AGAPE (Love)

What is the Word?

 Today we use the term “love” extremely broadly. We love our spouse. We also love our pets, friends, and French fries. Although we make distinctions about how we love these things, the New Testament has a vocabulary for love that is much more specific. It uses different words for different kinds of love. The word Agape denotes the sacrificial, self-giving love of God for his people in Christ Jesus.

 How does the Bible use this word?

Agape is used prominently in the New Testament, although not often used outside of Christianity. In contrast to Philia love which denotes a brotherly, unconditional love, Agape expresses the highest form of love. It is the love of God for man and man for God. It is self-denying and sacrificial. It is also different from the sexual desire expressed by the term Eros. 

 Where in the Bible?

 Perhaps the most illustrative usages of this root word occurs in what is arguably the most famous passage of the New Testament:

“For God so loved (ἀγαπάω) the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

-John 3:16

Here we see all the distinct aspects of Agape love. This is indeed the highest and most noble form of love. The love is divine, because it is the love that God himself expresses for the world. It is also sacrificial, in that God is giving over his one and only son in order that the world might be saved through him.

 Love in Practice

The way that we love is always a reflection of what we believe. Because it is revealed to us in the scriptures that the highest form of love is sacrificial, our hearts are conformed to reflect the heart of Jesus. Because of this, our love from God flows through us unto others by the power of the Holy Spirit. Just as he did, we deny ourselves and lay down our own lives for others.

 Written by Drew Matz