the “love” typified by the happy Duchess-to-be and the royal is precious, but the Bible has a different emphasis. Compare these passages from Jesus:
I say, love your enemies! In the run of the text of the Gospels as we traditionally organise them, this is the first example of the use of the “agape” verb. What Jesus says is crystal clear: “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’[a] and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies![b] (Matthew 5:44, NLT). Those who are heeding Jesus will be acting as children bearing the family traits - of God! Despite your efforts, you may have an enemy or enemies. What do you do about them? Love and pray for them; do good regardless; show kindness. Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven, reflecting the authentic family likeness.
It is evident that there is love which can be commanded - and it is, of us - by Jesus. It is striking that the exact same expression occurs in both writers amidst the variation. This love is not for “falling into” but for doing. Here occurs the “agape” verb in the imperative. It doubtless involves feeling, but is not feeling. In fact it may involve negating feeling!
Jesus expected to be heeded. Jesus expects to be heeded. "I say, love your enemies". Jesus did not and does not force the point.
(The viewpoint Jesus [above] flatly rejected may have then been invalidly supported from Leviticus 19:18. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord [ESV]. The Leviticus text however, seeks to exclude revenge and grudge and replace them by - loving! The Greek OT text, the LXX, has the "agape" verb. Incidentally - note the ‘hate’ addition to the "Law" they heard, which must have been commonly said - I wonder who invented it? God’s word may be, and has been, twisted to human liking. )
Luke (6) has Jesus spelling out in even more challenging detail the way of living that has God-like quality (and I have left some out of the table above; see below for Luke in full). Jesus’ way is so unlike the old-fashioned words they apparently knew. Those hate words do seem instinctive in all ages. The behaviour leads to violence and cruelty. I recently saw some pictures (RSPCA) of unspeakable animal cruelty in Australia. Our reports of conflict and even domestic violence are replete with senseless cruelty. To hate seems easy; to do good is divine.
In Luke 16 there is a (hard to interpret) dishonest manager parable from Jesus. That parable is followed by this application statement and "response": No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”[e] The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all this, and they ridiculed him (Luke 16: 13-14, NRSV). Here the slave’s love of the master (lord) is portrayed under the “agape” word; the pharisees' love of money is described under “fileo”. They are quite keen on their money! The "other" that the slave loves is shown ungrudging and willing obedience.
In the closing lines of John we have the “agape” verb used as well as that less frequent “fileo” verb, which seems particularly appropriate to personal affection, or close friendship, or giving a kiss. The same question from Jesus was asked and Peter answered (with “fileo”) three times .
Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus had asked him three times if he loved him. So he told Jesus, “Lord, you know everything. You know I love you.” Jesus replied, “Feed my sheep (John 21:17, CEV). Few translators of John 21 give weight to the apparent change of Jesus’ word in the third asking (to “fileo” also), but rather see the problem for Peter lay in the question coming a third time. In similar words it is recorded by Matthew, Mark, Luke, as well as John, that Jesus had predicted (13:38) three denials of him by Peter in the hour of danger (see John 18:17, 25, 27).
As to the usage of the word “fileo”: It is used of Jesus’ love for his fatally ill friend Lazarus: So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick” (John 11:3, NIV). The word is also used of the scribal pleasure at being recognised: “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts (Luke 20:46, ESV). These preening men - all males I think - were the religious teachers of the day. As with us, many kinds of use may be made of that word, "love".
Jesus gave warnings about the end days. In Matthew alone we find this passage: “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold (Matthew 24:9-12, NIV). So, in grievous circumstances, the “many” who claimed “love” will have that love become cold! (The noun there is the “agape” word.) Understandable the cooling and separating effect of the grim times.
I suppose it is fair to say or imagine that Jesus' words lived out would reflect Dr Martin Luther King's concept. Just the same, Jesus' words are addressed to real people now, to you and to me, not to an imagined abstract "nation", or "community" or even, "we". "Love", he said. It is for you and for me to implement, whatever the dreaming and hoping. God shows his love to you (and to me) - see what God did. In turn, the love is to be shown in undeserved generous action.
* From Luke that comparable and challenging record in full: “But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If anyone hits you on the cheek, offer the other also. And if anyone takes away your coat, don’t hold back your shirt either. Give to everyone who asks you, and from one who takes your things, don’t ask for them back. Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. If you do what is good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do what is good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is gracious to the ungrateful and evil. Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful (Luke 6: 27-36, HCSB).
Scripture quotations marked (CEV) are from the Contemporary English Version Copyright © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (HCSB) are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission.
All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (NRSV) are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
...in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8, NRSV). The present tense is interesting - still today, now, God is proving God's love for sinners is valid for you and for me! (That is, as long as we see ourselves under that label of flawed humanity.) Of course, it is true to say that Jesus died only for sinners. Not one of us needs to be left out.
The sentence comes from Paul the Apostle, that widely travelling first century representative of Jesus. Paul is certain of God's proof of love. What kind of love is this? What of the originator of the New Testament (NT) message? What did he say? (Note: I might not be convinced by a mathematical proof, but what image to use for proof..?)
"Love" is indeed a frequent Bible word, especially I think, in the NT. In fact two different "love" words are used in the NT, one originally more associated with feeling, though the words are not rigidly distinguished in use (eg, see John 21:15-17 below).
We may indeed have seen a young couple in love and felt uplifted by their “glow” at their wedding, and even by Bishop Michael Curry’s address. (I hope the couple enjoyed the time! For sure wish them well.) Marriage may arise out of love. That "love", however, is not the core of Jesus' use of “love”, nor of the NT. (See earlier post for Jesus on marriage.) In fact I would say the “love” typified by the happy Duchess-to-be and the royal is precious, but the Bible has a different emphasis. Compare these passages from Jesus:
Matthew 5
|
selected From Luke 6
|
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’[a]
and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies![b] Pray for those who
persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your
Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good,
and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those
who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do
that much. If you are kind only to your friends,[c] how are you different
from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as
your Father in heaven is perfect (Matthew 5: 43-48, NLT)
|
“But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do what
is good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who
mistreat you….
If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. If you do what is good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do what is good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is gracious to the ungrateful and evil. Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. (Luke 6:27-28, 32-36, HCSB). *see below |
I say, love your enemies! In the run of the text of the Gospels as we traditionally organise them, this is the first example of the use of the “agape” verb. What Jesus says is crystal clear: “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’[a] and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies![b] (Matthew 5:44, NLT). Those who are heeding Jesus will be acting as children bearing the family traits - of God! Despite your efforts, you may have an enemy or enemies. What do you do about them? Love and pray for them; do good regardless; show kindness. Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven, reflecting the authentic family likeness.
It is evident that there is love which can be commanded - and it is, of us - by Jesus. It is striking that the exact same expression occurs in both writers amidst the variation. This love is not for “falling into” but for doing. Here occurs the “agape” verb in the imperative. It doubtless involves feeling, but is not feeling. In fact it may involve negating feeling!
Jesus expected to be heeded. Jesus expects to be heeded. "I say, love your enemies". Jesus did not and does not force the point.
(The viewpoint Jesus [above] flatly rejected may have then been invalidly supported from Leviticus 19:18. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord [ESV]. The Leviticus text however, seeks to exclude revenge and grudge and replace them by - loving! The Greek OT text, the LXX, has the "agape" verb. Incidentally - note the ‘hate’ addition to the "Law" they heard, which must have been commonly said - I wonder who invented it? God’s word may be, and has been, twisted to human liking. )
Luke (6) has Jesus spelling out in even more challenging detail the way of living that has God-like quality (and I have left some out of the table above; see below for Luke in full). Jesus’ way is so unlike the old-fashioned words they apparently knew. Those hate words do seem instinctive in all ages. The behaviour leads to violence and cruelty. I recently saw some pictures (RSPCA) of unspeakable animal cruelty in Australia. Our reports of conflict and even domestic violence are replete with senseless cruelty. To hate seems easy; to do good is divine.
In Luke 16 there is a (hard to interpret) dishonest manager parable from Jesus. That parable is followed by this application statement and "response": No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”[e] The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all this, and they ridiculed him (Luke 16: 13-14, NRSV). Here the slave’s love of the master (lord) is portrayed under the “agape” word; the pharisees' love of money is described under “fileo”. They are quite keen on their money! The "other" that the slave loves is shown ungrudging and willing obedience.
In the closing lines of John we have the “agape” verb used as well as that less frequent “fileo” verb, which seems particularly appropriate to personal affection, or close friendship, or giving a kiss. The same question from Jesus was asked and Peter answered (with “fileo”) three times .
Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus had asked him three times if he loved him. So he told Jesus, “Lord, you know everything. You know I love you.” Jesus replied, “Feed my sheep (John 21:17, CEV). Few translators of John 21 give weight to the apparent change of Jesus’ word in the third asking (to “fileo” also), but rather see the problem for Peter lay in the question coming a third time. In similar words it is recorded by Matthew, Mark, Luke, as well as John, that Jesus had predicted (13:38) three denials of him by Peter in the hour of danger (see John 18:17, 25, 27).
As to the usage of the word “fileo”: It is used of Jesus’ love for his fatally ill friend Lazarus: So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick” (John 11:3, NIV). The word is also used of the scribal pleasure at being recognised: “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts (Luke 20:46, ESV). These preening men - all males I think - were the religious teachers of the day. As with us, many kinds of use may be made of that word, "love".
Jesus gave warnings about the end days. In Matthew alone we find this passage: “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold (Matthew 24:9-12, NIV). So, in grievous circumstances, the “many” who claimed “love” will have that love become cold! (The noun there is the “agape” word.) Understandable the cooling and separating effect of the grim times.
I suppose it is fair to say or imagine that Jesus' words lived out would reflect Dr Martin Luther King's concept. Just the same, Jesus' words are addressed to real people now, to you and to me, not to an imagined abstract "nation", or "community" or even, "we". "Love", he said. It is for you and for me to implement, whatever the dreaming and hoping. God shows his love to you (and to me) - see what God did. In turn, the love is to be shown in undeserved generous action.
* From Luke that comparable and challenging record in full: “But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If anyone hits you on the cheek, offer the other also. And if anyone takes away your coat, don’t hold back your shirt either. Give to everyone who asks you, and from one who takes your things, don’t ask for them back. Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. If you do what is good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do what is good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is gracious to the ungrateful and evil. Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful (Luke 6: 27-36, HCSB).
Scripture quotations marked (CEV) are from the Contemporary English Version Copyright © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (HCSB) are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission.
All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (NRSV) are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
- Note: I retain in the publishers' text where they occur the references to footnotes, but usually not the notes. You can check them out by viewing the text on-line. Often they are replicated in different translations.
- Bible passages accessed via BibleGateway.com
- Image sourced from Pixabay.com
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