What is Love? – English Essay
What is love? The definition of love is different to most people. Some may say, “love is blind,” others may say, “love hurts.” The dictionary defines love a certain type of affection. Then again, on a different level,
Paul wrote in 1st Corinthians that, “love is patient, love is kind… love never fails.” This quote comes directly from the Bible, which Christians are told to live by. So who is to say that there is only one definition for love? Not only is love dynamic, but it is always present. Love is what someone believes it to be.
Have you ever heard of the phrase, “love is blind?” Most people have. This must mean that it is a belief of many. Well, what does it mean when someone says, “love is blind?” If love is blind, one may argue to facilitate the meaning that love is eternal, regardless of one’s faults, their lies, and their affairs; that regardless of any negative outcome that love overlooks it. If love is blind it prevails all evil. However, everyone may not agree that, “love is blind.” Another common phrase is that, “love hurts.” Why is it that love has acquired this unpleasant metaphor? Self-experience could be an answer to this question. Most people, at some time in their lives, have been hurt by someone that they love. Is this because they have done something wrong or is it simply human instinct? Humans are full of error and often decide it is easier to give up on love than struggle through the hard times. Therefore, does love hurt or do people hurt? Many would say it is people who hurt because they fail to pursue this love that they have claimed.
Many people turn to the dictionary when they are in need of a definition for a particular word. The Webster’s Dictionary defines love as, “an affection based on admiration, benevolence, or common interest.” Most would agree that love definitely consists of all of these qualities. When one is looking for a mate, they strive to find someone who is, to some extent, like them. It is desired that this person is someone that can be looked up to, and someone who is kind and compassionate. But there is a love much deeper than this.
The Bible says, “ love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:4). Many would argue that love is each and every one of these virtues. However, can a human be so perfect as to possess all of these traits? Rarely is someone so perfect, if ever. This is a love referred to as Agape love, a Godly love. This love is present everyday and is given to all of those who believe in Jesus. This definition of love refers to the way God loves us. It is an example of how we are to mold ourselves and learn to return that love on such an elevated level. Paul also stated, “ if I have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”
Listed above are only some of the beliefs about love. Love is blind; it hurts. Love is an admiration and love is patient and kind. Love is diverse and it is dynamic. Regardless of all of these, and more important than anything, love is what one believes it to be. No common metaphor or dictionary definition can describe what one’s feelings of love are. It is that person alone who has to discover what love truly means.