What is Love?
As Christians, we always talk about love in many different ways: love to our family, love to our neighbours, love to Jesus, and the love of God. But what does "love" really mean in terms of the Word of God? Is it the same as the human love? We could find many definitions of it in the Bible.
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
Agape (Unconditional Love)
Agape is the highest form of love, characterized by selflessness and unconditional commitment. It is the love that God has for humanity and that He calls us to have for one another.
Scriptural References:
1 Corinthians 13:4-7: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."
1 John 4:8: "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."
Phileo (Brotherly Love)
Phileo is affectionate, warm, and platonic love between friends. It is characterized by mutual respect and shared experiences.
Scriptural References:
John 13:34-35: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Romans 12:10: "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."
Eros (Romantic Love)
Eros is the romantic love shared between a couple. While not frequently mentioned by this term in the Bible, it is implied in the context of marital relationships and physical attraction.
Scriptural References:
Song of Solomon: This entire book celebrates romantic and physical love between a husband and wife.
1 Corinthians 7:3-4: "The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife."
God’s Love for Humanity
God’s love for humanity is sacrificial, covenantal, and redemptive. It is expressed through His actions and promises throughout the Bible. He loved his creation so much, that he sacrificed his only Son to save us and give us a way of salvation. God knows what is the best for us and wants us to obey his commandments, because it's simply better than any advice/order a human could give.
“The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”
Love in the Bible is multifaceted and encompasses different types of relationships and expressions. It ranges from God’s unconditional and sacrificial love for humanity (agape), to the brotherly affection between friends (phileo), the romantic bond between spouses (eros), and the natural affection within families (storge). Each form of love reflects the character of God and His desire for us to love Him and one another deeply and authentically.
