Lesson 6: Love 69
Interpreting the Scriptures
Love that Binds a Community Together (Proverbs 17:17)
17:17. These two clauses may be interpreted as showing a contrast
between a friend and a close relative, implying that “blood is thicker
than water” or suggesting that a loyal friend is better than a brother (cf.
Proverbs 18:24). More likely, the two clauses function in a synonymous
manner; that is, a true friend demonstrates the same type of loyalty and
support as a close family member. The word for “love” used here indi-
cates the combination of tenderly affection paired with a strong focus
of the mind. This love is loyal in adversity, a faithful kind of love that
stands firm even when severely tested, such as the time when Jonathan’s
devotion to David was tested. In this case, Jonathan remained loyal to
David (1 Samuel 20:17) despite the fact that Jonathan’s father, Saul, was
trying to kill David.
God’s Love—the Motivation for Our Love (1 John 4:7–10)
4:7– 8. This treatise on Christian love appropriately begins with a term
of endearment, addressing the readers as “Beloved” (nasb). The author
exhorts his readers to love one another. They must make a conscious
decision to demonstrate unselfish love and be willing to receive love
from others within the Christian community. Such love does not come
naturally to us. Rather, the source of this love is God.
Because love is inseparable from what it means to be a follower of
God, its presence or absence provides a positive or negative indicator
about our relationship with God. Those who love one another with this
godly type of love show that they are children of God and truly know
God. The one who does not love does not know God. He is not only the
source of love, but God is love. Because the essence of God’s character is
love, loving others becomes the mark of true Christianity.
4:9–10. Love is demonstrated through action. God took the initiative
and showed his love for us by sending his “one and only” (monogenēs)
Son to be an offering that pardons us from our sins. The term used to
describe the Son, monogenēs, refers to the unique status of Jesus due