Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  8000 The life of the believer  »  8200 The character of the believer  »  8292 love  »  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

Colossians 3:18-19 See also Genesis 2:24; Deuteronomy 24:5; Proverbs 5:18-20; Ecclesiastes 9:9; Ephesians 5:22,28,33; 1 Peter 3:7

It is patterned on God's love for his people

Isaiah 54:5; Ephesians 5:25-27 See also Isaiah 62:5; Jeremiah 3:14; Ezekiel 16:8; Hosea 2:19; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 19:7

The power of human love

Songs 8:6-7 See also Genesis 29:20,30; Proverbs 6:34-35

Examples of love in courtship and marriage

Genesis 24:67 Isaac and Rebekah; Genesis 29:18 Jacob and Rachel; Judges 16:4 Samson and Delilah; 1 Samuel 1:5 Elkanah and Hannah; Esther 2:17 Xerxes and Esther; Songs 1:2; Songs 4:10; Hosea 3:1; Matthew 1:19 Joseph and Mary

Safeguards on human love

Sexual immorality is condemned

1 Corinthians 7:2 See also Leviticus 18:22 homosexual acts forbidden; Leviticus 19:29 prostitution forbidden; Deuteronomy 23:17-18; Matthew 5:32; Acts 15:29; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 5:1; Corinthians 6:18; Corinthians 10:8; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3

Adultery is condemned

Exodus 20:14 See also Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 5:18; Proverbs 6:24; 1 Corinthians 6:9; Hebrews 13:4

Restrictions on divorce

Matthew 19:9 See also Malachi 2:16; Matthew 5:32; Mark 10:11-12; Luke 16:18; 1 Corinthians 7:10-11

Lust is condemned

Matthew 5:28 See also Job 31:1; Proverbs 6:25; 1 Corinthians 7:9; Ephesians 4:19; 1 Thessalonians 4:5

Polygamy is forbidden

1 Timothy 3:2 See also Deuteronomy 17:17; Malachi 2:15; 1 Timothy 3:12; Titus 1:6

See also

5659  bride
5675  divorce
5680  family
5702  husband
5708  marriage
5732  polygamy
5744  wife
5898  kissing
6236  sexual sin
8252  faithfulness, relationships
8777  lust