'Love' in the Bible

For I wrote to you out of great distress and with an anguished heart, and with many tears, not to cause you sorrow but to make you realize the [overflowing] love which I have especially for you.

Therefore I urge you to reinstate him in your affections and reaffirm your love for him.

For the love of Christ controls and compels us, because we have concluded this, that One died for all, therefore all died;

in purity and sincerity, in knowledge and spiritual insight, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love,

But just as you excel in everything, [and lead the way] in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in genuine concern, and in your love for us, see that you excel in this gracious work [of giving] also.

I am not saying this as a command [to dictate to you], but to prove, by [pointing out] the enthusiasm of others, the sincerity of your love as well.

Therefore, show these men, in the sight of the churches, the proof of your love and our reason for being proud of you.

Why? Because I do not love you [or wish you well, or have regard for your welfare]? God knows [that I do]!

But I will very gladly spend [my own resources] and be utterly spent for your souls. If I love you greatly, am I to be loved less [by you]?

Finally, believers, rejoice! Be made complete [be what you should be], be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace [enjoy the spiritual well-being experienced by believers who walk closely with God]; and the God of love and peace [the source of lovingkindness] will be with you.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.