Topical Encyclopedia
TruthIn the biblical context, truth is a fundamental attribute of God and a central theme throughout Scripture. The Bible presents truth as absolute, unchanging, and divinely revealed. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for truth, "emet," conveys notions of firmness, stability, and faithfulness. God is described as a God of truth, as seen in
Deuteronomy 32:4: "He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He."
The New Testament further emphasizes truth through the person and work of Jesus Christ. In
John 14:6, Jesus declares, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." This statement underscores the belief that truth is not merely a concept but is embodied in the person of Christ. The Holy Spirit is also referred to as the "Spirit of truth" (
John 16:13), guiding believers into all truth.
Truth in the Christian life involves both belief and practice. Believers are called to live in truth, as seen in
Ephesians 4:25: "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body." The pursuit of truth is integral to the Christian faith, as it aligns believers with God's character and purposes.
LoveLove is a central tenet of the Christian faith, intricately connected with the nature of God and the life of a believer. The Bible describes God as love in 1
John 4:8: "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." This divine love, or "agape" in Greek, is selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional.
The greatest commandment, as stated by Jesus, is to love God and love one's neighbor. In
Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus says, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" This dual commandment encapsulates the essence of the Law and the Prophets.
The New Testament further elaborates on love through the teachings of the apostles. In
1 Corinthians 13, often referred to as the "Love Chapter," the Apostle Paul describes love as patient, kind, and enduring. He emphasizes that love is the greatest of all virtues, surpassing even faith and hope (
1 Corinthians 13:13).
Love is also a mark of true discipleship. Jesus states in
John 13:34-35, "A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another." This love is to be evident in the community of believers, reflecting the love of Christ to the world.
The interplay between truth and love is crucial in the Christian life.
Ephesians 4:15 encourages believers to speak "the truth in love," highlighting the balance between maintaining doctrinal integrity and expressing compassion. Truth and love together form the foundation of a life that honors God and serves others, as believers are called to uphold truth while demonstrating love in all their interactions.