Lovingkindness

6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. —Exodus 20:6

God's Love For His People

In the Old Testament the verb "to love" (Hebrew ahab) and its related words cover the full range of meanings the English word “love” has, including love for God (Exodus 20:6; Psalms 40:16) and the love God has for His people (Deuteronomy 7:13; Hosea 3:1). The Old Testament also uses the Hebrew word chesed specifically for the covenant love the Lord has for His people, referring to His steadfastness or loyalty.

In the New Testament the primary Greek verbs expressing the concept of love are agapao, loving as an act of will, and phileo, loving as a response to a person or object. In the synoptic Gospels, one notes that the primary use of the word "love" is with regard to the great commandment (Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34; Luke 10:26-28). Love is a possibly only because the believer has responded in faith to God's saving act in the death and resurrection of Christ (Romans 5:8; see Galatians 2:20).

Love Is Both An Attribute Of God And An Essential Part Of His Nature

Lovingkindness is another term used throughout the Old Testament to refer to the loyal esteem and favor God has toward His covenant people. In the New testament the two main terms used for love refer to the positive regard God has for His Son and His people, and to the affection of brothers and friends toward each other.

Love (Major Old Testament Verses)

• God's love described as and seen in being:
  • sovereign (Deuteronomy 7:8; Deuteronomy 10:15);
  • assuring (Zephaniah 3:17);
  • unfailing (Isaiah 49:15-16);
  • everlasting (Jeremiah 31:3);
  • irrespective of merit (Deuteronomy 7:7; Job 7:17);
  • by election (Malachi 1:2-3);
  • by redemption (Isaiah 43:3-4; Isaiah 63:9);
  • by forgiving sin (Isaiah 38:17):
  • by drawing us to Himself (Hosea 11:4);
  • by temporal blessings (Deuteronomy 7:13).

Love (Major New Testament Verses)

• God's love a part of His character (2 Corinthians 13:11; 1 John 4:8);
• Christ, the special object of (John 15:9; John 17:26);
• Christ abides in (John 15:10);
• God’s love manifested toward:
  • perishing sinners (John 3:16; Titus 3:4);
  • His saints (John 16:27; John 17:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:16);
  • shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5);
  • saints know and believe (1 John 4:16);
  • saints should abide in (Jude 1:21).