The word "love" is used many ways and forms in language. "I love you", "I love pizza", "I love music" ect. It is also one word most abused in language. We will often say "I love you" to gain something we desire.
The word "love" is translated into English 310 times in the KJV, 348 in the NASB, 551 in the NIV and 538 in the NRSV. The only reason for these difference in numbers is readability as per the translation. But. The words that are translated from the Greek to the English do not all have the same meaning.
This is a study in the word "love", how we use it and how we are to use it according to Gods Word. Do we use love properly and show it properly or are we using it to "get what we want"?
There are four main words in the Greek which get translated into the English word "love". They are Storge, Eros, Phileo and Agape. Each has a different meaning and are shown in a different way. Only the words Phileo and Agape are used in the Bible. Both Eros and Storge are displayed in the Bible but neither word actually appears. Although the compound word "philostorgos", made up of phileo and storge, appears in Romans 12:10. And the negative for storge, astorgos, appears in Romans 1:31 and 2 Tmothy 3:3.
Storge>an affectionate love shown within a family. Unforced and naturally occuring. Shown Biblically by Noah, Jacob, Mary, Martha and Lazarus.
Eros>is a passionate and sexual love. Important within a marriage relationship. Eros can be mistakenly used for storge. Shown Biblically in the Song of Soloman.
Phileo>this love refers to a brotherly love and is most often displayed in a close friendship. Best friends will display this generous and affectionate love for each other seeking to make the other happy. Shown Biblically between David and Jonathan.
Agape>this is the most powerful type of love. This is a pure sacrificial love of giving oneself for another. This love can only be displayed 100% by God. We are called to have an agape love but because of sin we cannot ever have a 100% agape love. We can have and show times of agape love but while we are human it can never be full in us.
The New Testament writers, who wrote in Greek, found no common word for love adequate enough to explain the love which belongs to God. They used a word rarely used before and gave a new meaning to it. Inspired by the Holy Spirit they used the word agape. J. I. Packer wrote "the New Testament writers had to introduce what was virtually a new Greek word "agape" to express the love of God as they knew it.".
Jesus is agape love personified.
The word "love" is translated into English 310 times in the KJV, 348 in the NASB, 551 in the NIV and 538 in the NRSV. The only reason for these difference in numbers is readability as per the translation. But. The words that are translated from the Greek to the English do not all have the same meaning.
This is a study in the word "love", how we use it and how we are to use it according to Gods Word. Do we use love properly and show it properly or are we using it to "get what we want"?
There are four main words in the Greek which get translated into the English word "love". They are Storge, Eros, Phileo and Agape. Each has a different meaning and are shown in a different way. Only the words Phileo and Agape are used in the Bible. Both Eros and Storge are displayed in the Bible but neither word actually appears. Although the compound word "philostorgos", made up of phileo and storge, appears in Romans 12:10. And the negative for storge, astorgos, appears in Romans 1:31 and 2 Tmothy 3:3.
Storge>an affectionate love shown within a family. Unforced and naturally occuring. Shown Biblically by Noah, Jacob, Mary, Martha and Lazarus.
Eros>is a passionate and sexual love. Important within a marriage relationship. Eros can be mistakenly used for storge. Shown Biblically in the Song of Soloman.
Phileo>this love refers to a brotherly love and is most often displayed in a close friendship. Best friends will display this generous and affectionate love for each other seeking to make the other happy. Shown Biblically between David and Jonathan.
Agape>this is the most powerful type of love. This is a pure sacrificial love of giving oneself for another. This love can only be displayed 100% by God. We are called to have an agape love but because of sin we cannot ever have a 100% agape love. We can have and show times of agape love but while we are human it can never be full in us.
The New Testament writers, who wrote in Greek, found no common word for love adequate enough to explain the love which belongs to God. They used a word rarely used before and gave a new meaning to it. Inspired by the Holy Spirit they used the word agape. J. I. Packer wrote "the New Testament writers had to introduce what was virtually a new Greek word "agape" to express the love of God as they knew it.".
Jesus is agape love personified.