8299 love, in relationships

Human love is ennobled by being patterned on God’s love for his people. It is also safeguarded by God’s commands.

The love between husband and wife

Conjugal love is commanded Col 3:18-19 See also Ge 2:24; Dt 24:5; Pr 5:18-20; Ecc 9:9; Eph 5:22,28,33; 1Pe 3:7

It is patterned on God’s love for his people Isa 54:5; Eph 5:25-27 See also Isa 62:5; Jer 3:14; Eze 16:8; Hos 2:19; 2Co 11:2; Rev 19:7

The power of human love

SS 8:6-7 See also Ge 29:20,30; Pr 6:34-35

Examples of love in courtship and marriage

Ge 24:67 Isaac and Rebekah; Ge 29:18 Jacob and Rachel; Jdg 16:4 Samson and Delilah; 1Sa 1:5 Elkanah and Hannah; Est 2:17 Xerxes and Esther; SS 1:2; SS 4:10; Hos 3:1; Mt 1:19 Joseph and Mary

Safeguards on human love

Sexual immorality is condemned 1Co 7:2 See also Lev 18:22 homosexual acts forbidden; Lev 19:29 prostitution forbidden; Dt 23:17-18; Mt 5:32; Ac 15:29; Ro 1:26-27; 1Co 5:1; 1Co 6:18; 1Co 10:8; Eph 5:3; Col 3:5; 1Th 4:3

Adultery is condemned Ex 20:14 See also Lev 20:10; Dt 5:18; Pr 6:24; 1Co 6:9; Heb 13:4

Restrictions on divorce Mt 19:9 See also Mal 2:16; Mt 5:32; Mk 10:11-12; Lk 16:18; 1Co 7:10-11

Lust is condemned Mt 5:28 See also Job 31:1; Pr 6:25; 1Co 7:9; Eph 4:19; 1Th 4:5

Polygamy is forbidden 1Ti 3:2 See also Dt 17:17; Mal 2:15; 1Ti 3:12; Tit 1:6

See also