The Greek word for love in the command to love your neighbor is agapao (Strong's 25), meaning to have a warm regard for and interest in another, to cherish, and to have affection for. Jesus elevates this love to an unconditional level, a heartfelt response to do good for another as the occasion requires, regardless of who the other is—whether family, friend, enemy, or stranger. Showing this kind of love to our neighbor goes beyond merely wishing them well; it extends to actively doing them good, choosing to benefit them by showing favor and goodwill. The outworking of this love may involve expressions of kindness or providence, or even discipline and punishment, with the emphasis on doing what is good for them, not necessarily what will please them.

God's way of life is centered on an others-focused spirit, embodied in the concept of agape, which is the essence of His nature. The Greek verb *agapao* (G25) reflects this active love, as seen in I John 4, where it is stated that His agape is perfected in us when we *agapao* each other. This mutual love is evidence that He abides in us, demonstrating His presence through our actions of *agapao* toward one another. Jesus Himself commands us in the two greatest commandments to *agapao* God and our brethren, and in Matthew 5, He extends this further, instructing us to love even our enemies, marking us as true children of God. Without actively expressing His agape every day to Him and His children, we cannot claim to know Him. Where would we be if God did not first *agapao* us, despite our unworthiness? This love is not contingent on feelings or emotions but is an action that must be performed regardless of personal sentiment.

The term *agapao* (G25) and its noun form *agape* are frequently used to describe the love of God in the Scriptures. This quality of love is challenging to define in a single line due to its varied applications across different contexts. Often, it is understood as a deliberate, positive action, akin to keeping the commandments, as seen in I John 5:3, which states that the love of God is to keep His commandments. However, this understanding is not exhaustive. *Agapao* is also used in contexts that reveal an emotional dimension, such as in the case of Demas, where it describes a misguided emotional attachment to the world, contrary to keeping the commandments. In Matthew 5:43-48, *agapao* is employed to indicate a generous, warm, and costly self-sacrifice for another's good, mirroring the sacrifices of Jesus Christ. It is not merely a coldly calculated action devoid of concern; rather, it carries an emotional quality of compassion and care for others' well-being. When Jesus instructs to love enemies, He implies that there must be some degree of emotional concern and compassion toward them, beyond just mechanical obedience to the law. The Parable of the Good Samaritan illustrates this, where the Samaritan's pity and compassion moved him to act, qualifying him as a neighbor, showing that the right emotion can lead to the right action. Jesus sets a high standard for love, urging disciples to elevate their actions beyond the community norm. The coldly calculated obedience to commandments may represent the lowest rung on the ladder of love, as loving only those who love us is akin to expanded selfishness. Instead, Jesus calls for a maturity that reflects the Father in heaven, pushing toward a love that encompasses even enemies with genuine concern. The love of Christ works within to guide and constrain in this direction, transforming how people are viewed and leading toward the ultimate goal of loving as Christ loves, extending first to brethren and eventually to all.