Category:Loving one's neighbor

⮜ Law Functions

28 One of the scribes came and heard them questioning together, and knowing that he had answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the greatest of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The greatest is: ‘Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 You shall love 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. 31 The second is like this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32 The scribe said to him, “Truly, teacher, you have said well that he is one, and there is none other but he; 33 and to love him with all the heart, with all the understanding, all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from God’s Kingdom.” No one dared ask him any question after that. Mark 12:28-34WEB

Jesus did not change the definition of love between the Old and New Testaments (see Matt. 5:17-19). Therefore, God's law in both Testaments teaches us the definition of "love."

Love -- the scriptural category -- is not merely an emotion. It is an evaluation of an action. In scripture, for example, "rebuking your neighbor" is a "loving" thing to do. Physically chastising your child when they sin is a loving act.

Associated Scriptures

Questions

• In what way was Jesus' command in John 13:34 "new"?

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