Words of Love – agape (charity)

Theme for this week:Words of Love

February 4, 2022 (Friday)

We are in the process in these blogs of learning about four Greek words from the Bible. We examined “storge,” translating it as “affection.” Then it was “philia,” which we said means, “friendship.” After that, the word “eros” was explained as “romantic love.” Today we look at the fourth word, “agape.” The three words examined so far establish relationships. Each word says, “love someone.” “Agape,” translated here as “charity,” does not concentrate so much on the recipient of love, but instead focuses on the type of love being exercised. It does not expect a smile or a “thank you,” but is all about helping the other person with no regard for self. Agape love is “one-way” love. It differs from the other “loves” in that it is totally selfless.

Think for a moment of the Bible verse, John 3:16, which says, “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” (NIV). If this was all new to you, but you had been told about the four words for love, which word for love would you say is used in this verse? Of course, it is the word, “agape.”

The other three words, “affection,” “friendship,” and “romantic love,” all are about a love that is shared. You give love, and it is given in return. It is reciprocal. But agape love sees the need and attempts to meet that need with no thought of any kind of reimbursement or show of thanks. That’s why I call it “selfless.” And yet it is love reaching out to others. God loved the people of this world and gave His Son. Jesus loved us and gave Himself on the Cross.

The “Love Chapter,” 1 Corinthians 13, is about agape love. When Jesus said, “Love one another,” he used the word, “agape.” He gave us agape love, and now we are to give agape love to others. It asks for nothing in return, but, ironically, gives to us our greatest joy.