The Greek word
agape is often translated “love” in the New Testament. How is “agape love” different from other types of love? The essence of agape love is goodwill, benevolence, and willful delight in the object of love. Unlike our English word
love,
agape is not used in the New Testament to refer to romantic or
sexual love. Nor does it refer to close friendship or
brotherly love, for which the Greek word
philia is used. Agape love involves faithfulness, commitment, and an act of the will. It is distinguished from the other types of love by its lofty moral nature and strong character. Agape love is beautifully described in
1 Corinthians 13.
The agape love expressed in this 1 Corinthians 13 HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH SEX. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ROMANCE EITHER.
His statement in
1 Corinthians 13:13 could be literally rendered “faith, hope, and love
remains.” THIS IS THE SOURCE OF THE FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE.
To use it as referring to romantic or sexual love is TO FAIL TO UNDERSTAND THE MEANING OF AGAPE LOVE, as seen above.
