Why is it the greatest? If it is the greatest, how do we do it?
First commandment
Preteen camp theme
Loving God and neighbor,
CE Version
Mat 22:34 After Jesus had made the Sadducees look foolish, the Pharisees heard about it and got together.
Mat 22:35 One of them was an expert in the Jewish Law. So he tried to test Jesus by asking,
Mat 22:36 "Teacher, what is the most important commandment in the Law?"
Lot's of laws in the scriptures - some accounts say 600. Jesus does not hesitate.
EMT Version
Mat 22:34 But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together.
Mat 22:35 Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying,
Mat 22:36 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?"
Mat 22:37 Jesus said to him, " 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.'
Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39 And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'
Mat 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."
Greek word for love is agapeo.
Greek Word Study of ἀγαπάω (agape, agapeo, love)
7 Votes
This word means simply, love, but can and does have a wider range of meaning. It can mean to “have a warm regard for and interest in another,” “cherish,” “have affection for.”[1] The meaning, “to be grateful”[2] is suggested in Luke 7:47, when Jesus asks, who will lovemore, someone who was forgiven much, or forgiven little.The word can also mean, “to love based on its regarded value” (John 12:43).[3] This love can be between human beings (such as in Matt. 5:43; Eph. 5:25, 28, 33; Rom. 13:8), or directed from humans to transcendent beings (such as in John 8:42; 1 Pet. 1:8). This love can also be between transcendent beings and humans (Rom. 8:37; 9:13; 2 Thess. 2:16) or between persons of the Godhead (John 3:35; 10:17; 17:26).[4] In the New Testament, “Jesus stands plainly and consciously in the moral tradition of His people. But He demands love with an exclusiveness….love is a matter of will and action….He demands decision and readiness for God and for God alone in an unconditional manner which startles His hearers.”[5]Jesus brought a new meaning to the word, new terms as it were, for while before it was heard that you love your friends and hate your enemies, he called men to love their enemies (Matt. 5:43-44). In the context of this passage, it is clear Jesus felt a strong affection for Lazarus and his sisters (John 11:5), they had a special place in his heart, but in the end, it is very hard to separate Jesus’ love for these, and his love for all who are his (John 13:1). For his love was proved to be true in his death, through which salvation came to all who believe. There is no greater love than that, and there is nothing greater that Jesus could do for anyone than give them opportunity to believe, and this passage shows that love (John 11:15, 25, 26, 42).
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Used in a negative way-
Greek -
2Ti 4:10 For Demas has forsaken me, having loved (agapeo) this present world, and traveled to Thessalonica--Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
Joh 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved (agapeo) the darkness more than the light, because their works were evil.
Quoted old testament from Hebrew
What was the meaning at that time
Ahab
Deu 6:5 So love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul, and strength.
Two Hebrew words for love
Filed under: Uncategorized — Vitali at 6:56 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2007
While preparing for a bible study on Hosea 6-7 I found it difficult to interpret the word”mercy” in Hosea 6:6
: “I desire mercy not sacrifice” (NIV). The same word is translated “steadfast love” in ESV, “loyalty” in NASB, “goodness” in ASV, “faithfulness” (NET). So, which is it?
The Hebrew has two main words for love, “ahab” and “hesed”. Love in ahab sense is the closest to the English meaning and is usually refer to the love between people (husband and wide, parent and child, friends) or of people toward God. More rarely, it may also refer to the love of God toward people. Hesed is best translated as kindness but not in the modern English sense. It assumes a hierarchy, where the one at the higher position is giving the hesed. Hence, the word is very often used in the sense of God’s love or kindness toward people and people’s mercy or kindness toward others. It is never used to mean love of people toward God.
This last statement is very important for interpreting Hosea. For example, when looking at Hosea 4:1
“There is no faithfulness, no love (hesed), no acknowledgment of God in the land.”, a first impression one gets is that love here refers to people’s love for God. Yet this is impossible since the word “hesed” is used. Similarly, in Hosea 6:4
, “Your love (hesed) is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears.” the mentioned love is not of people toward God but kindness and mercy of people toward each other.
I was delighted to see that Anchor Bible Dictionary, one of the best scholarly bible dictionaries in existence today, confirmed my observations (made purely on the basis of using a concordance). However, they provide a few additional insights by pointing out that Hosea might have intentionally played on the potential double meaning of hesed. To show love, mercy and kindness to others is one of the primary way we can show our love for God. It is as if God says to the Israelites in Hosea 4:1
u don’t love me because you do not show love and kindness toward other people.
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1Sa 20:17 Jonathan thought as much of David as he did of himself, so he asked David to promise once more that he would be a loyal friend.
1Ki 5:1 King Hiram of Tyre had always been friends with Solomon's father David. When Hiram learned that Solomon was king, he sent some of his officials to meet with Solomon.
Joh 15:12 Now I tell you to love each other, as I have loved you.
Joh 15:13 The greatest way to show love for friends is to die for them.
Joh 15:14 And you are my friends, if you obey me.
Joh 15:15 Servants don't know what their master is doing, and so I don't speak to you as my servants. I speak to you as my friends, and I have told you everything that my Father has told me.
There comes a time when there is a change in a relationship.
1Jn 3:16 We know what love is because Jesus gave his life for us. That's why we must give our lives for each other.
Joh 15:14 And you are my friends, if you obey me.
Joh 15:10 If you obey me, I will keep loving you, just as my Father keeps loving me, because I have obeyed him.
1Jn 5:3 We show our love for God by obeying his commandments, and they are not hard to follow.
Rom 5:8 But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful. Deu 6:5 So love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul, and strength.
Hos 11:3 Yet I was the one who taught Israel to walk. I took my people up in my arms, but they did not acknowledge that I took care of them.
Hos 11:4 I drew them to me with affection and love. I picked them up and held them to my cheek; I bent down to them and fed them.
Hos 11:5 "They refuse to return to me, and so they must return to Egypt, and Assyria will rule them.
Old testament models
Abraham was the friend of God
Isa 41:8 But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham, My friend;
Close intimate friend
Exo 33:11 And Jehovah would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he turned again to the camp. But his servant, Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not leave the middle of the tabernacle.
Deu 34:10 But since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,
Deu 34:11 in all the signs and wonders which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt, before Pharaoh, before all his servants, and in all his land,
Deu 34:12 and by all that mighty power and all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.
Eph 5:32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
God's primary desire is for His people to Love him.
Joh 14:15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments.
Obedience does not lead to love, but love does lead to obedience.
1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
AHAB love is always express by obedience. We are not perfect, but we take steps because we love Him.
We can love God without seeing Him face to face. Sometimes it is hard, but we can do it.
Act 13:21 And afterward they asked for a king; so God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
Act 13:22 And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, 'I HAVE FOUND DAVID THE SON OF JESSE, A MAN AFTER MY OWN HEART, WHO WILL DO ALL MY WILL.'
How do we go about loving God in this way?
Mat 22:37 Jesus said to him, 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.'
Christ stacks word upon word upon word. He is trying to make it clear to love God with everything that we are.
Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
Bible Study:
2nd of the two great commandments-
7 principles
1Jn 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
1Jn 4:8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
1Jn 4:20 If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?
What is it that causes the most difficulties in life? Relationships
Luk 10:25 And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"
Luk 10:26 He said to him, "What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?"
Luk 10:27 So he answered and said, "'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND,' and 'YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'"
Luk 10:28 And He said to him, "You have answered rightly; do this and you will live."
Luk 10:29 But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
Luk 10:30 Then Jesus answered and said: "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
Luk 10:31 Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
Luk 10:32 Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.
Luk 10:33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion.
Luk 10:34 So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
Luk 10:35 On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.'
Luk 10:36 So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?"
Luk 10:37 And he said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
Not who is my neighbor, but am I being a neighbor?
How do we interact with people?
Where do we go to learn to get along with others? God's word.
Psa 34:11 Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
Psa 34:12 Who is the man who desires life, And loves many days, that he may see good?
Psa 34:13 Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit.
Psa 34:14 Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.
The Church of God should be a University of Peace. God's laws target good relationships.
Rom 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
Rom 12:18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
Rom 12:19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord.
Rom 12:20 Therefore "IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM; IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP COALS OF FIRE ON HIS HEAD."
Rom 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Humility-1Pe 5:5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "GOD RESISTS THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE."
Pro 13:10 By pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well-advised is wisdom.
Encourage and uplift people-Pro 12:18 There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health.
Pro 12:19 The truthful lip shall be established forever, But a lying tongue is but for a moment.
Pro 12:20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy.
Love your family and don't neglect them-Eph 5:28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.
Pro 14:1 The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish pulls it down with her hands.
Maintain friendships-Pro 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.
Pro 18:24 A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Pro 27:10 Do not forsake your own friend or your father's friend, Nor go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity; Better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.
Maintain good relationships with your boss-there is an attitude out in the world that we don't like authority
1Ti 6:1 Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed.
1Ti 6:2 And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.
Tit 2:9 Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back,
Tit 2:10 not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.
Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
Tit 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
Tit 2:14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
Tit 2:15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
Necessity for team work-God and Christ are building a place for us to dwell
Pro 18:1 A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.
Want to be gracious-
Luk 4:16 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.
Luk 4:17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:
Luk 4:18 "THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE HAS ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR; HE HAS SENT ME TO HEAL THE BROKENHEARTED, TO PROCLAIM LIBERTY TO THE CAPTIVES AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET AT LIBERTY THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED;
Luk 4:19 TO PROCLAIM THE ACCEPTABLE YEAR OF THE LORD."
Luk 4:20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him.
Luk 4:21 And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
Luk 4:22 So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, "Is this not Joseph's son?"
Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
Eph 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
Eph 4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Pro 22:11 He who loves purity of heart And has grace on his lips, The king will be his friend.
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