“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not LOVE (agape) I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 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 (agape), I AM NOTHING.” (1 Corin. 13:1-2) Please remember with me the first and greatest commandment, A Pharisees, who was an expert in the law, tested Jesus with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love (agapaō) THE LORD YOUR GOD with ALL your heart and with ALL your soul and with ALL your mind.’ This is the FIRST AND GREATEST COMMANDMENT. And the second is like it: ‘LOVE (agapaō) YOUR NEIGHBOR as yourself.’ ALL THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS HANG on these two commandments.” (Matt. 22:34-40)
Agape is a one-way form of love FROM GOD to people. Agape is a noun-form of love whereas Agapao is a verb-form of love. Thus, we can talk about Agape but we have to LIVE OUT AGAPAO. This “hang” business means that all the other commandments must be obeyed based on GOD’S LOVE. “Love suffers long and IS KIND; love does NOT ENVY; love does not PARADE ITSELF, is not PUFFED UP; does not BEHAVE RUDELY, does not SEEK ITS OWN, is not PROVOKED, thinks NO EVIL; does not rejoice IN INIQUITY, but rejoices in THE TRUTH; bears, believes, hopes, and endures ALL THINGS. LOVE 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…And now abide faith, hope, LOVE, these three; but THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE. (1 Corin. 13:4-8, 13)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham