We could have all knowledge and wisdom, but if
they were not used they would amount to nothing. We could have one
or many talents, but if not used they too would amount to nothing.
Love, as taught in Scripture, empowers and motivates the others.
One chapter of the New Testament is known as the
"Love chapter."
Below is a brief look at a much used (and perhaps
abused) word - "love"
The American Heritage Dictionary might offer the
following (with under lines suggesting
a meaning that is probably most relavent to our use
in studing the Scriptures.
Red underlined means you may click for more info.)
"love" from Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
love (noun) 1. A deep, tender, ineffable feeling of affection and
solicitude toward a person, such as that arising from kinship,
recognition of attractive qualities, or a sense of underlying oneness. 2. A feeling of intense desire and attraction toward
a person with whom one is disposed to make a pair; the emotion of sex and
romance.
3.a. Sexual passion. b. Sexual intercourse. c. A love
affair.
4. An intense emotional attachment, as for a pet or treasured
object.
5. A person who is the object of deep or intense affection
or attraction; beloved. Often used as a term of endearment.
6. An expression of one's affection. 7.a. A strong predilection or enthusiasm. b. The object
of such an enthusiasm.
8. Love. Mythology. Eros or Cupid.
9. Often Love. Theology. Charity. 10. Love. Christian Science. God.
11. Sports. A zero score in tennis.
—love (verb) loved, loving, loves.
—tr.
1. To have a deep, tender, ineffable feeling of affection
and solicitude toward (a person).
2. To have a feeling of intense desire and attraction
toward (a person).
3. To have an intense emotional attachment to. 4.a. To embrace or caress. b. To have sexual intercourse
with.
5. To like or desire enthusiastically.
6. Theology. To have charity for. 7. To thrive on; need.
—intr.
To experience deep affection or intense desire for another.
—idioms.
for love. Out of compassion;
with no thought for a reward. for love or money.
Under any circumstances. Usually used in negative sentences.
for the love of.
For the sake of; in consideration for.
no love lost.
No affection; animosity.
