There are four types of love that we know about but only 3 of the 4 are mentioned in the bible, but they are all most definitely not the same kind of love. This love is not based on merit of the person loved, but rather unconditional and based on them as an image bearer of christ. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. But god shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, christ died for us. Agape ajgavph, the love theme of the bible, can only be defined by the nature of. Indepth bible studies in the living tradition of the catholic church. Whats the difference between it and the other kinds of love. The word love is one of the sloppiest words in our language, as it primarily refers to a feeling that happens to a person. Agape love is not friend, sexual, or brotherly love, but its sacrificial love.
You freely receive it and it cost nothing to use it. Teachers, nurses, or people who dedicate themselves to others are expressing agape love. Agape draws its meaning directly from the revelation of god in christ. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. Agape love the word love is one of the sloppiest words in our language, as it primarily refers to a feeling that happens to a person. If we want the perfect example of love, it is in our creator god.
Paul compares faith, hope, and love, and concludes that the greatest of these is love 1 cor. Discover the top bible verses about agape love from the old and new testaments. The bible uses agape, the greek word for love, to describe perfect love. Uhgahpay is the highest of the four types of love in the bible. The greek language also had terms for two other types of love, eros and storge, which do not expressly appear in the bible. Bible study series a comprehensive lesson on love love according to the world love, by dictionary definition, is described as. God is love and has demonstrated that love in everything that he does. The first two times, the bible uses the agape form of love, which is understood to be a general meaning of the word. Agape ancient greek, agape is a grecochristian term referring to love, the highest.
We are to have the same type of love that jesus christ had for us, which is agape love. A profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child. Love god and love others are the two most important commands of the bible, on the authority of christ himself. Interlinear greek interlinear hebrew strongs numbers englishmans greek concordance englishmans hebrew concordance parallel texts. In the new testament, our english word for love is used in the place of four different greek words. The five lovesand the greatest of these is agape ken boa. Agape, and its verb form agapao, is one of the several greek words for love. Jesus demonstrated this love and commanded his followers to do likewise. Since this is true of god, our failure to love can only. In the new testament, love refers to a way of treating people that was defined by jesus himself. The greeks also spoke of storge, which is a love between family members. This is my commandment, that you love one another, just as i have loved you.
The greek word agape love seems to have been virtually a christian inventiona new word for a new thing apart from about twenty occurrences in the greek version of the old testament, it is almost nonexistent before the new testament. It appears in the johannine definition, god is love. Love god with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength mark 12. Both are greek terms and appear at different points throughout scripture. Agape love is perfect, unconditional, sacrificial, and pure. Love here is not to be understood as one of gods many activities. In the new testament, there are different greek words used for love, each with its own connotations. Almost all common greek or hebrew words will be translated into more than one english word at different places in the bible. Agape love can be found in the people who dedicate their lives to helping others for the good of humanity.
Let everyone know that you are a loved child of god. Agape is the word jesus used when he commanded us to love one another as he has loved us in john. This term defines gods immeasurable, incomparable love for humankind. It does not dishonor others, it is not selfseeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. The bible says we are the undeserving recipients of his lavish agape love 1 john 3. Agape love the steady intention of the will to anothers highest good god is the source of this kind of agape love. The word agape pronounced agahpay is the greek word for spiritual love. Whoever does not love does not know god, because god is love. Anyone who does not love does not know god, because god is love. A person with agape love never says whats in it for me or this person doesnt deserve it. Here is what ive learned from the bible and how god is love. Often, gods love is referred to as agape love which is the highest form of love. When the word agape is used in the bible, it refers to a pure, willful, sacrificial love that. That is the type of love which is always the highest, most.
This love is characterized by unselfishness and giving, even to the point of sacrifice. Read through the biblical references of agape love to learn more about its meaning and significance. To better understand phileo love, we need to take a brief look at. Bible verses related to agape love from the king james version kjv by relevance sort by book order. Agape love is a greek term for one of the four types of love in the bible. Maybe youve already heard that agape is the standard word for love in the greek new. In this video, well explore the various ways the hebrew authors used the word love, and how they depicted god as the ultimate source and goal of all. May you find some insight from these related scripture quotes. The mission of the agape love church is to serve all mankind regardless of class, creed, or color and our community in the development of continuous disciples who will be successful in meeting the challenges of life in this world today and the future, victoriously. It is that love demanded of man by the law of god and for mans neighbor, whom man must love as himself. Prophecy prophesying in the church unchanging relationships prophecies concerning things stopping photography hope and love faith hope and love. To find the full context of shorter scripture quotes, click on chapter above each verse.
There are four greek words for love that are important for bible students to understand. There is no such thing as word for word translation from one language to another. Another example of agape love is in the bible, where gods love for all of humanity is expressed throughout the literature. Gods demonstration of agape love led to the sacrifice of the son of god for those he loves. Agape is not passion with its ebb and flow, its flicker and its flame. Agape love bible college will reward you with a wonderful and unforgettable theology of education ex. A time for love agape agape love being in love brotherly love brothers and sisters love christian being in love divorce due to lack of love faith love grace falling in love falling out of love family love finding love first love god is love gods love gods love for us gods love for you hurting the one you love husbands love. Philia brotherly love, eros passionate love, storge parental love and agape selfless love. The greek word agape is translated both as charity and love in many places in the new testament in the kjv. Most times, the greek words for love used in the bible are simply translated love but in the greek text they mean different things.
It is not a form of natural affection, however, intense, but a. How is this love different from that which the world can give. Dixon had me so mesmerized in the teaching of theology that i never missed a class. We are to love others with agape love, whether they are fellow believers john. Recognizing the value of consistent reflection upon the word of god in order to refocus ones mind and heart upon christ and his gospel of peace, we provide several reading plans designed to cover the entire bible in a year. Agape pronounced uh gah pay love is the greatest love there is and this is the love that god has for his own children and the love that was displayed, in action, on the cross. Agape love, in the bible, is love that comes from god. Jackson leads readers in this hearttransforming message. The bible also mentions phileo, or brotherly love, and refers to eros, erotic love.