Note 2 at Col. 3:19: A parallel scripture to this verse is found in Ephesians 5:25 which states, "Husbands love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church..." The Greek word used in both Colossians 3:19 and Ephesians 5:25 is the verb AGAPAO, and is the same kind of love that God showed toward us when we were still sinners (Rom. 5:8). Obviously, we still fail and yet Christ continues to love us and never becomes bitter against us. It is this kind of love-best understood as seeking the welfare and benefit of another-that AGAPE and AGAPAO describe (see note 4 at Jn. 13:35, p. 483, see note 3 at Rom. 12:10, p. 830). It is the love of choice empowered through the Holy Spirit that is described here and not the love of emotion or passion.