The Mystery of Agape Love

What does love mean to you? What does it mean to God? Since "God is love," He has defined love and given us a resource to discern His definition. If we are interested in understanding God's definition of love, the only comprehensive method is to read His only written communication with us: the Holy Bible. We will examine each verse using love, or a word that has been translated as love, to determine its meaning, through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Only then will we be certain that we understand the depth and breadth of godly love.This book lists each one verse in context and categorizes verses by intent: "Love within the Trinity," "Love from the Trinity," "Love of the Trinity," "Love of a Spouse," "Parental Love," "Brotherly Love," "Love of Others," "Self-Love," and "Love of the World." The meaning and intent are discussed contextually to see how God uses this word love through His entire Word, and what that means in regard to our ability to love Him, love others, and love ourselves.The Old Testament uses eighteen different Hebrew words for love, some of which are synonyms and some of which have radically different meanings. Likewise, the New Testament has eighteen Greek words translated as love. As in the entire Bible, God is precise in His selection of words, and a mistranslation in Bible translations or commentaries of one of the most important words in the Bible can cause confusion. The purpose of this book is to discuss these words that are translated as love in English and to provide tools to the reader to prevent that confusion.When we make this critical effort to understand God's meaning of love, we-as Christians-can truly love the world as God created it and loved it (John 3:16), without loving a world system that is opposed to God (1 John 2:15-17). And when we begin to love with true godly love, the world will change, and we will finally see God's will being done on earth as it is in Heaven.