Bible Question: hOW MANY TIMES IS LOVE MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE? |
Bible Answer: I'm sure someone will supply you with a number. Interestingly (and important for an understanding of the NT use of "love"), the Greek scripture had four words for love that are simply translated as "love" into English - but carry different meanings. E´ros (a word not found in the Christian Greek Scriptures), which is based on sexual attraction. Stor·ge´, a feeling based on blood relationship. Phi·li´a, warm friendship love based on mutual esteem. A·ga´pe—the love based on principle, which might be said to be synonymous with unselfishness, the love the apostle John referred to when he said: “God is love.”—1 John 4:8. Professor William Barclay in his New Testament Words says: “Agape has to do with the mind: it is not simply an emotion which rises unbidden in our hearts [as may be the case with phi·li´a]; it is a principle by which we deliberately live. Agape has supremely to do with the will. It is a conquest, a victory, and achievement. No one ever naturally loved his enemies. To love one’s enemies is a conquest of all our natural inclinations and emotions. This agape . . . is in fact the power to love the unlovable, to love people whom we do not like.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 contains a fine definition of "agape" [love]. |