Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - GOD & LOVE

 

GOD & LOVE

One of the most profound statements in the Bible is the one that states:

He who does not love does not know God, 

for God is love. 

(1 John 4:8)

Now we often read the Bible without considering the change in meaning and context that occurs when one word can be exchanged for another. When we read about love in Scripture, it is often as it may be between persons and not as it may be with God. So, let us take a portion of Scripture and substitute God for where love appears in the script. It does make a difference in meaning.

Let’s take 1 Corinthians chapter 13 and see what difference the change makes.

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not [God],

I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understanding all mysteries 

and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, 

but have not [God], I am nothing.

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, 

and though I give my body to be burned, 

but have not [God], it profits me nothing.

[God] suffers long and is kind; [God] does not envy; 

[God] does not parade Himself, is not puffed up;

does not behave rudely, does not seek [His] own, 

is not provoked, thinks no evil; 

does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;

bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

[God] 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.

For we know in part and we prophecy in part.

But when that which is perfect has come, 

then that which is in part will be done away.

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, 

I understood as a child, I thought as a child; 

but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. 

Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

And now abide faith, hope, [God], these three; but the greatest of these is [God].

Substituting God for where love normally is in the chapter gives a similar meaning as the original but in an entirely different context. It does give much more of the impression that truly… 

…God is love.

(1 John 4:8)

And that is something we all should continually be thinking about.