Love – Dr. Eitan Bar | Bible Scholar https://eitan.bar Eitan Bar is a Theologian & Author Bringing a Jewish Perspective to the Christian Faith Thu, 02 Jan 2025 09:08:37 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://eitan.bar/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/icon-logo-eb-eitan-bar-scaled.webp Love – Dr. Eitan Bar | Bible Scholar https://eitan.bar 32 32 Why the God of the Old Testament Wasn’t as Scary as You Think https://eitan.bar/articles/why-the-god-of-the-old-testament-wasnt-as-scary-as-you-think/ Sat, 06 Jul 2024 08:04:02 +0000 https://eitan.bar/?p=3387 The Old Testament portrayal of God often evokes images of wrath, judgment, and fear. Many people in the modern Western world—where people actually respect social boundaries and rules—find it difficult to reconcile this image with the God of love and grace presented in the New Testament. However, understanding the historical…

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]]> This Is (part of) My Story https://eitan.bar/articles/eitan-bar-testimony-story-part1/ Thu, 04 Jul 2024 09:55:06 +0000 https://eitan.bar/?p=3380 If you have followed me long enough, you have probably noticed two things. First, I emphasize love and grace in a way that really annoys some types of religious people. Second, I have developed the same “Matthew 23 style” of antagonistic chutzpah against religious legalism. This is because, ever since…

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]]> Because He First Loved Us? https://eitan.bar/articles/we-love-because-he-first-loved-us/ Mon, 10 Jun 2024 08:55:42 +0000 https://eitan.bar/?p=3347 According to 1 John 4:19, “We love because God first loved us.” So, if you wait for your enemy to love on you first before you are willing to love on them, and the same goes for them, when will you ever meet? The Gentiles were well aware of the…

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]]> “Love Always Hopes and Perseveres” https://eitan.bar/articles/love-always-hopes-and-perseveres/ Mon, 10 Jun 2024 07:15:28 +0000 https://eitan.bar/?p=3343 Jesus met individuals often viewed by society as irredeemable or beyond help, such as the woman caught in adultery, the tax collector Zacchaeus, or the Samaritan woman at the well. In each encounter, Jesus looked beyond their current situation and envisioned what they could become, instilling hope and offering a…

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]]> “Love Always Trusts” https://eitan.bar/articles/love-always-trusts/ Mon, 10 Jun 2024 07:08:59 +0000 https://eitan.bar/?p=3339 The Greek term translated as “trusts” is “pisteuō,” often used in the New Testament to denote belief or faith. In the context of Paul’s message, this concept emphasizes not a naive or blind trust but a choice to always see at least some potential for good in others and to…

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]]> “Love Always Protects” https://eitan.bar/articles/love-always-protects/ Mon, 10 Jun 2024 06:55:03 +0000 https://eitan.bar/?p=3336 Here, Paul emphasizes love’s protective nature. The Greek word translated as “protects” literally means to cover, suggesting that love provides a protective barrier, holding up under pressures and difficulties and keeping out negative influences that might undermine relationships. Love’s protection means it is willing to suffer for others, regardless of…

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]]> “Love Rejoices With the Truth” https://eitan.bar/articles/love-rejoices-with-the-truth/ Mon, 10 Jun 2024 06:43:17 +0000 https://eitan.bar/?p=3323 From the outset, justice has been a prominent recurring motif. Discussions on justice appear early in the Torah (e.g., Leviticus 19:15) and are also emphasized by the prophets (e.g., Micah 6:8). In the intricate dance of human interactions, love and justice are often seen as partners whose steps occasionally misalign.…

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]]> “Love Does Not Delight in Evil” https://eitan.bar/articles/love-does-not-delight-in-evil/ Mon, 10 Jun 2024 06:26:36 +0000 https://eitan.bar/?p=3320 To delight in evil—or schadenfreude—is the pleasure of seeing others fall, sin, suffer, or get in trouble. In the original context of Paul’s writing, this message would have resonated deeply in a community like Corinth, where social and moral discord has tempted some to find satisfaction in the failures of…

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]]> “Love Does Not Keep a Record of Wrongs” https://eitan.bar/articles/love-does-not-keep-a-record-of-wrongs/ Mon, 10 Jun 2024 06:19:18 +0000 https://eitan.bar/?p=3317 Gossip and “keeping a record of wrongs” are closely intertwined, reflecting a failure to grasp the grace of God fully. When people gossip, they often do so from a place of insecurity and fear. This is particularly prevalent among religious individuals who are constantly anxious about their afterlife and their…

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]]> “Love Is Not Selfish and Is Not Provoked” https://eitan.bar/articles/love-selfish-provoked-corinthians/ Mon, 10 Jun 2024 06:09:21 +0000 https://eitan.bar/?p=3301 This directive challenges the natural human inclination towards selfishness, self-preservation, and self-promotion, urging a shift towards altruism and collective well-being. Jesus reminded us to “seek first his kingdom” (Matthew 6:33), suggesting a hierarchy of priorities. Just as our bodies urgently signal hunger or thirst, we should feel an intense spiritual…

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]]> “Love Does Not Act Rudely” https://eitan.bar/articles/love-does-not-act-rudely-a-short-commentary-on-1-corinthians-135a/ Wed, 05 Jun 2024 14:38:38 +0000 https://eitan.bar/?p=3298 Rudeness, often characterized by abrupt, harsh, or unconsidered behaviors, disrupts the fabric of community and personal relationships. It reflects a disregard for the feelings of others, operating against the grain of social harmony and mutual respect. In this verse’s original context, Paul addresses a community riddled with conflicts, boasting, and…

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]]> “Love Is Not Envious, Boastful, or Prideful” https://eitan.bar/articles/love-is-not-envious-boastful-or-prideful-1-corinthians-13-4/ Wed, 05 Jun 2024 14:02:21 +0000 https://eitan.bar/?p=3293 A Short Commentary On 1 Corinthians 13:4 [c-e]

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]]> “Love Is Kind” https://eitan.bar/articles/love-is-kind-1-corinthians-13-4/ Wed, 05 Jun 2024 13:23:11 +0000 https://eitan.bar/?p=3290 Kindness is the act of showing compassion, generosity, and consideration towards others, often involving selfless actions and a genuine concern for their well-being. It encompasses gestures of goodwill, such as offering help, expressing empathy, and treating people with respect and understanding. At its core, kindness reflects an inner attitude of…

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]]> “Love Is Patient” https://eitan.bar/articles/love-is-patient-1-corinthians-13-4/ Wed, 05 Jun 2024 13:12:56 +0000 https://eitan.bar/?p=3287 The Hebrew Bible frequently discusses the theme of patience, particularly highlighting God’s forbearance with Israel (e.g., Exodus 34:6; Proverbs 19:11; Hosea 3:1; Psalm 103:8). The Hebrew word for patience is conceptualized in two primary ways. The first uses the imagery of a “long nose,” suggesting that it takes a longer…

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]]> “If I Am Magnificent But Have Not Love” https://eitan.bar/articles/1-corinthians-13-1-3-commentary/ Wed, 05 Jun 2024 12:57:23 +0000 https://eitan.bar/?p=3282 The deeper our understanding of God’s love as expressed through Christ, the more effectively we can love others. Indeed, before we can extend love outwardly, we must first internalize and experience it. In chapter 13, Paul anchors his definition of love on the perfect embodiment and demonstration of love: the…

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]]> Love as Evidence of God’s Existence https://eitan.bar/articles/sacrificial-love-prove-the-existence-of-god/ Mon, 03 Jun 2024 14:16:06 +0000 https://eitan.bar/?p=3272 Does the universal regard for sacrificial love as the highest moral value suggest the existence of God? Love, a concept often portrayed through various art forms, including literature, songs, and films, presents a compelling argument for the existence of the God of Christianity. I believe the universality of sacrificial love…

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]]> The Meaning of “Love Your Enemies” (Matthew 5:43)? https://eitan.bar/articles/love-your-enemies-matthew-5-43/ Mon, 15 Apr 2024 11:35:22 +0000 https://eitan.bar/?p=3021 You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on…

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]]> What Was So Radical About Jesus’s Teaching About Love? https://eitan.bar/articles/love-thy-enemies/ Sun, 07 May 2023 14:40:40 +0000 https://eitan.bar/?p=1869 The Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" (Matthew 7:12), is a principle found in various forms across different cultures and religious traditions.
In light of this, what makes Jesus's teach about love so radical?

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]]> What is Love: A Logical Exploration https://eitan.bar/articles/biblical-love/ https://eitan.bar/articles/biblical-love/#respond Tue, 11 Apr 2023 14:31:10 +0000 https://eitan.bar/?p=1483 Biblical love encompasses closeness, free will, and sacrifice, reflecting the depth of God's affection for humanity. It embodies selflessness, patience, and kindness, fostering true connection and unity. Embracing biblical love empowers individuals to make choices that honor relationships and promote growth, ultimately reflecting divine love in our lives.

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