Pursue Love  (1 Corinthians 14:1)

From the book “Quiet Times for Couples”  by H. Norman Wright

 

One of the most overused, misunderstood and misused words in the English language is the word “love”. You may love your work, love your dog, love to eat, and love your spouse. But hopefully love means something different to you each in your settings! When Paul instructs us to “pursue love” he implies a strenuous activity. Let’s consider two words which are used in the Bible to help us understand the kind of love God wants couples to pursue.

 

Did you know that the first word used to describe marital love is not translated in the Bible? The word is epithumia, which refers to a strong desire of any kind. It means to set your heart on something. You can set your heart on a bigger house, a flashier car or a better job. Some desires are good, others are not. Whenever epithumia is used in the bible in a negative way, it is translated lust. But in a marriage relationship it refers to a strong physical desire for a husband or wife. Have you thanked God for the desire He has placed within you for your partner?

 

Your God-given epithumia for your partner may be stronger at times than other times. Perhaps you are like many husbands and wives who must learn to channel their own desires in order to synchronize with their partner’s desires.

 

Another word for love is “eros”. Eros describes someone who is strongly affected by sexual desire. Eros can be controlled and positive, as in a marriage relationship, or uncontrolled and negative, as in an extra-marital affair. The word is not used in the New Testament, but its Hebrew counterpart is found in the Old Testament. When you finish this meditation, turn to the Song of Solomon and read some of its passages to one another. Many married couples have experienced enjoyable moments pursuing the beauty of erotic love in this book from the word of God.