Agape
Greek conceptions of love1
In Greek thinking there are three (or four) different concepts of love:
- Eros: Attraction, romantic/sexual love
- Philia: extended self-love
- ”philos” actually meaning “self”, a word that can be extended to friends or family (“philia”)
- Love your friends, hate your enemies
- Agape: God’s perfect, redemptive love
Agape love is based on who God is
Eros and Philia come both out of self-centered human longings. Agape is based on who God is. “God is Agape”: 8.
- Eros says “I am nice to who is attractive”. Agape loves even in ugliniess (8)
- Philia says “Love your friends, hate your enemies”. Agape says “love your enemies” 44.
1 Cor 13:4–7 describes what this Agape love looks like.
We will be known by our Agape love
John 13:34–35: Love is our Evangelism strategy.