Ultimate Love: Supernatural Completion - Study Notes
Verses and Word Study Only - Short Version
FOUNDATION VERSES
John 15:1-16 (AMPC)
"I AM the True Vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit. You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the word which I have given you [the teachings I have discussed with you]. Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in (are vitally united to) Me. I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing... You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed you [I have planted you], that you might go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit may be lasting [that it may remain, abide], so that whatever you ask the Father in My Name [as presenting all that I AM], He may give it to you."
Core Truth:
Divine love flows as supernatural fruit from abiding relationship with Christ as the True Vine. Love character emerges from divine nature, not human moral development.
GREEK/HEBREW WORD ANALYSIS
1. ἀληθινὸς (alethinos /al-ay-thee-NOHS/ - Strong's #G228)
Definition: Genuine, real, authentic - distinguishing from mere copy or shadow
Biblical Usage: Used 28 times in NT to establish exclusive authenticity and eliminate competing claims
Theological Significance: Christ claims monopoly on genuine character development, exposing all human moral programs as counterfeit sources
2. ἄμπελος (ampelos /AM-pel-ohs/ - Strong's #G288)
Definition: Grapevine, the source of life and fruit production
Biblical Usage: Used 9 times in NT, 8 times by Jesus to establish source-dependent relationship
Theological Significance: Establishes Christ as the exclusive life source for authentic character development through vital connection
3. κλῆμα (klema /KLAY-mah/ - Strong's #G2814)
Definition: Fruit-bearing shoot that emerges from main vine, distinct from non-productive suckers
Biblical Usage: Distinguishes productive branches from non-fruit-bearing religious adherents
Theological Significance: Reveals two categories of professing believers - those producing authentic character fruit versus those with false connection
4. μένω (meno /MEN-oh/ - Strong's #G3306)
Definition: Abide, remain, dwell - indicating permanent residence and continuous relationship
Biblical Usage: Used 40 times in John's Gospel building complete theological framework for character development
Theological Significance: Establishes character transformation through permanent relationship union, not temporary religious experience
SUPPORTING SCRIPTURES
Category 1: Divine Love Source and Initiative
1 John 4:7-8 (AMPC)
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is (springs) from God; and he who loves [his fellowmen] is begotten (born) of God and is coming [progressively] to know and understand God [to perceive and recognize and get a better and clearer knowledge of Him]. He who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love."
Wisdom Treat: Love as God's essential nature (not mere attribute) makes authentic love expression proof of divine connection and spiritual birth.
1 John 4:19 (AMPC)
"We love Him, because He first loved us."
Wisdom Treat: The causal relationship (ὅτι /HOH-tee/) establishes all authentic love as response to God's love initiative, eliminating human love generation as the source.
Deuteronomy 7:7-8 (AMPC)
"The Lord did not set His love upon you and choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But because the Lord loves you and because He would keep the oath which He had sworn to your fathers, the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt."
Wisdom Treat: Divine love originates from God's character, not human worthiness, establishing love as flowing from internal divine nature rather than external performance.
Category 2: Love's Sacrificial Demonstration
Romans 5:8 (AMPC)
"But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us."
Wisdom Treat: The verb συνίστησιν (synistēsin /soon-iss-TAY-seen/) demonstrates conclusively establishes the cross as irrefutable evidence of divine love's character and independence from human merit.
John 3:16 (AMPC)
"For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life."
Wisdom Treat: Divine love's ultimate expression through sacrificial giving establishes the pattern for believer love development through abiding relationship.
1 John 3:1 (AMPC)
"See what [an incredible] quality of love the Father has given (shown, bestowed on) us, that we should [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are! The reason that the world does not know (recognize, acknowledge) us is that it does not know (recognize, acknowledge) Him."
Wisdom Treat: The word ποταπὴν (potapēn /poh-tah-PAYN/) indicates divine love operates on completely different level from human affection, becoming believers' nature through spiritual birth.
Category 3: Love's Security and Permanence
Romans 8:38-39 (AMPC)
"For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Wisdom Treat: Paul's comprehensive catalog covers every possible threat to divine love connection, establishing absolute security as foundation for fearless love expression.
1 Corinthians 13:8 (AMPC)
"Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. As for prophecy (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth]."
Wisdom Treat: Love's permanence establishes it as supreme character quality, creating eternal spiritual value while temporal gifts prove temporary.
Song of Solomon 8:6-7 (AMPC)
"Set me like a seal upon your heart, like a seal upon your arm; for love is as strong as death, jealousy is as hard and cruel as Sheol (the place of the dead). Its flashes are flashes of fire, a most vehement flame [the very flame of the Lord]! Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man would offer all the goods of his house for love, he would be utterly scorned and despised."
Wisdom Treat: Divine love possesses death-conquering power, providing believers access to invincible spiritual force through abiding relationship.
Category 4: Love's Practical Expression and Command
John 13:34-35 (AMPC)
"I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another. By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves]."
Wisdom Treat: Love serves as Christianity's identification badge, proving authentic discipleship through supernatural expression rather than doctrinal knowledge.
1 Peter 4:8 (AMPC)
"Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others]."
Wisdom Treat: Divine love covers sin through forgiveness, demonstrating supernatural response flowing only from abiding relationship with Christ as source.
1 John 4:18 (AMPC)
"There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love's complete perfection]."
Wisdom Treat: Perfect love (τελεία ἀγάπη /tel-I-ah ah-GAH-pay/) eliminates fear through divine nature maturity, with fear indicating incomplete love development in abiding relationship.
BIBLE MASTERY
Primary Principle:
Divine love emerges as God's nature expressing through human personality, fundamentally distinct from human emotional improvement or moral character development. This transforms love from performance-based achievement to supernatural fruit flowing from vital spiritual relationship with Christ as the True Vine.
Supporting Framework:
The agricultural metaphor establishes believers as fruit-bearing branches designed for love production through abiding relationship. Character development occurs through divine nature replacement of human nature, not moral improvement programs. All cross-references demonstrate love's divine origin, sacrificial demonstration, eternal security, and practical expression as evidence of authentic spiritual transformation.
Practical Understanding:
Believers receive divine love nature through spiritual birth and maintain love expression through continuous abiding relationship. Love character proves authentic Christianity, validates spiritual maturity, and provides evidence of divine life operating through human vessels. This understanding eliminates human effort as the mechanism for love development while establishing relationship as the source.
KEY DECLARATIONS
Who does the Bible say I am?
"I am a branch of the True Vine, designed to receive and express divine love nature through abiding relationship with Christ."
What does the Bible say I can do?
"I can love supernaturally because Christ's divine nature flows through my vital connection to Him as the source of all authentic love."
What is my ultimate life victory?
"Ultimate love character flowing through me proves spiritual transformation, validates my Christianity, and demonstrates God's nature operating through my yielded life."
Ultimate Love: Supernatural Completion - Study Notes
Verses, Original Language and Word Study - Long Version
Ultimate Love: Bite Me Series Study #1
Foundation Scripture and Word Study Compilation
A. PRIMARY FOUNDATION SCRIPTURES
1. Core Love Definition Text
1 John 4:7-8 (AMPC) "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is (springs) from God; and he who loves [his fellowmen] is begotten (born) of God and is coming [progressively] to know and understand God [to perceive and recognize and get a better and clearer knowledge of Him]. He who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love."
2. The Vine-Branch Framework
John 15:1-5, 9-13 (AMPC) "I AM the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser. Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit... I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing... I have loved you, [just] as the Father has loved Me; abide (live on) in My love [continue in His love with Me]... This is My commandment: that you love one another [just] as I have loved you. No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends."
3. Love Command Text
John 13:34-35 (AMPC) "I give you a new commandment: that you love one another. [Just] as I have loved you, so you too should love one another. By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves]."
B. COMPLETE CROSS-REFERENCE SCRIPTURES
Category 1: God's Love Nature and Character
1 John 4:9-10 (AMPC) "In this the love of God was made manifest (displayed) where we are concerned: in that God sent His Son, the only begotten or unique [Son], into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins."
1 John 4:16 (AMPC) "And we know (understand, recognize, are conscious of, by observation and by experience) and believe (adhere to and put faith in and rely on) the love God cherishes for us. God is love, and he who dwells and continues in love dwells and continues in God, and God dwells and continues in him."
Romans 5:5 (AMPC) "Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us."
Romans 5:8 (AMPC) "But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us."
Romans 8:37-39 (AMPC) "Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us. For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Jeremiah 31:3 (AMPC) "The Lord appeared from of old to me [Israel], saying, Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you."
Ephesians 2:4-5 (AMPC) "But God—so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us, Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation)."
Category 2: Love Commands and Expressions
Matthew 22:37-39 (AMPC) "And He replied to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (intellect). This is the great (most important, principal) and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself."
John 14:21 (AMPC) "The person who has My commands and keeps them is the one who [really] loves Me; and whoever [really] loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I [too] will love him and will show (reveal, manifest) Myself to him. [I will let Myself be clearly seen by him and make Myself real to him.]"
John 14:23 (AMPC) "Jesus answered, If a person [really] loves Me, he will keep My word [obey My teaching]; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home (abode, special dwelling place) with him."
1 John 2:5 (AMPC) "But he who keeps (treasures) His Word [who bears in mind His precepts, who observes His message in its entirety], truly in him has the love of God been perfected (completed, reached maturity). By this we may perceive (know, recognize, and be sure) that we are in Him:"
1 John 3:16-18 (AMPC) "By this we come to know (progressively to recognize, to perceive, to understand) the [essential] love: that He laid down His [own] life for us; and we ought to lay [our] lives down for [those who are our] brothers [in Him]. But if anyone has this world's goods (resources for sustaining life) and sees his brother and fellow believer in need, yet closes his heart of compassion against him, how can the love of God live and remain in him? Little children, let us not love [merely] in theory or in speech but in deed and in truth (in practice and in sincerity)."
1 John 5:2-3 (AMPC) "By this we come to know (recognize and understand) that we love the children of God: when we love God and obey His commands (orders, charges)—[when we keep His ordinances and are mindful of His precepts and His teaching]. For the [true] love of God is this: that we do His commands [keep His ordinances and are mindful of His precepts and teaching]. And these orders of His are not irksome (burdensome, oppressive, or grievous)."
Category 3: Love Character Description
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (AMPC) "Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]."
Galatians 5:6 (AMPC) "For [if we are] in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love."
Galatians 5:22-23 (AMPC) "But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge]."
Colossians 3:14 (AMPC) "And above all these [put on] love and enfold yourselves with the bond of perfectness [which binds everything together completely in ideal harmony]."
1 Timothy 1:5 (AMPC) "Whereas the object and purpose of our instruction and charge is love, which springs from a pure heart and a good (clear) conscience and sincere (unfeigned) faith."
Category 4: Love in Relationships and Ministry
Ephesians 4:15-16 (AMPC) "Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly]. Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even] Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). For because of Him the whole body (the church, in all its various parts), closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part [with power adapted to its need] is working properly [in all its functions], grows to full maturity, building itself up in love."
1 Corinthians 8:1 (AMPC) "NOW ABOUT food offered to idols: of course we all have knowledge [concerning these matters. Yet mere] knowledge causes people to be puffed up (to bear themselves loftily and be proud), but love (affection and goodwill and benevolence) edifies and builds up and encourages one to grow [to his full stature]."
1 Peter 4:8 (AMPC) "Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others]."
Romans 12:9-10 (AMPC) "[Let your] love be sincere (a real thing); hate what is evil [loathe all ungodliness, turn in horror from wickedness], but hold fast to that which is good. Love one another with brotherly affection [as members of one family], giving precedence and showing honor to one another."
1 John 3:14 (AMPC) "We know that we have passed over out of death into Life by the fact that we love the brethren (our fellow Christians). He who does not love abides (remains, is held and kept continually) in [spiritual] death."
Category 5: Perfect Love and Fear Displacement
1 John 4:18 (AMPC) "There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love's complete perfection]."
2 Timothy 1:7 (AMPC) "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control."
Romans 8:15 (AMPC) "For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing sonship] in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father!"
1 John 4:17 (AMPC) "In this [union and communion with Him] love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him], because as He is, so are we in this world."
Category 6: Love in Spiritual Warfare and Victory
Romans 8:37 (AMPC) "Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us."
1 John 5:4-5 (AMPC) "For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith. Who is it that is victorious over [that conquers] the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on that fact]?"
Ephesians 6:16 (AMPC) "Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one]."
Category 7: Love and Divine Nature Transformation
2 Peter 1:4 (AMPC) "By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature."
1 John 3:1-2 (AMPC) "SEE WHAT [an incredible] quality of love the Father has given (shown, bestowed on) us, that we should [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are! The reason that the world does not know (recognize, acknowledge) us is that it does not know (recognize, acknowledge) Him. Beloved, we are [even here and] now God's children; it is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be [hereafter], but we know that when He comes and is manifested, we shall [as God's children] resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He [really] is."
Galatians 2:20 (AMPC) "I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me."
Category 8: Love and Evangelism/Mission
John 3:16 (AMPC) "For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life."
2 Corinthians 5:14 (AMPC) "For the love of Christ controls and urges and impels us, because we are of the opinion and conviction that [if] One died for all, then all died;"
Romans 10:1 (AMPC) "BRETHREN, [with all] my heart's desire and goodwill for [Israel], my prayer to God is that they may be saved."
Category 9: Love and Church Unity
Ephesians 4:1-3 (AMPC) "I THEREFORE, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to and beg you to walk (lead a life) worthy of the [divine] calling to which you have been called [with behavior that is a credit to the summons to God's service, Living as becomes you] with complete lowliness of mind (humility) and meekness (unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing with one another and making allowances because you love one another. Be eager and strive earnestly to guard and keep the harmony and oneness of [and produced by] the Spirit in the binding power of peace."
1 Peter 4:8 (AMPC) "Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others]."
Romans 12:9-10 (AMPC) "[Let your] love be sincere (a real thing); hate what is evil [loathe all ungodliness, turn in horror from wickedness], but hold fast to that which is good. Love one another with brotherly affection [as members of one family], giving precedence and showing honor to one another."
C. BIBLICAL CHARACTER DEMONSTRATION REFERENCES
Christ's Love Demonstrations
John 15:13 (AMPC) - The Cross "No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends."
John 13:1-17 (AMPC) - Foot Washing (excerpts) "[NOW] before the Passover Feast began, Jesus knew (was fully aware) that the time had come for Him to leave this world and return to the Father. And as He had loved those who were His own in the world, He loved them to the last and to the highest degree."
Luke 23:34 (AMPC) - Forgiveness Prayer "And Jesus prayed, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. And they divided His garments and distributed them by casting lots for them."
Matthew 14:14 (AMPC) - Healing Ministry "When He went ashore and saw a great throng of people, He had compassion (pity and deep sympathy) for them and cured their sick."
Mark 6:34 (AMPC) - Teaching Ministry "As He landed, He saw a great crowd waiting, and He was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things."
Luke 22:31-32 (AMPC) - Intercessory Prayer "Simon, Simon (Peter), listen! Satan has asked excessively that [all of] you be given up to him [out of the power and keeping of God], that he might sift [all of] you like grain, But I have prayed especially for you [Peter], that your [own] faith may not fail; and when you yourself have turned again, strengthen and establish your brethren."
Old Testament Love Examples
Hosea 3:1 (AMPC) "Then said the Lord to me, Go again, love [the same] woman [Gomer] who is beloved of a paramour and is an adulteress, even as the Lord loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love cakes of raisins [used in the worship of idols]."
1 Samuel 18:1-4 (AMPC) "When David had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own life."
Ruth 1:16-17 (AMPC) "And Ruth said, Urge me not to leave you or to turn back from following you; for where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts me from you."
Genesis 50:20-21 (AMPC) "As for you, you thought evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring about that many people should be kept alive, as they are this day. Now therefore, do not be afraid. I will provide for and support you and your little ones. And he comforted them [imparting cheer, hope, strength] and spoke to their hearts [kindly]."
Genesis 13:8-9 (AMPC) "So Abram said to Lot, Let there be no strife, I beg of you, between you and me, or between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are relatives. Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself, I beg of you, from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if you choose the right hand, then I will go to the left."
Exodus 32:31-32 (AMPC) "So Moses returned to the Lord and said, Oh, these people have sinned a great sin and have made themselves gods of gold! Yet now, if You will forgive their sin--and if not, blot me, I pray You, out of Your book which You have written!"
New Testament Love Examples
2 Corinthians 11:28-29 (AMPC) "And besides those things that are without, there is the daily [inescapable] pressure of my care and anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel [his] weakness? Who is made to stumble and fall and have his faith hurt, and I am not on fire [with sorrow or indignation]?"
Acts 9:27 (AMPC) "However, Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and he explained to them how along the way he had seen the Lord, Who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached freely and confidently and courageously in the name of Jesus."
Acts 18:24-26 (AMPC) "Meanwhile, there was a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, who came to Ephesus. He was a cultured and eloquent man, well versed and mighty in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and burning with spiritual zeal, he spoke and taught diligently and accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he was acquainted only with the baptism of John. He began to speak freely (fearlessly and boldly) in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him with them and expounded to him the way of God more definitely and accurately."
Philemon 15-17 (AMPC) "Perhaps it was for this reason that he was separated from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, No longer as a slave but as [something] more than a slave, as a brother [Christian], especially dear to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh [as a servant] and in the Lord [as a fellow believer]. If then you consider me a partner and a comrade in fellowship, welcome and receive him as you would [welcome and receive] me."
Acts 7:60 (AMPC) "And falling on his knees, he cried out loudly, Lord, fix not this sin upon them [lay it not to their charge]! And when he had said this, he fell asleep [in death]."
Acts 9:36,39 (AMPC) "Now there was at Joppa a disciple [a woman] named [in Aramaic] Tabitha, which [in Greek] means Dorcas. She was abounding in good deeds and acts of charity... So Peter [immediately] rose and accompanied them. And when he had arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood around him, crying and displaying undershirts (tunics) and [other] garments such as Dorcas was accustomed to make while she was with them."
D. FOUR-STAGE DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK REFERENCES
Stage 1: Awakening References
John 21:15-17 (AMPC) "When they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these [others do--with reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [that I have deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. He said to him, Feed My lambs."
Stage 2: Connection References
1 John 4:16 (AMPC) "And we know (understand, recognize, are conscious of, by observation and by experience) and believe (adhere to and put faith in and rely on) the love God cherishes for us. God is love, and he who dwells and continues in love dwells and continues in God, and God dwells and continues in him."
Stage 3: Yielding References
Luke 23:34 (AMPC) "And Jesus prayed, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. And they divided His garments and distributed them by casting lots for them."
Stage 4: Flow References
Acts 7:60 (AMPC) "And falling on his knees, he cried out loudly, Lord, fix not this sin upon them [lay it not to their charge]! And when he had said this, he fell asleep [in death]."
E. KEY THEOLOGICAL TERMS
Love-Related Terms
- Agape (ἀγάπη) - Divine love nature
- Phileo (φιλέω) - Friendship/brotherly love
- Storge (στοργή) - Family affection
- Eros (ἔρως) - Passionate/romantic love (not in NT)
Vine-Branch Terms
- Ampelos (ἄμπελος) - Vine
- Klema (κλῆμα) - Branch
- Georgos (γεωργός) - Vinedresser
- Kathairo (καθαίρω) - Cleanse/prune
Character Development Terms
- Meno (μένω) - Abide/remain
- Karpos (καρπός) - Fruit
- Teleios (τέλειος) - Perfect/complete
- Rheo (ῥέω) - Flow
F. COMPLETE GREEK/HEBREW WORD STUDIES
1. ἀγάπη (Agapē - Strong's G26) - Divine Love
Pronunciation: (ah-GAH-pay) Exegetical Range: Divine love, unconditional love, God's love nature, benevolent love seeking others' highest good regardless of personal cost Theological Foundation: God's essential nature available through spiritual birth
2. θεός (Theos - Strong's G2316) - God
Pronunciation: (theh-OSS) Exegetical Range: God, deity, divine nature, the Supreme Being, the Trinity Love Connection: God IS love - essential nature, not attribute
3. ἀγαπητός (Agapētos - Strong's G27) - Beloved
Pronunciation: (ah-gah-pay-TOSS) Exegetical Range: Beloved, dearly loved, cherished, object of divine love Identity Foundation: Believers' fundamental identity as beloved
4. μένω (Menō - Strong's G3306) - Abide
Pronunciation: (MEH-no) Exegetical Range: To remain, stay, dwell, continue, abide, maintain vital connection Love Connection: Continuous relationship for divine love flow
5. τέλειος (Teleios - Strong's G5046) - Perfect/Complete
Pronunciation: (TEH-lay-oss) Exegetical Range: Complete, mature, perfect, finished, having reached intended goal Love Maturity: Complete love development through abiding
6. καρπός (Karpos - Strong's G2590) - Fruit
Pronunciation: (kar-POSS) Exegetical Range: Fruit, result, outcome, product, evidence of life Character Connection: Natural results of spiritual life
7. ῥέω (Rheō - Strong's G4482) - Flow
Pronunciation: (HREH-oh) Exegetical Range: To flow, stream, pour forth, continuous movement Love Flow: Continuous stream from God through believers
8. αἰώνιος (Aiōnios - Strong's G166) - Eternal
Pronunciation: (eye-OH-nee-oss) Exegetical Range: Eternal, everlasting, age-enduring, without beginning or end Love Permanence: Eternal quality of divine love
9. ἀληθινός (Alēthinos - Strong's G228) - True
Pronunciation: (ah-lay-thee-NOSS) Exegetical Range: True, genuine, authentic, real, not counterfeit Vine Reality: Christ as authentic source vs. false vines
10. γεωργός (Geōrgos - Strong's G1092) - Vinedresser
Pronunciation: (gheh-or-GOSS) Exegetical Range: Farmer, gardener, vinedresser, expert cultivator Father's Role: Divine expertise in character development