The term "much-loved" in the context of the Bible often refers to individuals who are deeply cherished by God or by others. This concept is woven throughout the Scriptures, highlighting the profound affection and favor bestowed upon certain individuals due to their faithfulness, righteousness, or unique role in God's plan.

Divine Love and Favor

The Bible frequently speaks of God's love for His people, emphasizing that His affection is not based on human merit but on His sovereign choice and grace. In Deuteronomy 7:7-8 , God expresses His love for Israel, stating, "The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath He swore to your fathers."

Beloved Individuals in Scripture

1. David: King David is often described as a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). His psalms frequently reflect a deep, personal relationship with God, characterized by love and devotion. Despite his failings, David's sincere repentance and faithfulness made him much-loved by God.

2. Daniel: In the Book of Daniel, the prophet is referred to as "greatly beloved" or "much-loved" by God. Daniel 9:23 records the angel Gabriel's words to Daniel: "At the beginning of your petitions, an answer went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed." Daniel's unwavering faith and integrity in the face of adversity earned him this divine affection.

3. John the Apostle: Known as "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (John 13:23), John had a special relationship with Jesus. His writings, particularly the Gospel of John and the epistles, emphasize love as a central theme, reflecting his understanding of being much-loved by Christ.

The Love of Christ

The New Testament reveals the depth of Christ's love for humanity, a love that is sacrificial and redemptive. In John 15:13 , Jesus declares, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." This ultimate act of love is the foundation of the Christian faith, demonstrating that all believers are much-loved by God through Christ's atoning sacrifice.

Believers as Much-loved

The Apostle Paul frequently addresses believers as beloved in his epistles, underscoring their status as cherished members of God's family. In Romans 1:7 , Paul writes, "To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." This designation as much-loved is a reminder of the intimate relationship between God and His people, marked by grace, mercy, and eternal love.

Conclusion

The concept of being much-loved in the Bible is a profound testament to the relational nature of God and His desire for a deep, abiding connection with His creation. Whether through His covenant with Israel, His special affection for certain individuals, or the sacrificial love of Christ, the Scriptures consistently affirm that God's love is enduring, transformative, and available to all who seek Him.

Letter cxvi. (Enclosed in the Foregoing Letter. )
... (Enclosed in the Foregoing Letter.) To Generosus, My Noble and Justly Distinguished
Lord, My Honoured and Much-Loved Son, Augustin Sends Greeting in the Lord. ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cxvi enclosed in the.htm

That the Union of Our Will with the Good-Pleasure of God Takes ...
... He ponders, Theotimus, that it was from the hand of God that he had received the
good, testifying that he had not so much loved goods because they were good ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter ii that the union.htm

Introduction
... Much more might be written concerning this faithful brother in the Lord, and pattern
in the church of Christ; who was a man I very much loved for his labour in ...
/.../introduction.htm

Playing on the Harp Before Saul.
... His own name means "beloved." What a happy name! He must have been much
loved by his parents, and we know he was loved by God. Like ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/playing on the harp before.htm

S. Mary Magdalene
... Why lies this hair despis??d now. Which once thy care and art did show? Who then
did dress the much-loved toy,. In spires, globes, angry [141] curls and coy,. ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/cxxix s mary magdalene.htm

Letter ix. --Death of Self-Love.
... of trial, it will please God to make you understand it, is that never have you loved
God so purely as now, and that never have you been so much loved by Him. ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/letter ix death of self-love.htm

Cyrus.
... Cyrus died about seven years after Daniel, much loved by his people, who, for many
years, would not believe him dead, but trusted he would yet return to rule ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xii cyrus.htm

The Immutability of Christ
... accounted of? Many of you came to this hall with a numerous family, leaning
upon the arm of a choice and much loved friend. Alas! for ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the immutability of christ.htm

Forgiveness and Love.
... her Head? Well, once more, then, let us forgive much, that from this cause
we may be able to love much and to be much loved! Let ...
/.../schleiermacher/selected sermons of schleiermacher/vi forgiveness and love.htm

Providential Guidance
... This being satisfactorily accomplished, I returned once more to Shanghai, en route
for Swatow, hoping soon to rejoin my much-loved friend, Mr. Burns, in the ...
/.../taylor/a retrospect/chapter xiv providential guidance.htm

Much-loved (2 Occurrences)
Much-loved. Much, Much-loved. Muck . Multi-Version Concordance
Much-loved (2 Occurrences). John 21:17 A third time Jesus ...
/m/much-loved.htm - 7k

Information (14 Occurrences)
... Colossians 4:7 Tychicus, our much-loved brother, a trusty assistant and fellow servant
with us in the Lord's work, will give you every information about me. ...
/i/information.htm - 11k

Trusty (4 Occurrences)
... Colossians 4:7 Tychicus, our much-loved brother, a trusty assistant and fellow servant
with us in the Lord's work, will give you every information about me. ...
/t/trusty.htm - 7k

Muck (2 Occurrences)

/m/muck.htm - 7k

Much (2586 Occurrences)

/m/much.htm - 7k

Cuckow (2 Occurrences)
... and shining eyes. Our birds build their own nests, attend their young
with care and are muchloved for their beauty. Their food ...
/c/cuckow.htm - 8k

Cuckoo (2 Occurrences)
... and shining eyes. Our birds build their own nests, attend their young
with care and are muchloved for their beauty. Their food ...
/c/cuckoo.htm - 9k

Assistant (3 Occurrences)
... Colossians 4:7 Tychicus, our much-loved brother, a trusty assistant and fellow servant
with us in the Lord's work, will give you every information about me. ...
/a/assistant.htm - 7k

Dear (120 Occurrences)
... him the third time, "Am I dear to you?" "Master," he replied, "you know everything,
you can see that you are dear to me." "Then feed my much-loved sheep," said ...
/d/dear.htm - 37k

Husks (1 Occurrence)
... a pulpy substance in which the beans are imbedded; this pulp is of a pleasant, sweetish
flavor and has a characteristic odor, and is muchloved by children. ...
/h/husks.htm - 7k

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