CAN WE COMMAND LOVE?

CAN WE COMMAND LOVE?

Welcome to another study from God’s Word.
WE often hear people in our world today say that love cannot be commanded. Is this a true statement? Can we command love? The answer is yes; The answer is No. It is simply a matter of what kind of love you are talking about.

In the New Testament we find two main words for love in the Greek language; 'agapao' and 'phileo' (both are verbs, or words requiring action). 'Agapao' becomes a noun in the well-known word, 'AGAPÉ'. On the other hand, we find no noun for phileo love (it is interesting that noun spin-offs of phileo are seen in words translated "friend" and "kiss").
Agapao (AGAPÉ) love involves the intellect and the will; it involves esteem and purpose; it involves choice. However, phileo love is the love of natural inclination; it is more instinctive; it is the love of emotion. It is spontaneous; it is involuntary; it just seems to happen due to personalities and interests.

Therefore, 'agapao' love (involving the intellect and the will) can be commanded, and it is commanded (as in the great commandment, loving our enemies, and elsewhere throughout the New Testament). But when it comes to phileo love, in its basic inherent meaning, it is not commanded (except indirectly). It is more of a natural and spontaneous response; it just happens.
We are to love (agapao) our enemies, but it is hard to be emotional, initially, about it (phileo). We can have high esteem (agapao) for them (in the sense of respecting God’s image in them and wishing them well, and praying for them as well) and, at the same time, not even 'like' (phileo) them (it would be hard to be emotional about it in the beginning).

Can love be commanded? Yes; and No. I believe that no matter which love ((AGAPÉ or Phileo) we have first for an individual, they should both lead to the other and ultimately to a deeper relationship with God and Christ.
God bless until our next time together.......