The Fruit of the Spirit - The Greatest Love

The Fruit of the Spirit - Love - God's Unconditional Love

What does the Bible say about unconditional love? God’s expression of His unconditional love is found throughout the Bible. Although we are commanded to repent our sins and strive towards the way of God, He never stops loving us in our journey to righteousness. The Bible shows us that God’s unconditional love never fails and not motivated by personal gain. Learn more from our list of Bible verses about God’s unconditional love below! 1 JOHN 4:16 [https://www.biblestudytools.com/1-john/4-16.html] 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. [https://www.biblestudytools.com/1-john/4-16.html] 1 JOHN 4:18 [https://www.biblestudytools.com/1-john/4-18.html] 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. [https://www.biblestudytools.com/1-john/4-18.html]

The Fruit of the Spirit - The Greatest Love

The greatest love makes sure that God does everything in such a way as to uphold and magnify his own supremacy so that, when we get to heaven, we have something to increase our joy forever: God’s glory. The greatest love is God’s giving himself to us for our eternal enjoyment, at the cost of his Son’s life (Romans 8:32).

The Fruit of the Spirit - Love: The Comfort of God's Love

In Galatians 5:22-23 [http://www.christianity.com/bible/bible.php?ver=niv&q=ga+5%3a22-23], love is translated from the Greek word ἀγάπη, (agape). Greek has multiple words for love including eros, which is sexual love and philos, which is brotherly love. Agape’ is perfect love that only God can give. “In respect of agapao as used of God, it expresses the deep and constant ‘love’ and interest of a perfect Being towards entirely unworthy objects, producing and fostering a reverential ‘love’ in them towards the Giver, and a practical 'love’ towards those who are partakers of the same, and a desire to help others to seek the Giver,” according to Vine’s Expository Dictionary [https://www.blueletterbible.org/search/Dictionary/viewTopic.cfm?topic=VT0001710]. Love for God and others is the result of receiving God’s perfect agape’ love.  Jesus encouraged his followers: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:9-11 [http://www.christianity.com/bible/bible.php?ver=niv&q=joh+15%3a9-11]).

The Fruit of the Spirit - Love: Examples of God's Love

The Greek word καρπός that we translate “fruit” usually means fruit in the sense of edible fruits and vegetables, but it can also be translated as offspring, deed, action, result, or profit. In an agrarian society, fruit is a good thing; it is the result of hard work and careful tending.  Today we might use the word “fruit” in a phrase such as the “fruit of our labor” to communicate the results of our effort. Even if we don’t harvest strawberries or apples, we can have “fruit,” something to show for our work, in a paycheck, a finished project, or even a baby. Understanding that “fruit” in this verse can mean “deed, action, or result” helps make this verse more personal. The result or the work of the Spirit in a believer’s life is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. the three verses prior, Galatians 5:19-21 [http://www.christianity.com/bible/bible.php?ver=niv&q=ga+5%3a19-21], Paul contrasted the acts of the flesh: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like to the good fruit of the Spirit.

The Fruit of the Spirit - Love

In Galatians 5:22-23 [http://www.christianity.com/bible/bible.php?ver=niv&q=ga+5%3a22-23], love is translated from the Greek word ἀγάπη, (agape). Greek has multiple words for love including eros, which is sexual love and philos, which is brotherly love. Agape’ is perfect love that only God can give. “In respect of agapao as used of God, it expresses the deep and constant ‘love’ and interest of a perfect Being towards entirely unworthy objects, producing and fostering a reverential ‘love’ in them towards the Giver, and a practical 'love’ towards those who are partakers of the same, and a desire to help others to seek the Giver,” according to Vine’s Expository Dictionary [https://www.blueletterbible.org/search/Dictionary/viewTopic.cfm?topic=VT0001710]. Love for God and others is the result of receiving God’s perfect agape’ love.  Jesus encouraged his followers: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:9-11 [http://www.christianity.com/bible/bible.php?ver=niv&q=joh+15%3a9-11]).