Who, what and how to love?

It is possible for love to be directed toward a multitude of subjects

Ancient manuscripts of the Bible can be found in koine Greek. 

The Greek word for "LOVE" [agapé 26 in Greek, noun] can be used in the Bible, and it comes from the Greek word for "TO-LOVE" [agapaó 25 in Greek, verb].

These Greek words to describe LOVE can be directed toward a multitude of subjects. For example:

"Woe (to) you Pharisees, because YOU-LOVE [agapaó 25 in Greek] the seat-of-honor in the synagogues" (Luke 11:43)

"people LOVED [agapaó 25 in Greek] the darkness rather than the Light" (John 3:19)

"THEY-LOVED [agapaó 25 in Greek] the glory (of) people more than the glory (of) God" (John 12:43)

"Demas deserted me, HAVING-LOVED [agapaó 25 in Greek] the present age" (2 Timothy 4:10)

"Balaam the (son of) Bosor, who LOVED [agapaó 25 in Greek] (the) wages (of) unrighteousness" (2 Peter 2:15)

"BE-LOVING [agapaó 25 in Greek] your enemies" (Luke 6:35)

"BE-LOVING [agapaó 25 in Greek] the brotherhood" (1 Peter 2:17).

People can be able to love or not love

People can be commanded to love. For example:

"Husbands, BE-LOVING (your) wives" (Colossians 3:19).

"BE-LOVING the brotherhood" (1 Peter 2:17).

People can be commanded to NOT love. For example:

"DO NOT BE-LOVING the world, nor the (things) in the world" (1 John 2:15).

The Greek word for "BE-LOVING" (in Colossians 3:19, 1 Peter 2:17 & 1 John 2:15) is in the imperative mood, which expresses a command to the hearer to perform something by the order and authority of the one commanding. The indicative mood in the Greek was not used in those verses, which would simply have been a statement of fact that would have described something merely happening. 

Sinning ones (sinners) are described as able to love, but in a limited way

A sinning one (sinner) is able to love someone else, as Jesus said: "the SINNING (ones) ARE-LOVING the (ones) loving them" (Luke 6:32). This love here of sinning ones (sinners) is described as limited to the ones loving them. 

Who to love? A goal is to extend our love

Love is to be extended to any neighbor: 

Jesus said to extend our love to any "neighbor" that we can encounter, not just selective ones, as for example it was said: "YOU-SHALL-LOVE [...] YOUR NEIGHBOR as yourself" (Luke 10:27) but someone "wanting to-justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my NEIGHBOR?”" (Luke 10:29), and Jesus proceeded to describe a parable of a good Samaritan helping someone that they may not even have known (who was just on their way when going somewhere), saying: "(A) certain man was-going-down from Jerusalem to Jericho. And he-fell-into robbers, who, both having-stripped him and having-laid-on blows, went-away — having-left (him) half-dead. And by coincidence, (a) certain priest was-going-down on that road. And having-seen him, he-passed-by-on-the-other-side. And likewise also (a) Levite having-come-to-be upon the place, having-come and having-seen, passed-by-on-the-other-side. But (a) certain Samaritan, (while) traveling, came upon him. And having-seen, he-felt-deep-feelings [of compassion]. And having-gone to (him), he-bound his wounds, pouring-on oil and wine. And having-put him on (his) own mount, he-brought him to (an) inn and took-care-of him. And on the next-day, having-taken-out two denarii, he-gave (them to) the innkeeper and said, ‘Take-care-of him. And whatever thing you-spend-further I will-give-back (to) you during my returning’. Which (of) these three seems (to) you to-have-become (a) NEIGHBOR (of) the (one) having-fallen into the robbers?” And the (one) said, “The (one) having-done mercy to him”. And Jesus said (to) him, “Go, and you be-doing likewise”." (Luke 10:30-37).

Love is to be extended to our enemies: 

Jesus said to extend our love not only to those who love us, but also to our enemies, as He said: "BE-LOVING YOUR ENEMIES" (Luke 6:35) for "If indeed you-are-loving the (ones) loving you, what-kind-of credit is-it (to) you? For even the sinning (ones) are-loving the (ones) loving them" (Luke 6:32).

Love is to be extended to God: 

Jesus said to extend our love to God, as He said: "YOU-SHALL-LOVE (the) Lord your GOD" (Matthew 22:37). 

Jesus reproached people who disregarded and were slackening in the love of God, saying: "WOE (TO) YOU Pharisees, because you-are-giving-a-tenth-of the mint and the rue and every garden-plant, and ARE-DISREGARDING the justice and THE LOVE (OF) GOD. But (you) ought-to-have done these (things), and not BE-SLACKENING those (things)" (Luke 11:42).

Love is to be extended to Jesus: 

Jesus indicated that one is to love Him, as He said: "The (one) LOVING father or mother above ME is not worthy (of) Me. And the (one) LOVING son or daughter above ME is not worthy (of) Me" (Matthew 10:37).

What to love?

The Bible describes subjects that we are to love.

We are not to love truth, as it is written about "the (ones) perishing because they did not receive the LOVE (OF) THE TRUTH so that they (might) be-saved" (2 Thessalonians 2:10). Here the love of the truth would be expected so that they might be saved.

It is written about Jesus that "with-regard-to the Son (He says)" (Hebrews 1:8) "You-LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS" (Hebrews 1:9).

The Bible describes subjects we are NOT to love. 

We are not to love falsehood, as it is written: "OUTSIDE (are) the dogs and the sorcerers, and the sexually-immoral (ones), and the murderers, and the idolaters, and EVERYONE LOVING and doing FALSEHOOD" (Revelation 22:15).

We are to avoid being those who are not lovers of good, as Paul wrote: "the people will-be [...] NOT-LOVERS-OF-GOOD" (2 Timothy 3:2-3), "be-turning-away-from these (ones)" (2 Timothy 3:5).

We are to not be pleasure lovers, as Paul wrote: "the people will-be [...] PLEASURE-LOVERS" (2 Timothy 3:2-4), "be-turning-away-from these (ones)" (2 Timothy 3:5).

We are to not be self lovers, as Paul wrote: "the people will-be SELF-LOVERS" (2 Timothy 3:2), "be-turning-away-from these (ones)" (2 Timothy 3:5).

We are to not have love of money, as it is written: "(Let) character (be) WITHOUT-LOVE-OF-MONEY, being-content (with) the present (things)" (Hebrews 13:5).

We are to not be loving the world nor the things in the world, as it is written in 1 John: "DO NOT BE-LOVING THE WORLD, NOR THE (THINGS) IN THE WORLD. If anyone may-be-loving the world, the love (of) the Father is not in him. Because everything in the world — the desire (of) the flesh, and the desire of the eyes, and the boastful-pride (of) life — is not from the Father, but is from the world" (1 John 2:15-16).

We are to not to love being first, as it is written: "Diotrephes, the (one) LOVING-TO-BE-FIRST (among) them, is not accepting us. Through this, if I-come I-will-call-to-mind his works which he-is-doing — talking-nonsense-about us (with) evil words" (3 John 9-10), "do not be-imitating the evil" (3 John 1:11). Jesus said instead that: "whoever wants TO-BE FIRST among you shall-be your slave — just-as the Son (of) Man did not come to-be-served, but to-serve" (Matthew 20:27-28).

Why are we to love?

It is written that "GOD is LOVE" (1 John 4:8). 

Jesus said to love your enemies so that you may prove to be sons of God, as He said: "BE-LOVING your enemies" (Matthew 5:44) "SO-THAT YOU-MAY-PROVE-TO-BE SONS (OF) YOUR FATHER IN (THE) HEAVENS— because He-causes-to-rise His sun upon evil and good (ones), and He-sends-rain upon righteous and unrighteous (ones). For if you-love the (ones) loving you, what reward do-you-have?" (Matthew 5:45-46).

It is written about God that "We are-loving BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US" (1 John 4:19) and "In this God’s love has-been-revealed in us: that God has-sent-forth His only-born Son into the world in-order-that we-may-live through Him. In this is love — not that we have-loved God, but that He loved us, and sent-forth His Son (to be the) propitiation for our sins" (1 John 4:9-10).

To LOVE is a condition of eternal life. 

For more information:

Is love a condition of eternal life?:

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Hierarchy of love? We are to love God first and our neighbor second

Jesus indicated that the commandment to love God was foremost, and then in second was to love your neighbor, as He said: "‘YOU-SHALL-LOVE (the) Lord your GOD with your whole heart, and with your whole soul, and with your whole mind’ — THIS IS THE GREAT AND FOREMOST COMMANDMENT. AND (THE) SECOND (is) like it, ‘‘YOU-SHALL-LOVE your NEIGHBOR as yourself’" (Matthew 22:37-39).

Hierarchy of love? We are to love Jesus above our family

Jesus indicated that one is to love Him above their own family, as He said: "The (one) LOVING father or mother ABOVE Me is not worthy (of) Me. And the (one) LOVING son or daughter ABOVE Me is not worthy (of) Me" (Matthew 10:37).

Our brotherly love can be distinct from our love in general 

The love for the brothers (and sisters in the faith) can be described as distinct from love in general, as for example Peter wrote to supply in our faith "BROTHERLY-LOVE; AND IN (your) BROTHERLY-LOVE, LOVE" (2 Peter 1:7). Here "BROTHERLY-LOVE" (2 Peter 1:7) and "LOVE" (2 Peter 1:7) can be described as distinct. So there is a distinct love for one another as brothers (and sisters in the faith), and another love to have in general. 

We are to love all our neighbors without showing favoritism

When it comes to our neighbor in general, we ought not to show favoritism in our love, as James wrote that if "“YOU-SHALL-LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR as yourself”, you-are-doing well. But IF YOU-ARE-SHOWING-FAVORITISM-TO-PEOPLE you-are-working (a) SIN" (James 2:8-9). 

Here someone showing favoritism to people is working a sin. To sin can mean to miss the aim. Here the aim would have been to love their neighbor (without showing favoritism by loving a neighbor more than another neighbor). 

For more information on how "to sin" can mean "to miss the aim":

What can "to sin" mean?:
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Is it possible to do things that appear loving without love?

Paul indicated that some things that appeared to be loving actions could be done without love, as he wrote: "if I-DOLE-OUT ALL MY POSSESSIONS, and if I-HAND-OVER MY BODY in-order-that I-may-boast, but I-do NOT have LOVE, I-am-profited nothing" (1 Corinthians 13:3). 

Paul wrote 3 chapters later to "LET ALL your (THINGS) BE-DONE in LOVE" (1 Corinthians 16:14).

Some things can be done without love because love is also not automatically produced. 

For more information:

Is love automatically produced?:

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How are we to love?

The Bible describes how we are to love:

We are to have the same love, as Paul wrote "that you-be-thinking the same (thing), HAVING THE SAME LOVE" (Philippians 2:2).

With our heart:

We are to love with all our whole heart: "‘YOU-SHALL-LOVE (the) Lord your GOD WITH YOUR WHOLE HEART, and with your whole soul, and with your whole mind’" (Matthew 22:37).

We are to love from a pure heart, as Paul wrote: "the end(-aim) (of the) command is LOVE FROM (A) PURE HEART" (1 Timothy 1:5). 

We are to love by being patient: "LOVE IS-PATIENT" (1 Corinthians 13:4). A patient love may be from the heart, as it is written: "You also BE-PATIENT. Establish your HEARTS" (James 5:8).

We are to love by showing-kindness: "LOVE SHOWS-KINDNESS" (1 Corinthians 13:4). A kind love may be from the heart, as it is written: "be KIND to one-another, TENDERHEARTED" (Ephesians 4:32).

We are to love sincerely, as Paul wrote: "(I say to let your) LOVE (be) SINCERE" (Romans 12:9). A sincere love can be from the heart, as it is written about "(a) SINCERE brotherly-LOVE — LOVE one-another fervently FROM (a) pure HEART" (1 Peter 1:22).

We are to love fervently, as Peter wrote: "LOVE one-another FERVENTLY" (1 Peter 1:22). A fervent love can be from the heart, as it is written about "LOVE one-another FERVENTLY FROM (a) pure HEART" (1 Peter 1:22).

With our soul & mind:

We are to love with all our whole soul: "‘YOU-SHALL-LOVE (the) Lord your GOD [...] WITH YOUR WHOLE SOUL" (Matthew 22:37).

We are to love with all our whole mind: "‘YOU-SHALL-LOVE (the) Lord your GOD [...] WITH YOUR WHOLE MIND" (Matthew 22:37).

We are to love in abounding in knowledge and all perception, as Paul wrote: "I-am-praying this: that your LOVE MAY-BE-ABOUNDING still more and more IN KNOWLEDGE AND ALL PERCEPTION" (Philippians 1:9). Loving in knowledge can be from the mind, as for example both knowledge and the mind may be linked in the following sentence: "as they-did not approve to-have God in (their) KNOWLEDGE, God handed them over to a disapproved MIND" (Romans 1:28).

We are to love by rejoicing with the truth: "LOVE [...] REJOICES-WITH THE TRUTH" (1 Corinthians 13:4-6). We are to love in truth: "WE-MAY-BE-LOVING not (with) word nor tongue, but IN work and TRUTH" (1 John 3:18). Loving in truth can be from the mind, as for example both truth and the mind may be linked in the following sentence: "these also oppose the TRUTH — people having-been-corrupted (as to) the MIND" (2 Timothy 3:8).

With our strength:

We are to love with all our whole strength: "‘YOU-SHALL-LOVE (the) Lord your GOD [...] FROM YOUR WHOLE STRENGTH" (Mark 12:30).

We are to love in work: "WE-MAY-BE-LOVING not (with) word nor tongue, but IN WORK" (1 John 3:18). Loving in work can be from the strength, as it is written of "the WORKING (of) the might (of) His STRENGTH" (Ephesians 1:19).

The Bible describes how we are NOT to love:

We are to love without envy: "LOVE DOES NOT ENVY" (1 Corinthians 13:4).

We are to love without bragging: "LOVE [...] DOES NOT BRAG" (1 Corinthians 13:4).

We are to love without being puffed-up: "LOVE [...] IS NOT PUFFED-UP" (1 Corinthians 13:4).

We are to love without behaving-dishonorably: "LOVE [...] DOES NOT BEHAVE-DISHONORABLY" (1 Corinthians 13:4-5).

We are to love without seeking our own things: "LOVE [...] DOES NOT SEEK ITS (OWN THINGS)" (1 Corinthians 13:4-5).

We are to love without provoking: "LOVE [...] IS NOT PROVOKED" (1 Corinthians 13:4-5).

We are to love without counting the bad: "LOVE [...] DOES NOT COUNT THE BAD" (1 Corinthians 13:4-5).

We are to love without rejoicing over unrighteousness: "LOVE [...] DOES NOT REJOICE OVER UNRIGHTEOUSNESS" (1 Corinthians 13:4-6).

We are to not let our love grow cold: "the LOVE (of) the majority WILL-GROW-COLD because-of lawlessness being-multiplied. But the (one) having-endured to (the) end — this (one) will-be-saved" (Matthew 24:12-13).

We are to not leave our first love: "I-have against you that YOU-LEFT YOUR FIRST LOVE. Therefore, be-remembering from-where you-have-fallen, and repent, and do the first works" (Revelation 2:4-5).

How? Is it possible to love God with our whole heart, soul, mind and strength?

It is possible to love God with our whole heart, soul, mind and strength. 

Jesus was asked about this, as it was said: "YOU-SHALL-LOVE (the) LORD your GOD from YOUR WHOLE HEART, and with YOUR WHOLE SOUL, and with YOUR WHOLE STRENGTH, and with YOUR WHOLE MIND" (Luke 10:27). The Greek verb for "YOU-SHALL-LOVE" (Luke 10:27) is in the INDICATIVE mood in the Greek, which would simply have been a statement of fact. The imperative mood was not used, which would have expressed a command to the hearer to perform something by the order and authority of the one commanding. Here the person simply would have expressed a statement of fact that would happen.

It was written in Deuteronomy that if a prophet comes to lead the people to serve different gods, "you will not listen to the words of that prophet, or the one dreaming that dream, because the LORD your God is testing you, to know whether you LOVE the LORD your GOD with YOUR WHOLE HEART and with YOUR WHOLE SOUL" (Deuteronomy 13:3). So here a test is done to see whether the people would love the LORD their God with their whole heart and with their whole soul. Surely there were people who would have passed that test. 

How? Is love necessarily accompanied with pleasant feelings or emotions?

Jesus was going trough a difficult time in the Garden of Gethsemane, but out of love for God He still obeyed God and did not seek His own will. This love was not accompanied in that case with pleasant feelings or emotions, as it is written about Jesus that "He-began TO-BE-GRIEVED and DISTRESSED" (Matthew 26:37).

Jesus wept in the context of Mary who has her brother Lazarus who just died, as it is written: "Jesus WEPT. So the Jews were-saying, “Look — how HE-WAS-LOVING him!" (John 11:35-36). Yet Jesus while weeping did not necessarily have His love accompanied with pleasant feelings or emotions, as it is written that He "WAS-DEEPLY-MOVED in (His) spirit, and TROUBLED Himself" (John 11:33).

How to walk in accordance with love?

Paul wrote to be "WALKING in-accordance-with LOVE" (Romans 14:15). 

Toward our neighbor:

Keeping commandments that can concern our neighbor can be walking in accordance with love toward them, as Paul wrote: "the (saying) “You-shall NOT COMMIT-ADULTERY, you-shall NOT MURDER, you-shall NOT STEAL, you-shall NOT COVET”, and if (there is) any other commandment, is-summed-up in this saying — in the “YOU-SHALL-LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR as yourself ”." 

Not working evil to our neighbor can be walking in accordance with love toward them, as Paul wrote that "LOVE DOES NOT WORK EVIL (to) the NEIGHBOR" (Romans 13:10).

Toward God:

Obeying God's commandments can be walking in accordance with the love of God, as it is written: "this is the LOVE (of) GOD: that WE-MAY-BE-KEEPING HIS COMMANDMENTS" (1 John 5:3).

The love of God has been perfected in someone who is keeping the word of Jesus Christ, as it is written about "JESUS CHRIST" (1 John 2:1) that "WHOEVER IS-KEEPING HIS WORD, truly the LOVE (of) GOD has-been-perfected in this (one)" (1 John 2:5).

Without loving our brother, we can not love God, as it is written: "If someone may-say that “I-LOVE GOD” and may-be-hating his brother, he-is (a) liar. For the (one) not LOVING his BROTHER whom he-has-seen is not able (to) be-loving God Whom he-has not seen. And we-have this commandment from Him: that the (one) loving God may-be-loving his brother also" (1 John 4:20-21).

The love of God cannot be in someone loving the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes and the boastful-pride of life, as it is written: "If anyone MAY-BE-LOVING THE WORLD, the LOVE (of) THE FATHER is NOT in him. Because everything in the world — THE DESIRE (OF) THE FLESH, and THE DESIRE OF THE EYES, and THE BOASTFUL-PRIDE (Of) LIFE — is not from the Father, but is from the world" (1 John 2:15-16).

Toward Jesus:

Obeying Jesus' commandments can be walking in accordance with love toward Him, as Jesus said: "If YOU-MAY-LOVE ME, YOU-WILL-KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS" (John 14:15). 

Keep the word of Jesus can be walking in accordance with love toward Him, as Jesus said: "If anyone LOVES ME, HE-WILL-KEEP MY WORD" (John 14:23) and "The (one) NOT LOVING ME DOES NOT KEEP MY WORDS" (John 14:24).

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