Topical Encyclopedia
The term "lovingly" is not directly found in the Bible; however, the concept is deeply embedded in the Scriptures, reflecting the nature of God's interactions with humanity and the expected conduct among believers. The Bible presents love as a fundamental attribute of God and a central tenet of Christian life.
God's Loving NatureThe Bible consistently portrays God as loving and compassionate. In 1
John 4:8, it is stated, "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." This verse underscores the essence of God's character, which is inherently loving. God's love is demonstrated through His actions, such as the creation of the world, His covenant with Israel, and most profoundly, the sending of His Son, Jesus Christ, for the salvation of humanity.
John 3:16 declares, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Jesus' Example of LoveJesus Christ exemplified love in His earthly ministry, teaching and demonstrating what it means to act lovingly. In
John 13:34-35 , Jesus commands His disciples, "A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another." Jesus' life was marked by acts of compassion, healing, and forgiveness, setting a standard for His followers to emulate.
The Call to Love OthersBelievers are called to love others as a reflection of God's love for them. The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, frequently emphasizes the importance of love in the Christian community. In
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 , Paul describes love as patient, kind, and devoid of envy or pride. He writes, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
Practical Expressions of LoveThe Bible encourages believers to express love in practical ways. In
James 2:15-16 , the importance of action accompanying love is highlighted: "Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you tells them, 'Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,' but does not provide for their physical needs, what good is that?" This passage emphasizes that love must be demonstrated through tangible acts of kindness and generosity.
Love as Fulfillment of the LawThe Apostle Paul also teaches that love is the fulfillment of the law. In
Romans 13:9-10 , he writes, "The commandments, 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not covet,' and any other commandment, are summed up in this one decree: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." This encapsulates the idea that living lovingly is at the heart of Christian ethics and morality.
ConclusionWhile the word "lovingly" may not appear explicitly in the Bible, the concept is woven throughout the Scriptures, calling believers to reflect God's love in their interactions with others. Through the example of Jesus and the teachings of the apostles, Christians are encouraged to live lives marked by love, compassion, and selflessness, embodying the love of God in a tangible and transformative way.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
adv.) With love; affectionately.
Strong's Hebrew
160. ahabah -- love (noun)... Word Origin from aheb Definition love (noun) NASB Word Usage love (28), lovesick*
(2),
lovingly (1). love. Feminine of 'ahab and meaning the same -- love.
...Library
How we OughtLovingly to Receive God.
... How We OughtLovingly To Receive God.... My reason will needs do honour to its Lord,
but my heart desires to love its only good, andlovingly to embrace it....
That Every Divine Illumination, Whilst Going ForthLovingly to the...
... CAPUT I. That every divine illumination, whilst going forthlovingly to the objects
of its forethought under various forms, remains simplex. Nor is this all....
How we Should Learn to Die, and of the Nature of an Unprovided
... Eternal Wisdom."I will teach thee to die and will teach thee to live. I will teach
thee to receive Melovingly, and will teach thee to praise Melovingly....
On Tuesday, or at Tierce.
... back leant uneasily against the hard wood; 3. Thy heavy frame painfully gave way;
4. All Thy limbs were covered with sores; 5. Thy heart endured itlovingly....
Quartus a Brother
... of Paul's letters. And yet there are plenty of lessons in them, if anybody
will look at themlovingly and carefully. There does...
The Service Common to Two or More Monks.
... light. Remember those wholovingly bless you on earth and celebrate your
holy festival. [Glory ...Both now ...the Theotokion: My...
The Service Common to the Festivals of the Holy virgin.
... With divine workings dost Thou preserve and shelter from incursions of the enemy
those thatlovingly celebrate Thine all-glorious (name of the event) and call...
The General Service to Two or Many Hieromartyrs.
... What have the ungrateful people rendered unto Thee for all the good Thou hast done
unto them, and Thou dost mostlovingly take care of my childlessness ?...
The General Service to a Monk-Martyr.
... Beholding our Life hung on the tree, thou, O all-spotless Theotokos, motherly bewailing
didst cry out: O my Son and my God, save those thatlovingly hymn Thee....
The General Service to one Hierarch.
... found thine abode wherein the Never-setting Light doth shine; wherefore, honourably
celebrating thy divine and light-bearing memory, welovingly venerate thee...
Thesaurus
Lovingly (7 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Lovingly (7 Occurrences). Mark 10:16 Then He took them
in His arms and blessed them
lovingly, one by one, laying His hands upon them.
...Loving-kindnesses (8 Occurrences)
Loving-kindnesses. Lovingkindnesses, Loving-kindnesses.Lovingly . Multi-Version
Concordance... Lovingkindnesses, Loving-kindnesses.Lovingly . Reference
Yielding (19 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 5:2 And live and actlovingly, as Christ also loved you and gave Himself
up to death on our behalf as an offering and sacrifice to God, yielding a...
Union (24 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 4:15 But we shalllovingly hold to the truth, and shall in all respects
grow up into union with Him who is our Head, even Christ. (WEY)....
Unselfishness (1 Occurrence)
... Ephesians 4:2 with all lowliness of mind and unselfishness, and with patience, bearing
with one anotherlovingly, and earnestly striving to maintain, (WEY)....
Odor (46 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 5:2 And live and actlovingly, as Christ also loved you and gave Himself
up to death on our behalf as an offering and sacrifice to God, yielding a...
Lamentation (45 Occurrences)
... (KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Acts 20:37 and with loud lamentation they all
threw their arms round his neck, and kissed himlovingly, (WEY)....
Fragrant (30 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 5:2 And live and actlovingly, as Christ also loved you and gave Himself
up to death on our behalf as an offering and sacrifice to God, yielding a...
Respects (13 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Ephesians 4:15 But we shalllovingly hold to the truth, and shall in all
respects grow up into union with Him who is our Head, even Christ. (WEY)....
Maintain (50 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 4:2 with all lowliness of mind and unselfishness, and with patience, bearing
with one anotherlovingly, and earnestly striving to maintain, (WEY)....
Resources
Does God punish us when we sin? | GotQuestions.orgHow should conflict in the church be handled? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I see the hand of God moving in my life? | GotQuestions.orgLovingly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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