Ruth chose God, and God used the natural attributes that He gave Ruth to provide for Ruth and Naomi, through the protective generosity of Boaz. Although neither Ruth nor Naomi had a husband, God was still looking after them through Boaz, their kinsman-redeemer.

The admonition to love one another is placed directly after the admonition to not compete, because it is difficult for love and competition to coexist. One of the most destructive things to a marriage that a married couple can do is to compete with one another. God does not tell a man and woman married to one another to become a team, or to work together, but to become one.

If Jesus meant the command to love to apply to any relationship, He meant it for the primary relationship that we have, that being, the relationship that we have with our spouses. A man may choose to give his life for the cause of Christ, but until he does so, he is to live his life for the love of his wife.