Beetow
Member
- Dec 14, 2024
- 808
- 69
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There are at least two Greek words for love in the new testament; possible a third
that I haven't found yet.
One of the words is agape (ag-ah'-pay); spelling varies depending whether it's
in the form of a noun, verb, or an adjective.
Anyway, agape is sort of a general purpose word for love very common throughout
the new testament and may, or may not, include the elements of tenderness, fondness,
and affection. For example:
"God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes
in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into
the world to judge the world, but that the world should be spared through him."
(John 3:16-17)
That passage reveals God's concern for the world but doesn't really say how He
feels about the world.
The other word is phileo (fil-eh'-o); again, spelling varies. Now this word is very
particular in that it always includes the elements of tenderness, fondness, and
affection because this is a brotherly love rather than a generic love. For example:
"The Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I
came from God." (John 16:27)
That is an astounding declaration! I mean, speaking for myself: it is nigh unto
impossible to believe that the disgusting sinner I've been could ever stir the
supreme being's affections in any way at all. Well; normally that would never
happen had not Christ made it possible.
_
There are at least two Greek words for love in the new testament; possible a third
that I haven't found yet.
One of the words is agape (ag-ah'-pay); spelling varies depending whether it's
in the form of a noun, verb, or an adjective.
Anyway, agape is sort of a general purpose word for love very common throughout
the new testament and may, or may not, include the elements of tenderness, fondness,
and affection. For example:
"God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes
in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into
the world to judge the world, but that the world should be spared through him."
(John 3:16-17)
That passage reveals God's concern for the world but doesn't really say how He
feels about the world.
The other word is phileo (fil-eh'-o); again, spelling varies. Now this word is very
particular in that it always includes the elements of tenderness, fondness, and
affection because this is a brotherly love rather than a generic love. For example:
"The Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I
came from God." (John 16:27)
That is an astounding declaration! I mean, speaking for myself: it is nigh unto
impossible to believe that the disgusting sinner I've been could ever stir the
supreme being's affections in any way at all. Well; normally that would never
happen had not Christ made it possible.
_
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