There are many things I hate. Drugs, violence, pornography, murder, rape, abuse. I don’t just dislike them I hate them. Moreover, if someone murders my mom I’m not going to love them. It’s only healthy to hate some things. I don’t love my enemy the same way I love myself. It’s unhealthy. Love protects. So, I must protect myself from harm to be healthy. I don’t hang out at bars, strip clubs etc. etc. Moreover, if I love my mom I’m going to try to protect her from a violent person. If someone violently attacks my mom it’s not time to love. If you love someone then it must be coupled with hatred towards anyone who tries to violently harm the objects of your love.
Well, some things to think about:
I think Christ also talked about thoughts - like lustful thoughts - being just as bad.
I think you are bringing up ethical situations or ethics. Perhaps like the trolley train problem.
Hey there Randy
I don’t have lustful thoughts anymore. I don’t put garbage in my head anymore. Moreover you can sacrifice yourself but you go down fighting. If someone violently attacks my mom and I try to protect her and die in the process then I sacrificed. But I went down fighting.
Yes that is the natural way of thinking. I have thought this way also—love your friends (and mother) and hate your enemies (those who harm your friends and mother).But that is not what Jesus taught. I am a Christian and must abide by His teachings:
You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (Matt 5:43-45 NASB)
Jesus said that we are not to hate our enemies but to love them and pray for them. In this way we show ourselves to be God’s children. God doesn’t discriminate; he makes his sun shine and rain fall on everyone—good and evil.
You might remind me that Moses and the prophets didn’t depict God as loving evil people, but as wreaking vengeance upon them, killing them, and bringing disaster upon them. But Jesus never said such things about his Father. Rather He said this:
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. (Luke 6:35 NASB)
So we are even to do good toward our enemies, and lend to them without expecting repayment. Thus doing we show ourselves to be children of God. For He is KIND to ungrateful people and to evil people!
There are some people today who actually take Jesus’ words seriously. For example, the case of the Amish community in which someone came in and killed 10 school girls. The people immediately forgave. The story is given here:
lancasterpa.com/amish/amish-forgiveness/
If you get the opportunity, please view the movie “Amish Grace”. You can buy the movie from Amazon for less that $5:
amazon.com/Amish-Grace-Kimberly-Williams-Paisley/dp/B003V3FSO6
Grace and forgiveness do not mean overlooking wrongdoing. But they do mean loving and doing good to the evil doer. Your love may even bring him to repentance and to submitting his life to Christ.
Hi Michael- From a purely gut reaction i would agree with you completely. Paidion brings up the response Jesus has and instructs us to have, which of course needs His Spirit to carry it out. I don’t think there is a timetable on it, a constant lifelong process.
Paidion- could you list the verses in John and 1 John which contain love in them and show the meaning in the greek?? Thanks so much. I want to see a comparison if the meaning canges at all as to the kind of love being spoken about 
Michael, you’ve hit a nerve here I think!
I’ve got a kinda same /kinda different take on this subject.
We just studied this in bible study and it was fascinating the differences in opinion these passages brought to the table. One man, in response to the Charleston shooting said “if someone walked in here (church) with a weapon, I would not hesitate a minute to kill him to save everyone else.”
And so the conversation got quite exciting for a while. The pastor said he believed Christ’s command (which is what the bible study was called, ‘the commands of Christ.’) but would try to stop the assailant from hurting anyone else without killing the perpetrator if possible. I think he used the term maim.
Paidion, I am with you and all that you said. But… there might be a third way of looking at this.
Christ’s command is for us to turn the other cheek. Do good even when presented with evil. I feel I could probably do this by* myself*. Alone.
My wife and kids and grandkids look to me for guidance and protection. I am not the one to turn THEIR cheek. Though I may teach them this commandment of Christ, And they may well at some point practice this for themselves, I’m afraid I could never live with myself knowing that I could have intervened and stopped violent loss of life. And I may add that taking action does not mean you hate…
You were just given no choice.
But the bigger picture is to ask ourselves why we let our minds go there . We truly are suppose to love and part of that is conditioning your thoughts to be on things of Christ.
I have every reason to believe that a Christian who is for whatever reason thrust into a perilous situation will be under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Good posts everyone!
Loving your enemy will destroy you. My most hated enemy is drugs and alcohol. I don’t love it anymore it’s ugly to me now. So are violent and filthy music and movies. I don’t find that attractive. Your enemy will abuse you. You must detach from him and not go around Him. It’s the only healthy way to live.
Everything in ;moderation.
Take alcohol. Wine is widely used in Jewish and Christian culture. Jesus did make wine part of his “remembrance”, regardless of how we view it. He turned water into wine. And medically, studies show alcohol has health properties,m when done in moderation.
In fact, the Republicans and Democrats can benefit from Granny’s spring tonic
Hi Robert,
I know of four Greek words which have been translated as “love.” In my opinion, only one should be so translated.
-
ἀγαπη (agapā) love (noun)
ἀγαπαω (agapaō) I love (verb) -
φιλος (philos) a person who is fond of or likes a person or an object, a friend (noun), the English word “philosophy” is derived from this word.
φιλεω (phileō) I am fond of, I like (verb), -
στοργη (storgā) natural affection, as, for example, between family members
-
ἐρος (eros) sexual love, or in some cases romantic love (not necessarily the same thing).
These are the exact four Greek words with which Clive Staples Lewis dealt in his book, “The Four Loves.”
As far as the New Testament is concerned, we can dismiss ἐρος, since the word does not occur there, nor in the Septuagint of the Old Testament.
Neither does στοργη appear in the New Testament, though the negative form ἀστοργη (Strongs 794) appears twice:
Romans 1:31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving <794>, unforgiving, unmerciful;
2 Timothy 3:3 unloving <794>, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good
In this case I think the Authorized Version has a better translation of the word: “without natural affection.”
As I see it, ἀγαπη is a selfless, giving form of love. It is not an emotion, but it is action (although emotions may be involved in giving this kind of love). The other three words, sometimes translated as “love,” essentially denote the emotions of those who possess them. Those who sacrifice themselves for others are exhibiting ἀγαπη love to the highest degree. It is the love that Paul described in 1 Cor 13.
Jesus said, "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13 NASB). Some people say that ἀγαπη is “spiritual love.” I think this idea actually detracts from the meaning. Even non-Christians show this kind of love at times. Some of them have sacrificed their life and/or well-being for the sake of others.
Here are all instances of ἀγαπη (Strongs 26) in the New Testament (NKJV):
Matthew 24:12 "And because lawlessness will abound, the love <26> of many will grow cold.
Luke 11:42 "But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love <26> of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.
John 5:42 "But I know you, that you do not have the love <26> of God in you.
John 13:35 “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love <26> for one another.”
John 15:9 "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love <26>.
John 15:10 "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love <26>, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love <26>.
John 15:13 "Greater love <26> has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
John 17:26 “And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love <26> with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”
Romans 5:5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love <26> of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love <26> toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love <26> of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Romans 8:39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love <26> of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 12:9 Let love <26> be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
Romans 13:10 Love <26> does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love <26> is the fulfillment of the law.
Romans 14:15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love <26>. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died.
Romans 15:30 Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love <26> of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me,
1 Corinthians 4:21 What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love <26> and a spirit of gentleness?
1 Corinthians 8:1 Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love <26> edifies.
1 Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love <26>, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
1 Corinthians 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love <26>, I am nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love <26>, it profits me nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:4 Love <26> suffers long and is kind; love <26> does not envy; love <26> does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
1 Corinthians 13:8 Love <26> never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.
1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abide faith, hope, love <26>, these three; but the greatest of these is love <26>.
1 Corinthians 14:1 Pursue love <26>, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
1 Corinthians 16:14 Let all that you do be done with love <26>.
1 Corinthians 16:24 My love <26> be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
2 Corinthians 2:4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love <26> which I have so abundantly for you.
2 Corinthians 2:8 Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love <26> to him.
2 Corinthians 5:14 For the love <26> of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died;
2 Corinthians 6:6 by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love <26>,
2 Corinthians 8:7 But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love <26> for us—see that you abound in this grace also.
2 Corinthians 8:8 I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love <26> by the diligence of others.
2 Corinthians 8:24 Therefore show to them, and before the churches the proof of your love <26> and of our boasting on your behalf.
2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love <26> and peace will be with you.
2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love <26> of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
Galatians 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love <26>.
Galatians 5:13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love <26> serve one another.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love <26>, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Ephesians 1:4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love <26>,
Ephesians 1:15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love <26> for all the saints,
Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love <26> with which He loved us,
Ephesians 3:17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love <26>,
Ephesians 3:19 to know the love <26> of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 4:2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love <26>,
Ephesians 4:15 but, speaking the truth in love <26>, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—
Ephesians 4:16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love <26>.
Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love <26>, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
Ephesians 6:23 Peace to the brethren, and love <26> with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:9 And this I pray, that your love <26> may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,
Philippians 1:17 but the latter out of love <26>, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.
Philippians 2:1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love <26>, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,
Philippians 2:2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love <26>, being of one accord, of one mind.
Colossians 1:4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love <26> for all the saints;
Colossians 1:8 who also declared to us your love <26> in the Spirit.
Colossians 1:13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love <26>,
Colossians 2:2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love <26>, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,
Colossians 3:14 But above all these things put on love <26>, which is the bond of perfection.
1 Thessalonians 1:3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love <26>, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,
1 Thessalonians 3:6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love <26>, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you—
1 Thessalonians 3:12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love <26> to one another and to all, just as we do to you,
1 Thessalonians 5:8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love <26>, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.
1 Thessalonians 5:13 and to esteem them very highly in love <26> for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
2 Thessalonians 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love <26> of every one of you all abounds toward each other,
2 Thessalonians 2:10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love <26> of the truth, that they might be saved.
2 Thessalonians 3:5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love <26> of God and into the patience of Christ.
1 Timothy 1:5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love <26> from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,
1 Timothy 1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love <26> which are in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 2:15 Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love <26>, and holiness, with self-control.
1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love <26>, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
1 Timothy 6:11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love <26>, patience, gentleness.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love <26> and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love <26> which are in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love <26>, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
2 Timothy 3:10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love <26>, perseverance,
Titus 2:2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love <26>, in patience;
Philemon 1:5 hearing of your love <26> and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,
Philemon 1:7 For we have great joy and consolation in your love <26>, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.
Philemon 1:9 yet for love’s <26> sake I rather appeal to you —being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ—
Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love <26> which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love <26> and good works,
1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent love <26> for one another, for “love <26> will cover a multitude of sins.”
1 Peter 5:14 Greet one another with a kiss of love <26>. Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
2 Peter 1:7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love <26>.
1 John 2:5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love <26> of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.
1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love <26> of the Father is not in him.
1 John 3:1 Behold what manner of love <26> the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
1 John 3:16 By this we know love <26>, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
1 John 3:17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love <26> of God abide in him?
1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love <26> is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
1 John 4:8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love <26>.
1 John 4:9 In this the love <26> of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
1 John 4:10 In this is love <26>, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1 John 4:12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love <26> has been perfected in us.
1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love <26> that God has for us. God is love <26>, and he who abides in love <26> abides in God, and God in him.
1 John 4:17 Love <26> has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love <26>; but perfect love <26> casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love <26>.
1 John 5:3 For this is the love <26> of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
2 John 1:3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love <26>.
2 John 1:6 This is love <26>, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.
3 John 1:6 who have borne witness of your love <26> before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well,
Jude 1:2 Mercy, peace, and love <26> be multiplied to you.
Jude 1:12 These are spots in your love feasts <26>, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots;
Jude 1:21 keep yourselves in the love <26> of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Revelation 2:4 "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love <26>.
Revelation 2:19 "I know your works, love <26>, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.
Here are all instances of ἀγαπαω (Strongs 25) in the New Testament (NKJV)
Matthew 5:43 "You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love <25> your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
Matthew 5:44 "But I say to you, love <25> your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
Matthew 5:46 "For if you love <25> those who love <25> you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love <25> the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Matthew 19:19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love <25> your neighbor as yourself.’”
Matthew 22:37 Jesus said to him, "‘You shall love <25> the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
Matthew 22:39 "And the second is like it: ‘You shall love <25> your neighbor as yourself.’
Mark 10:21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved <25> him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”
Mark 12:30 ‘And you shall love <25> the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.
Mark 12:31 “And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love <25> your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Mark 12:33 “And to love <25> Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love <25> one’s neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
Luke 6:27 "But I say to you who hear: Love <25> your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
Luke 6:32 "But if you love <25> those who love <25> you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love <25> those who love <25> them.
Luke 6:35 "But love <25> your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.
Luke 7:5 “for he loves <25> our nation, and has built us a synagogue.”
Luke 7:42 “And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love <25> him more?”
Luke 7:47 “Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved <25> much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves <25> little.”
Luke 10:27 So he answered and said, “‘You shall love <25> the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’”
Luke 11:43 "Woe to you Pharisees! For you love <25> the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.
Luke 16:13 “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love <25> the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
John 3:16 "For God so loved <25> the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:19 "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved <25> darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
John 3:35 "The Father loves <25> the Son, and has given all things into His hand.
John 8:42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love <25> Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me.
John 10:17 "Therefore My Father loves <25> Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.
John 11:5 Now Jesus loved <25> Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
John 12:43 for they loved <25> the praise of men more than the praise of God.
John 13:1 Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved <25> His own who were in the world, He loved <25> them to the end.
John 13:23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved <25>.
John 13:34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love <25> one another; as I have loved <25> you, that you also love <25> one another.
John 14:15 "If you love <25> Me, keep My commandments.
John 14:21 “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves <25> Me. And he who loves <25> Me will be loved <25> by My Father, and I will love <25> him and manifest Myself to him.”
John 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves <25> Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love <25> him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
John 14:24 "He who does <25> not love <25> Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.
John 14:28 "You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved <25> Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I.
John 14:31 "But that the world may know that I love <25> the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here.
John 15:9 "As the Father loved <25> Me, I also have loved <25> you; abide in My love.
John 15:12 "This is My commandment, that you love <25> one another as I have loved <25> you.
John 15:17 "These things I command you, that you love <25> one another.
John 17:23 "I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved <25> them as You have loved <25> Me.
John 17:24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved <25> Me before the foundation of the world.
John 17:26 “And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved <25> Me may be in them, and I in them.”
John 19:26 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved <25> standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!”
John 21:7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved <25> said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea.
John 21:15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love <25> Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
John 21:16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love <25> Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
John 21:20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved <25> following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?”
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love <25> God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved <25> us.
Romans 9:13 As it is written, “Jacob I have loved <25>, but Esau I have hated.”
Romans 9:25 As He says also in Hosea: “I will call them My people, who were not My people, And her beloved <25>, who was not beloved <25>.”
Romans 13:8 Owe no one anything except to love <25> one another, for he who loves <25> another has fulfilled the law.
Romans 13:9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love <25> your neighbor as yourself.”
1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love <25> Him.”
1 Corinthians 8:3 But if anyone loves <25> God, this one is known by Him.
2 Corinthians 9:7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves <25> a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 11:11 Why? Because I do not love <25> you? God knows!
2 Corinthians 12:15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love <25> you, the less I am loved <25>.
Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved <25> me and gave Himself for me.
Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love <25> your neighbor as yourself.”
Ephesians 1:6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved <25>.
Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved <25> us,
Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved <25> us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love <25> your wives, just as Christ also loved <25> the church and gave Himself for her,
Ephesians 5:28 So husbands ought to love <25> their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves <25> his wife loves <25> himself.
Ephesians 5:33 Nevertheless let <25> each one of you in particular so love <25> his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Ephesians 6:24 Grace be with all those who love <25> our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved <25>, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
Colossians 3:19 Husbands, love <25> your wives and do not be bitter toward them.
1 Thessalonians 1:4 knowing, beloved <25> brethren, your election by God.
1 Thessalonians 4:9 But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love <25> one another;
2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved <25> by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,
2 Thessalonians 2:16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved <25> us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace,
2 Timothy 4:8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved <25> His appearing.
2 Timothy 4:10 for Demas has forsaken me, having loved <25> this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.
Hebrews 1:9 You have loved <25> righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”
Hebrews 12:6 For whom the LORD loves <25> He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”
James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love <25> Him.
James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love <25> Him?
James 2:8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love <25> your neighbor as yourself,” you do well;
1 Peter 1:8 whom having not seen you love <25>. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
1 Peter 1:22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love <25> one another fervently with a pure heart,
1 Peter 2:17 Honor all people. Love <25> the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
1 Peter 3:10 For "He who would love <25> life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.
2 Peter 2:15 They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved <25> the wages of unrighteousness;
1 John 2:10 He who loves <25> his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
1 John 2:15 Do not love <25> the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves <25> the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1 John 3:10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does <25> not love <25> his brother.
1 John 3:11 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love <25> one another,
1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love <25> the brethren. He who does <25> not love <25> his brother abides in death.
1 John 3:18 My little children, let us <25> not love <25> in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
1 John 3:23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love <25> one another, as He gave us commandment.
1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love <25> one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves <25> is born of God and knows God.
1 John 4:8 He who does not love <25> does not know God, for God is love.
1 John 4:10 In this is love, not that we loved <25> God, but that He loved <25> us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved <25> us, we also ought to love <25> one another.
1 John 4:12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love <25> one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.
1 John 4:19 We love <25> Him because He first loved <25> us.
1 John 4:20 If someone says, “I love <25> God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love <25> his brother whom he has seen, how can he love <25> God whom he has not seen?
1 John 4:21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves <25> God must love <25> his brother also.
1 John 5:1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves <25> Him who begot also loves <25> him who is begotten of Him.
1 John 5:2 By this we know that we love <25> the children of God, when we love <25> God and keep His commandments.
2 John 1:1 THE ELDER, To the elect lady and her children, whom I love <25> in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth,
2 John 1:5 And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love <25> one another.
3 John 1:1 THE ELDER, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love <25> in truth:
Revelation 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved <25> us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,
Revelation 3:9 "Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved <25> you.
Revelation 12:11 "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did <25> not love <25> their lives to the death.
Revelation 20:9 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved <25> city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.
Here are all instances of φιλος ( Strongs 5384) in the New Testament:
Matthew 11:19 “The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend <5384> of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.”
Luke 7:6 Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends <5384> to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.
Luke 7:34 "The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend <5384> of tax collectors and sinners!’
Luke 11:5 And He said to them, "Which of you shall have a friend <5384>, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend <5384>, lend me three loaves;
Luke 11:6 ‘for a friend <5384> of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’;
Luke 11:8 "I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend <5384>, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.
Luke 12:4 "And I say to you, My friends <5384>, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
Luke 14:10 "But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, ‘Friend <5384>, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you.
Luke 14:12 Then He also said to him who invited Him, "When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends <5384>, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid.
Luke 15:6 "And when he comes home, he calls together his friends <5384> and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’
Luke 15:9 "And when she has found it, she calls her friends <5384> and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’
Luke 15:29 "So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends <5384>.
Luke 16:9 "And I say to you, make friends <5384> for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home.
Luke 21:16 "You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends <5384>; and they will put some of you to death.
Luke 23:12 That very day Pilate and Herod became friends <5384> with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other.
John 3:29 "He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend <5384> of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled.
John 11:11 These things He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend <5384> Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.”
John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends <5384>.
John 15:14 "You are My friends <5384> if you do whatever I command you.
John 15:15 "No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends <5384>, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
John 19:12 From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar’s friend <5384>. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.”
Acts 10:24 And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends <5384>.
Acts 19:31 Then some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends <5384>, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater.
Acts 27:3 And the next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him liberty to go to his friends <5384> and receive care.
James 2:23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend <5384> of God.
James 4:4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend <5384> of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
3 John 1:14 but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face. Peace to you. Our friends <5384> greet you. Greet the friends <5384> by name.
Hey Randy,
I don’t have a problem with it like at a communion but I don’t drink large quantities of it especially beer. I have no desire for it. Moreover it leads to other things. For me it’s the enemy.
Hey Paidion,
All that thinking of Jesus got Him murdered. You have to love and take care of yourself. That means not hanging out with drug addicts, prostitutes, murders, child abusers, violent criminals etc., etc. Unless you are counseling them.
Michael and Maintenance Man, looks like your “στοργη” overrides your “ἀγαπη.” Mine would too, from my natural inclinations. But my Lord teaches me that ἀγαπη must rule supreme. Paul wrote "The greatest of these is ἀγαπη.
I do agree with the position of stopping a killer, if possible, by any means short of killing him. The way of the cross is not a weak way, but the way of strength, as our Lord demonstrated, even though his natural desire was to escape it "If possible let this cup (of suffering) pass from me].
The way of non-resistance that our Lord taught is not tantamount to being a doormat. Not many people, if forced to go a mile, will go two. Not many, if forced to give their coat will also give their shirt. Not many will even refuse to take an oath. I have sometimes failed in carrying out the teachings of my Lord and Saviour. But I make it my aim to be consistent in making his teachings my practice.
I’m a bit of a pragmatist so Paul’s words jive with me…
Reality is… it’s NOT always possible; and it’s not specified who’s “other cheek” actually gets turned. 
Having said that, I don’t really have “enemies” –– though there might be one or two who from time to time for whatever reasons don’t like me, but I don’t waste energy fussing over who might have a problem with me; IF however I become aware there is an issue and I can fix it great, otherwise I just let it go.
The saying goes that " we are our own worst enemy." So I would say that the first place to start in loving our enemy would be to come love ourselves. Because if we don’t do this, then how are we able to fulfill the commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves ?
Davo,
Evil is everybody’s enemy. I’m not my enemy.
Well I’m glad you’re not your enemy. Evil is only a problem to the degree such is given a footing.
Hum! I wonder if this is ethical? Would it be ethical for someone working at the USA Republican and Democrat debates, to slip some of Granny’s spring tonic (i.e. see earlier video), into the candidate’s podium drinking water? It would certainly liven up the debates! 
It works for me. Alcohol and drugs are ugly to me. I don’t love violence and filth. I therefore don’t watch violent music or listen to violent and filthy music. I stay away from it. I focus on lovely things. Things that I consider beautiful. If you love evil you are going to be attracted to it.
Robert Green
Well, Michael, that does raise a question. As you know, art can be subjective. How do we know if a piece of music is violent or filthy? Or expanding on that - a book, TV show, movie, video game, etc., is violent or filthy? In fact, if they tried to create a film of Old Testament stories as described in the Bible, they might be considered violent or filthy. Do you have a definition for “violent” and “filthy”?
Yes, the Old Testament is violent and filthy. I still have some of it in my head but the images are gone. I don’t put images of violence, murder, rape or music that talks about such things in my head. I stay away from real intense and evil music. Here’s an example of what I use to listen to: