Topical Bible: Love to Man: Paul

◄ Love to Man: Paul ►

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The Apostle Paul, a central figure in the New Testament, is renowned for his profound teachings on love, particularly love towards fellow humans. His epistles are replete with exhortations and theological insights that emphasize the importance of love as a fundamental Christian virtue.

1. The Nature of Love:

Paul's most comprehensive discourse on love is found in 1 Corinthians 13, often referred to as the "Love Chapter." Here, Paul describes love as patient, kind, and devoid of envy, boasting, or arrogance. He writes, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud" (1 Corinthians 13:4). This passage underscores love as an active, selfless commitment to the well-being of others, transcending mere emotions or sentiments.

2. Love as the Fulfillment of the Law:

In his letter to the Romans, Paul articulates the idea that love is the fulfillment of the law. He states, "The commandments... are summed up in this one decree: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law" (Romans 13:9-10). This teaching highlights love as the guiding principle that encapsulates and surpasses the requirements of the Mosaic Law, urging believers to prioritize love in their interactions with others.

3. Love in the Christian Community:

Paul's epistles frequently address the dynamics of love within the Christian community. In Ephesians, he encourages believers to "walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God" (Ephesians 5:2). This call to emulate Christ's sacrificial love serves as a model for interpersonal relationships within the church, promoting unity and mutual edification.

4. Love and Spiritual Gifts:

In 1 Corinthians 12-14, Paul discusses spiritual gifts and their role in the church, emphasizing that love is superior to all gifts. He asserts, "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal" (1 Corinthians 13:1). Paul insists that love must be the foundation and motivation for the exercise of spiritual gifts, ensuring that they are used for the common good rather than personal aggrandizement.

5. Love for All People:

Paul's vision of love extends beyond the Christian community to encompass all humanity. In Galatians, he writes, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith" (Galatians 6:10). This exhortation reflects Paul's understanding of love as an inclusive, proactive force that seeks the welfare of all people, regardless of their faith or background.

6. Love and Personal Sacrifice:

Paul's own life exemplifies the principle of love through personal sacrifice. In his letter to the Philippians, he expresses his willingness to be "poured out like a drink offering" for the sake of their faith (Philippians 2:17). His ministry, marked by hardships and persecution, demonstrates a profound commitment to the spiritual growth and salvation of others, embodying the self-giving love he preached.

Paul's teachings on love to man are foundational to Christian ethics, emphasizing love as the highest virtue and the essence of the Christian life. His writings continue to inspire believers to cultivate love in their hearts and actions, reflecting the love of Christ to the world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Corinthians 6:11,12
O you Corinthians, our mouth is open to you, our heart is enlarged.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

An Admirable Exhortation of S. Paul to the Ecstatic and Superhuman ...
... But finally, methinks S. Paul makes the most forcible, pressing and admirable ... [347]
Yes, Theotimus, nothing so much presses man's heart as love; if a man ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter viii an admirable exhortation.htm

Paul Writes to the Christians at Rome
... Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle ... one command: "You shall
love your neighbor as yourself." Love never wrongs a fellow man; that is ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/paul writes to the christians.htm

Paul Writes to his Friends in Corinth
... Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will ... as a child; but now that
I am a man I have ... And now abide faith, hope, and love, these three; but the ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/paul writes to his friends 2.htm

Latimer -- on Christian Love
... much like St. Paul's saying in the 13th to the Romans, "Owe nothing to any
man, but to love one another." Here St. Paul lappeth up ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/latimer on christian love.htm

Acts of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.
... And on the following day Simon the magian, and Peter and Paul the apostles of Christ,
having come ... Nero said: God commands us to love every man; why, then ...
/.../unknown/acts of the holy apostles peter and paul/acts of the holy apostles.htm

The Greatest Thing in the World
... And it is not prejudice. A man is apt to recommend to others his own strong
point. Love was not Paul's strong point. The observing ...
/.../the greatest thing in the.htm

True Hearing
... St Paul felt such love when he said, "I would that ... The highest act of renunciation
for man is for God's sake ... give up God, and that is what St Paul was willing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/eckhart/meister eckharts sermons/iv true hearing.htm

Love, the Motive Power for Service.
... this chapter in Paul's letter. He told these Corinthians that a man might be full
of faith and zeal; he might be very benevolent; but if he had not love he was ...
/.../moody/to the work to the work/chapter ii love the motive.htm

Prayer Takes in the Whole Man
... This was praying which took in the entire man. Paul was acquainted with this kind
of praying ... brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/i prayer takes in the.htm

Christ and Man in the Atonement
... which is inexorable to sin, and cannot take it as other than it is in all its
consequences, and a love which through all ... Paul says, 'in this man'; it is ...
/.../denney/the atonement and the modern mind/chapter iii christ and man.htm