Faith In First Corinthians, Chapter 13, The Way of Love, Part 2:

Our previous study highlighted and characterized the Greek noun “agape” (G26), (pronounced Uh-GAH-pay) translated “love” 86 times, “charity” 27 times, “dear” once, “charitably” once, and “feast of charity” once in the King James Version (KJV) of the New Testament (NT). The verb form “agapa’o” (G25) occurs 142 times, translated “love” 135 times and “beloved” 7 times and the adjective form “Agapetos” (G27) occurs 62 times translated “beloved” 47 times, “dearly beloved” 9 times, “well beloved” 3 times and “dear” 3 times. Agape describes God’s immeasurable, incomparable love for humankind; it is perfect, unconditional, sacrificial, and pure.

Today we’ll examine more about agape love as well as other Greek words translated love. First, the use of “agape” in the NT demonstrates another distinct difference between the Gospel of the Kingdom and the Gospel of the Grace of God. The Kingdom Gospel was preached by Christ during His earthy ministry, and by the 12 apostles as recorded in the first part of the book of Acts. On the other hand, the Gospel of Grace was a secret before the Lord Jesus Christ revealed it to the Apostle Paul and is the Gospel that has saved believers for the last 2,000 years, 1 Corinthians 15:1 - 41 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

; Romans 16:25 - 2625 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

; Ephesians 3:1 - 71 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

. In the Kingdom Gospel Jesus Christ set a very high bar requirement for love by those who truly believed He was Israel’s Messiah: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love (agapa’o) one another; as I have loved (agapa’o) you, that ye also love (agapa’o) one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love (apape) one to another.” John 13:34 - 3534 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

. This requirement is simply impossible for unregenerate man to attain because there is none righteous, no not one, Romans 3:9 - 189 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;

10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:

14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:

15 Their feet are swift to shed blood:

16 Destruction and misery are in their ways:

17 And the way of peace have they not known:

18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.

; Psalms 14:2 - 32 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.

3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

; Ecclesiastes 7:2020 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

, etc. Therefore, the only way an Israelite could truly, and completely manifest God’s love as required by Christ’s commandment was and will be by The Holy Spirit filling them. It occurred during that short period of time about 2,000 years ago when the Holy Spirit came on the 12 Apostles and the Jewish Disciples in Jerusalem on Pentecost after Christ ascended into heaven, Acts 2:1 - 41 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

; Acts 4:3232 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

. They repented, were baptized and received the Holy Spirit, Acts 2:3838 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

. But it will not happen again until the end of the 7-year tribulation period when The Lord Jesus Christ returns to Israel and fills them with the Holy Spirit, as prophesied: Ezekiel 36:22 - 2822 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.

23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.

24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.

25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.

; Ezekiel 37:1 - 141 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones,

2 And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry.

3 And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest.

4 Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.

5 Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:

6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

7 So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone.

8 And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them.

9 Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.

10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.

11 Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.

12 Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.

13 And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves,

14 And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.

; Ezekiel 37:2828 And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.

; Ezekiel 39:25 - 2925 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name;

26 After that they have borne their shame, and all their trespasses whereby they have trespassed against me, when they dwelt safely in their land, and none made them afraid.

27 When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies' lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations;

28 Then shall they know that I am the LORD their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there.

29 Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.

; Joel 2:28 - 3228 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.

31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the LORD come.

32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

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On the other hand, true believers today, i.e., those who believe the Gospel of Grace revealed to the Apostle Paul, are baptized by the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ, 1 Corinthians 12:12 - 1312 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

. The Holy Spirit indwells believers today, 1 Corinthians 3:1616 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

but believers today are not commanded, but exhorted to “yield to God” and present their bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God,” Romans 6:1313 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

; Romans 12:1 - 21 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

. Believers are instructed to put off the former manner of life and be renewed in the spirit of their mind and put on the new man which God created in righteousness and holiness, Ephesians 4:22 - 2422 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

. Thus, the Holy Spirit does not fill (control) believers today like He did the Jewish believers at Pentecost and He will in Christ’s future Kingdom in earth.

Today, “the love (agape) of God is shed abroad in our (Members of Christ’s Body) hearts by the Holy Spirit, which is given to us,” Romans 5:55 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

b. One of the fruits of the Spirit is love: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,” Galatians 5:2222 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

. The Greek word translated “fruit” means literally “fruit, i.e., that which originates or comes from something, an effect, result.” So, one of the effects or results when the believer allows the indwelling Holy Spirit to work in their life is “love.” Unfortunately, many are like the carnal Corinthians so their flesh dominates their actions and some never grow up Spiritually. Paul explains that believers don’t always do what they should because of the sin that continues to indwell, Romans 7:15 - 2415 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

, even as they have the Holy Spirit within. That is, the law of sin in a believer’s members is constantly in conflict with the Holy Spirit. But thank God, He provided for this internal battle: “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” Romans 7:24 - 2524 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

. And “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, (“who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” is not in the original manuscripts). For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1 - 21 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

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Paul teaches a great deal about the Love of God toward Members of Christ’s Body. We are exhorted to love one another because love fulfills the law: “For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love (agapao, the verb) thy neighbor as thyself. Love (agape, the noun) worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love (agape) is the fulfilling of the law, Romans 13:9 - 109 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

. “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love (agape) serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love (agapao) thy neighbor as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:13 - 1613 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

. Notice these are exhortations and not commandments, as in the Kingdom Gospel.

There are 3 other Greek words that express different aspects of love; “philos, storge & eros.” “Eros,” pronounced “AIR-ohs,” refers to romantic or sexual love and is not found in the NT; we get our English word “erotic” from it. On the other hand, there are different inflections of the Greek “philos” (G5384), a noun that occurs 29 times in the NT and is always translated “friend” or “friends,” defined as a “friend, to be friendly to one, wish him well, etc.” It is not found in the Pauline epistles. “Philia,” (G5368) is the verb form and is found 25 times in the NT, translated “love” 22 times and “kiss” 3 times. The first time it is used in the NT is in Matthew 6:5 - 65 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

in the introduction to what is commonly called “The Lord’s Prayer” where Jesus instructed His disciples not to be like the hypocrites who “love” (philia) to pray standing in the Synagogues and in the streets so they will be seen of men but to pray in the closet, etc. It is found only twice in the Pauline epistles, interestingly in 1 Corinthians 16:2222 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.

we read “If any man love (philia) not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha,” which is different than the commandment Christ gave His disciples to love (agapa’o) one another in John 13:34 - 35 as noted above. It is also found in Titus 3:1515 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

: “All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love (philia) us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.”

There are also many inflections or compound words from “philia” in the NT, e.g., “philagathos,” (G5358) translated “lover of good men” in Titus 1:88 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

; “Philadelpheia” (G5359) translated “Philadelphia” occurring twice in the first chapter of Revelation; “Philadelphia” (5360) found 6 times in the NT, translated “brotherly love, brotherly kindness and love of the brethren;” “philadephos” (G5361) translated “love as brethren” in 1 Peter 3:88 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

; “philandros” (G5362) translated “love their husbands” in Titus 2:44 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

; “philanthropia” (G5363) translated “kindness” in Acts 28:22 And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

and “love toward men” in Titus3:4; “philanthropos” (G5364) translated “courteously” in Acts 27:33 And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.

; “philarguria” (G5365) translated “love of money” in 1 Timothy 6:1010 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

as well as about 21 more, but you get the idea.

Then there is the Greek word “Storge,” pronounced “STOR-jay,” which is family love, the affectionate bond that develops between parents and children, and brothers and sisters. In Romans 12:1010 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

it is found as part of a compound word “philostorgos:” “Let love (agape) be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned (philostorgos) one to another with brotherly love (Philadelphia); in honor preferring one another;” Romans 12:9 - 109 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

. Believers should “be devoted” to one another with brotherly affection, an interesting concept indeed.

“If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love (agape), if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love (agape), being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:” Philippians 2:1 - 71 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

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