For the Love of God

A month of word studies on "love" and how many might misunderstand or misrepresent God's love throughout Scripture

February is what some churches or ministry groups refer to as “love month” and I thought it would be a great time to pursue the word studies that I’ve been, well—resisting. Love is a challenging word and concept, and it seems to be the root of what’s tearing the church apart before our eyes.

As I’ve been reading through the Old Testament, I’ve been taken aback by the power of God’s lovingkindness and how people remember and reflect on His great mercy and love. I’ve been trying to imagine what it must have been like for them—they didn’t know God’s full plan yet, they hadn’t met Jesus, and they had nothing to go off of except for their experiences with God or trusting the experience of their prophets and priests, yet they saw God’s love on full display.

Interestingly, we often deem God’s character in the OT as wrathful, but the testimonies we have say otherwise. Rather, they point constantly to His incredible lovingkindness.

During February, I figured we’d relish in the love of God. It is a complicated word with many different uses and meanings—the love of God for us, our love toward each other, and our love for God.

While the word “love” is mentioned (in English) over 348 times in the Bible, it is nowhere near the most commonly used word in Scripture overall, not even in the book of Psalms or John where you might expect it most. I don’t think that’s to say that love is not a vital part of the character and standard of God. Rather we must see that God reveals the definition of love throughout the entirety of Scripture through His presence, His people, and His character.

The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.
Psalm 103:8 (NASB1995)

The Word: Lovingkindness

In the Old Testament, cheçed is used 248 times. This is not included in the word “love” as far as how many times it’s used in the Bible, because it’s a bit of a different word altogether, but I believe it’s the root of understanding the meaning of love as used elsewhere. It is translated as mercy (149x), kindness (40x), and lovingkindness (30x).

Strong’s H2617 | cheçed (kheh'-sed)

• grace, mercy, faithfulness, devotion

• steadfast love

• covenantal and generous (of law and love)

• often in reference to marital love

There are three basic meanings tied into this word: strength, steadfastness, and love. The idea behind this word is a relational covenant bound by law and standards, but exceeding those standards because of the generosity and compassion involved. For instance, in marriage, it constitutes the idea that the relationship is legally binding and therefore held to standards, but if the relationship is truly sound, it far transcends legalities.¹

Cheçed is specifically in relation to a covenant—not simple care for all creatures but unique devotion to those whom put their faith in a covenant relationship with God.

“The entire history of Yawheh’s covenantal relationship with Israel can be summarized in the terms of cheçed.”²

A covenant is a two-way agreement. Throughout our history with God, we come to understand the strength and superiority of God’s love for us.

Even in a covenantal relationship that requires our commitment, faithfulness, mercy, and love, God’s love far exceeds the requirements of the law. God’s lovingkindness covers us even when we’re unfaithful.

This word, cheçed, is often paired with other words in Scripture to help define its poignancy. For instance, it is often paired with ʼemeth which means stability, truth, trustworthiness, or faithfulness.

\You, O Lord, will not withhold Your compassion from me;
Your lovingkindness and Your truth will continually preserve me.
Psalm 40:11 (NASB 1995)

We (modern humans generally) throw around the word “love” in ways that might not even all mean the same thing. I love bananas but in a very different way than I love my husband, and I love my husband differently than I love my job, family, friends, etc.

As you can see in God’s dictionary, a cheçed kind of love is something that can only truly be defined with God in the midst—a love that makes no sense, that forgives when no personal debt has been paid, a mercy when punishment is due, a covenantal faithfulness regardless of disloyalty.

And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Eight other Hebrew words are translated as love in the Old Testament and eight Greek words are translated as love in the New Testament. We’re going to take a deeper dive into all of them in the coming 3 weeks.

In love and truth,
Stephanie LaPreal Yttrup

• Want more word studies from The Word of God? Click here to access previous posts.

• Missed last week’s Truth Balm about the spiritual practice of asking questions? Catch up here.

1. Strong, James. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. Page 93

2. Strong, James. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. Page 93