In Matthew 22:34-40, Jesus says the greatest commandments are loving God and loving people. What is love and is this all there is to it? Join me in exploring this word study on “love” using The Bible Project as a resource.

[0:00] Intro

[3:00] The Bible Project word study on “love”

[7:28] Practical application of “love” in our lives

[15:00] Final thoughts

Bible Verses:

Matthew 22:34-40

1 John 4:9-11

Proclaim Ministries Advent series

The Bible Project

The Bible Project Advent series

The Pharisees and Sadducees often tried to trap Jesus with questions, but Jesus always silenced them. One day, Jesus was asked by a lawyer what the greatest commandment in the law was, to which He responded, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind, and the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (From Matthew 22:34-40)

Can the Christian faith be summarized by these two commandments: loving God and loving people?

Defining Love

From the Bible Project Advent series

The English word “love” is not very clear. You can say you “love” pizza and you can say you “love” people, but those two uses of the word “love” do not mean the same thing. You probably don’t love pizza as much as you love your mom.

The Hebrew word for love is ahavah and the Aramaic word for love is rakhmah. But as Christianity spread, Jesus’ teachings were translated to Greek. The Greek word for love is agape. Jesus' followers redefined love based on His teachings and actions, emphasizing love as an action rather than a feeling.

Showing love to others is a reflection of God's love. It is exemplified in helping and serving others, especially those who can’t repay you. It also includes loving your enemies.

The ultimate standard of love is demonstrated by Jesus' life and sacrifice. Jesus' death on the cross is the ultimate act of sacrificial love and it demonstrates God's love for the world.

“God demonstrated His own agape for us in this, while we were still sinners, the Messiah died for us.” - Romans 5:8

Reflecting on Love and Its Practical Application

The kind of love emphasized in the Bible is agape love. Agape love is self-sacrificial in nature and it starts with Jesus' sacrifice.

Loving God involves more than just attending church; it means having affection for God and honoring Him with your life. When you love someone you seek to know them better and draw closer to them.

Loving people is treating them as Jesus did, which goes beyond the Golden Rule. It’s about loving others unconditionally, even those who are difficult to love.

Love is central to the Christian faith and should be demonstrated in everyday actions. Live your life in a way that reflects God's love to others, and be honest and accountable in your relationships.