Sermon Notes

A. What love is John talking about?

1. Love is agape (ἀγάπη)

2. Greek and Old Testament background

a. Greek had three verbs for love.
· erao(ἐράω): used for passion and sexual desire.
· phileo (φιλέω)
· agapao (ἀγαπάω)

b. Of these, only agapao and phileo are used in the New Testament.
c. Erao is, however, used in the Septuagint (the Greek version of the Old Testament) and the Apocrypha (In each case the Hebrew verb translated is ahav [אהב].). Its association with lust and perversion (ex. Eze 16:33) made it inappropriate for use in the Bible. It is only used in a good sense in one place, Proverbs 4:6.

d. The words agapao and phileo are often used interchangeably. There is a difference however. Both are used for love in concrete and abstract terms, but phileo is usually reserved for intimate personal relationships [for instance phileo can be used for to kiss (Mat 26:48)]. Thus, while they can both be used of loving someone, agapao can be used for someone you don’t know while phileocannot.

e. Agapao was, in very ancient Greek literature a word used for to wish [someone] well, to have regard for. Yet, in spite of this, it is the word overwhelmingly used in the Septuagint for the love of God for man. Why? No one knows. It may simply come down to the fact that the word resembles the Hebrew word ahav.

f. Agapao, was used so much in the Septuagint, and was so unused in pagan Greek literature that the Apostles were able to pack it (and the noun agape) with associations which were specifically Christian.

3. Agape was invested by the Apostles with all the attributes of Hebrew and Aramaic words for love, mercy, kindness, charity and humility. It was then given to the Church in a Greek speaking world.

a. This is why agapao is not found at all in Acts, Mark or James; only once in Matthew and Luke; twice in Hebrews and Revelation. But, it is frequently found in the writings of Paul, John, Peter and Jude.

b. A flexible understanding of love includes Christian conduct resembling that of Jesus.

B. Whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected.

1. The goal is perfect love
a. It shows that we are in relationship with God.

b. God doesn’t just have love – He is love.

2. The method: keeping His word.
a. His word is His commandment to love one another.

b. When we do it, God’s love is made perfect.

C. Abiding in love and love abiding in us.

1. The word abide[ (μένω)] actually means to stand or remain. This is the Greek word Paul uses this word to describe that which remains after being tested.

2. Paul uses faith, hope and love as three constant and continually abiding virtues.

a. This is in contrast to prophecy, tongues and knowledge, which will pass away.
b. Love abides or stands, in opposition to fall, used in verse eight.