“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (I John 4:10).

The New Testament was originally written in the Greek language which has various words for “love.” Eros (from which we get the word “erotic”) was used for physical love and became associated with “passion.” Although the Bible refers to lust, eros is not used anywhere in the Greek New Testament.

Another word used in the common Greek of the first century was storgos. It emphasized affection within the family relationships. This word is used in the New Testament only in the negative (formed by the prefix “a”). It occurs only in Romans 1:31 and II Timothy 3:3. The latter verse reveals there will be a breakdown of family affection in the last days (illustrations can be found in almost every newspaper and newscast).

Philia (verb, phileo) emphasizes affection which grows out of a mutual response (it’s much easier to like those who like you). A form of the word is what Mary and Martha used when they told Jesus that Lazarus “whom thou lovest is sick” (John 11:3).

Agape (verb, agapao) gives a higher level to the meaning of love than the preceding words. Whereas they have their source in the emotions, agape has its source in the will. Although it involves the emotions, it is choosing – by an act of the will – to love even when the object of love may be unworthy of love. Agape is the kind of love that seeks another’s highest good, regardless of the response. This is seen from Matthew 5:44 where the verb form is used in the command to “love your enemies.”

The Bible makes it clear that God loved us even when we were His enemies (Romans 5:1-8) and sent His Son to die for us (John 3:16). Because He loved us in this manner, we ought not only to love Him but also to love one another (I John 4:11). Agape loves the unlovely and the unloving (Ephesians 2:1-10). Agape always takes the initiative (I John 4:19).

“Behold, what manner of love [agape] the Father hath bestowed upon us…” (I John 3:1a). Dear reader, have YOU known and believed the love that God has toward you? (I John 4:16)

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).