Love is a Verb

In Malachi, God tells His people, "I have loved you" (Mal 1:2). Very moving. Very serious. Very interesting. The verb tense for this word, "loved," is an ongoing verb tense, like, "I have been loving you." It's not, "I loved you at some point." It's an ongoing process. But ... what process?

The Hebrew version of "love" in the Old Testament is not the modern version. It's not "warm affection." It's more of a verb, as in an expression of action. It is something that is done, not merely elt. It expresses itself in giving. Interestingly, in the Hebrew world it was most associated with covenant. In ancient Hebrew culture, love was an action-oriented commitment, deeply intertwined with covenantal relationships, expressed through faithfulness and sacrifice. It included heart, mind, and actions. We see that, for instance, in the Shema (Deut 6:4-9). Love YHWH your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might."

In the Malachi text, then, God was telling His people that He was loving them, and not in a merely emotional way. We see the same thing in the classic John 3:16. You can probably quote it, but be careful. When it says, "God so loved the world," it's not talking about a quantity, but a quality. "God loved the world this way." Or, "This is how God expresses love." "This is what God's love looks like." What? He didn't feel; He gave. He acted. We, too, are called to love ... like that. Emotional affection is fine, but real love is something we do (John 13:34-35) ... like He did. And does.