Agape - Love

Summary

In this insightful video, Tim from the Bible Project explores the multifaceted concept of 'agape' love as taught by Jesus. He clarifies that Jesus's teachings on loving God and neighbors are inseparable, emphasizing love as an action, not just a feeling. Jesus's life exemplifies this love through service to the poor and marginalized, culminating in his sacrificial death for his enemies. The video concludes by highlighting the Christian belief in God's selfless love, revealed in Jesus's life, death, and resurrection, encouraging believers to reflect this love in their actions towards others.

Takeaways

• 📜 The Golden Rule is a restatement of Jesus's teachings on the essence of life, emphasizing love for God and one's neighbor.
• 💬 The term 'love' in English can be ambiguous, as it can apply to different types of affection, which was clarified in the context of Jesus's teachings.
• 📖 The original Hebrew word for 'love your neighbor' is 'ahavah', and in Aramaic, it's 'rakhmah', both indicating a deep form of love.
• 🌐 As Jesus's teachings spread, they were translated into Greek as 'agape', which was redefined by the early followers based on Jesus's life and teachings.
• 🔑 Jesus identified the most important commandments as loving God and loving one's neighbor, viewing them as inseparable aspects of the same principle.
• ❤️ For Jesus, 'agape' love is an action and a deliberate choice to seek the well-being of others, rather than just a feeling.
• 🤝 Genuine love, according to Jesus, involves seeking the welfare of others without expecting anything in return, especially towards those who cannot reciprocate.
• 🕊 Jesus's teachings on love extend to loving one's enemies, which he considered the ultimate standard of authentic love, reflecting God's own character.
• 🚶 Jesus's life exemplified his teachings on love, as he consistently helped and served others, particularly those in need who could not benefit him.
• ✝️ Jesus's death was an act of love for his enemies, demonstrating the power of God's love as revealed through his life, death, and resurrection.
• 🙏 The Christian faith is rooted in the belief of a loving God, who has shown his love through Jesus, and calls believers to receive and extend this love to others.

Q & A

What is the Golden Rule as taught by Jesus?

The Golden Rule, as taught by Jesus, is 'Do to others what you would want them to do to you.' It is a restatement of the command to love God and love your neighbor as yourself.

What does the term 'love' signify in different contexts in English, and why is it problematic?

In English, 'love' can signify different types of affection, such as familial love for one's mother or the fondness for food like pizza. The problem arises when these different types of love are not distinguished, leading to potential misunderstandings.

What is the Hebrew word for 'love' as mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures?

The Hebrew word for 'love' in the context of the Hebrew Scriptures is 'ahavah'.

In which language did Jesus primarily speak and teach, and what is the word for 'love' in that language?

Jesus primarily spoke and taught in Aramaic, and the word for 'love' in Aramaic is 'rakhmah'.

How was Jesus's teachings translated into Greek, and what Greek word was used for 'love'?

Jesus's teachings were translated into Greek using the word 'agape' for 'love'.

How did the early followers of Jesus understand the meaning of 'agape'?

The early followers of Jesus understood the meaning of 'agape' not by looking it up in dictionaries but by examining the teachings and life story of Jesus, which redefined their concept of love.

What command from the Torah did Jesus quote when asked about the most important command in the Jewish Scriptures?

Jesus quoted the command from the 'Shema' prayer in the Torah, which is to 'Love the Lord your God with all of your heart.'

According to Jesus, how are the love for God and love for your neighbor related?

For Jesus, love for God and love for your neighbor are two sides of the same coin, inseparable, and expressed through actions that seek the wellbeing of others.

What does Jesus define as the ultimate standard of authentic love?

Jesus defines the ultimate standard of authentic love as treating the person you can't stand with kindness, loving your enemy, and doing good to them without expecting anything in return.

How did Jesus demonstrate his teachings on love through his life and actions?

Jesus demonstrated his teachings on love by constantly helping and serving people around him, moving towards the poor and hurting, and showing love for those who were often forgotten.

What did Jesus's death represent according to the apostle Paul and John?

According to the apostle Paul, Jesus's death represented God's 'agape' love for us, as he died for us while we were still sinners. The apostle John saw it as God's love revealed through sending his son into the world so that we could have life.

What is the Christian faith's view on the purpose of human existence in relation to God's love?

The Christian faith views the purpose of human existence as receiving the love that has come to us in Jesus and then giving it back out to others, creating an ecosystem of self-giving love focused on others.