Love is a major theme throughout the Old and New Testaments. The two Great Commandments are about love—love for God and love for one another (Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18). God is love! (1 John 4:8, 16). Therefore it’s essential that we understand, teach and practice godly love in our thoughts, words and actions.

“Love” is a very general English word used in many ways. On the other hand, godly love is specific and spiritual, far superior to any other love. Because it is a special and profound subject, it’s natural for us to want a simple, shorthand way of referring to it, a sort of code word that attempts to sum it up. And we naturally want to use a word that sounds pleasant and “spiritual.”

This partly explains the widespread popularity of the Greek word agape! This word is used in countless sermons and articles, including many in United Church of God. Some churches and other religious organizations also use the word as part of their titles.

Agape—pronounced ah-gah’-pey or ah’-guy-pey—is a nice-sounding Greek noun for love. The corresponding verb is agapao (pronounced ah-gah-pah’-o).

The Greek noun agape should not be confused with the English word agape (pronounced uh-geyp’), meaning “with mouth wide open, as in surprise, wonder, or eagerness.”

The fact the Greek word agape has been adopted as a popular English word creates some confusion. An English dictionary (Dictionary.com) defines agape as: 1. The love of God or Christ for humankind. 2. The love of Christians for other persons, corresponding to the love of God for humankind.

But those are not the definitions in the Greek language!

The purpose of this article is not to thoroughly explain godly love. If that were the purpose, it would address scriptures in the Old Testament almost as much as the New Testament. The purpose of this article is to clear up the misconceptions about the Greek noun agape as well as the Greek verb agapao.

Is Agape a Special and Spiritual Type of Love?

When we see the word “love” in the New Testament, it is most often the translation of agape or agapao. And since many of those scriptures are telling us how great is godly love, it is not surprising that we would assume that those Greek words refer to a superior kind of love, a spiritual godly love.

However, that assumption is not accurate. When the New Testament was being written, the Greek noun agape and verb agapao were the most common and general words for “love.” They were used in a wide variety of contexts just as our English word “love” is used in a variety of contexts. So when we say “agape love,” we are virtually saying “love love.” It’s like saying “amor love” (Spanish), “amour love” (French) or “amore love” (Italian).

To understand the attitudes and actions of godly love requires far, far more revelation than knowing the definitions of a couple of Greek words and a couple of Hebrew words.

Godly love is a spiritual love that God through His Holy Spirit enables us to have (Romans 5:5; Galatians 5:22; 1 John 4:7-13). The confusion arises because many people assume the same thing about agape/agapao. We will see from several scriptures that this assumption is not true.

Examples of Agapao by Carnal and Evil People

Luke 6:32—“For even sinners love [agapao] those who love [agapao] them.”

John 3:19—“Men loved [agapao] darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”

John 12:43—“For they loved [agapao] the praise of men more than the praise of God.”

2 Timothy 4:10—“Demas has forsaken me, having loved [agapao] this present world.”

2 Peter 2:15—“They have forsaken the right way . . . following the way of Balaam . . . who loved [agapao] the wages of unrighteousness.”

1 John 2:15—“Do not love [agapao] the world or the things in the world.”

You see? The Greek words agape and agapao do not imply a spiritual or righteous love.

Let’s Clearly Distinguish Between the English and Greek Words

The purpose of this article is not an effort to put a stop to mentioning agape in our messages. We can reduce the confusion by thinking of agape as both a Greek word and an English word (since it has been adopted into the English language). As a Greek word, it has no inference of anything spiritual. But when used as an English word, it is commonly viewed as a spiritual love. So no misrepresentation of the Bible is done when someone speaks of “agape” if he clarifies that he is using it as an English word for spiritual love and not stating or implying that agape and agapao mean spiritual love in the New Testament.

Other Greek Words Meaning Love

Two other Greek words are usually translated as “love” in the New Testament. Philos (noun) appears 29 times, and phileo (verb) appears 25 times. Many of our English words are based on the root Greek word philo, such as philadelphia, which means brotherly love.

However, agape appears 116 times and agapao appears 137 times in the New Testament, so we see how much more prevalent is this pair of words compared to philos and phileo.

Two other Greek words that can be translated as “love” (eros and storgos) are not in the Bible.

Agape/agapao and philos/phileo have slightly different meanings. Some people think of agape and agapao as decisive love from the mind (head) while they think of philos and phileo as more spontaneous and emotional love from the heart, like affection. However, the New Testament frequently uses them synonymously and interchangeably, as we shall now see.

Synonymous Uses of Agapao and Phileo

“That disciple whom Jesus loved [agapao] . . . ” (John 21:7, 20; 19:26).

“The other disciple, whom Jesus loved [phileo] . . . ” (John 20:2).

“For whom the Lord loves [agapao], He chastens” (Hebrews 12:6).

“As many as I love [phileo], I rebuke and chasten” (Revelation 3:19).

“Woe to you Pharisees! For you love [agapao] the best seats” (Luke 11:43).

“Beware of the scribes, who . . . love [phileo] . . . the best seats” (Luke 20:46).

Here we see that agapao and phileo are used interchangeably! As Canadians would say, interesting, eh?

Phileo Used for Godly Love

When the New Testament speaks of godly love, it does not always use agape or agapao.

John 5:20—“For the Father loves [phileo] the Son.”

John 16:27—“For the Father Himself loves [phileo] you, because you have loved [phileo] Me.”

1 Corinthians 16:22—“If anyone does not love [phileo] the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed.”

Titus 3:15—“Greet those who love [phileo] us in the faith.”

Thus we see that the Greek language does not make a major distinction between agape/agapao and philos/phileo.

However, Something Significant About Agape/Agapao

Agape/agapao has a shade of meaning which is significant: It implies a decision to love even when there is no expectation of a reciprocal response. It often is not a mutual, two-way love.

To illustrate, God loved all people (who were generally unlovable!) before anyone loved Him in return, and when there was no guarantee that anyone would love Him in the future (John 3:16-17). Consider Romans 5:6-8: “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love [agape] toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Let’s Not Forget the Old Testament

Love is taught throughout the Old Testament as well. Many New Testament scriptures about love are quotes from the Old Testament. The Hebrew language expresses love very well. “Love” in the Old Testament is most often the translation of ahab (pronounced aw-hab’), which appears 250 times in varied forms, the verb far more frequently than the noun.

Consider the two Great Commandments. “You shall love [ahab] the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5). “You shall . . . love [ahab] your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18).

Also be aware of hesed (or xi, pronounced kheh’-sed), a profound and inspiring Hebrew word with various shades of meanings. It is in the Old Testament 248 times. It indicates steadfast and compassionate love and mercy. Some of the translations are mercy, lovingkindness and goodness.

Hesed most often is referring to the love of God toward His people. Plus, hesed is often the keyword in important passages about God’s love for all people, including Psalm 36:5, 7, 10 and Psalm 103:8, 11, 17.

Godly Love Far Exceeds Agape!

To understand the attitudes and actions of godly love requires far, far more revelation than knowing the definitions of a couple of Greek words and a couple of Hebrew words. We need the entire Bible, God’s book of love!

1 Corinthians 13 is the “love chapter,” the chapter that most succinctly sums up godly love. This one chapter reveals far more than any definition of agape/agapao. To imply that we can sum up God’s love with one word or a few words is an insult to God and His love.

It’s unfortunate that some have tried to separate godly love from obedience to God’s Ten Commandments. A major way that we express our love for and loyalty to God is by obeying His Commandments (1 John 2:4-6; 5:2-3; 2 John 6). This heresy is reinforced by modern society’s portrayal of love as emotional feelings, while the Bible portrays love primarily as one’s actions—the labor of love in how we treat God and other people. The Greek words agape/agapao do not imply anything about obeying God, which further demonstrates that they do not represent godly love.

A “New Commandment”—the Sign of a Disciple!

John, the “apostle of love,” preserved for us Jesus’ critically important statements about love.

Jesus said, “I’m giving you a new commandment: Love each other in the same way that I have loved you” (John 13:34, God’s Word). The Old Testament teaches love, so how could a commandment to love be “new”? Jesus taught and demonstrated a much higher level of love than the world had ever known! It was a completely unselfish, unreserved, self-sacrificing love.

Jesus went on to say, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). This is the sign that is unique and most convincing—the Christ-like love that God’s people have for each other.

Godly love is selfless and sacrificial. Jesus said: “This is My commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:12-13, New Living Translation). See 1 John 3:16-18.

The apostle Paul also taught humble sacrificial love: “Don’t be jealous or proud, but be humble and consider others more important than yourselves. Care about them as much as you care about yourselves” (Philippians 2:3-4, Contemporary English Version).

The apostle Peter also emphasized a special deep love for fellow disciples: “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren [philadelphia], love [agapao] one another fervently with a pure heart” (1 Peter 1:22).

Godly love is amazing! It does not seek retaliation (Matthew 5:38-39) It is willing to go beyond one’s duty in serving others (verses 40-42). It even means loving one’s enemies! (verses 43-48). The perfect example of these virtues was the earthly life of Jesus Christ!

Some Conclusions

Let’s be very careful about the words we use. If we speak of agape as a spiritual love, it would be good to clarify that we are using it as a popular English word and not as a Greek word.

As humans, we can never fully comprehend God’s love, although it is our duty and joy to strive to understand it better and better. It is our duty and joy to increasingly internalize that same love and exercise it toward God and toward one another.

Perhaps the Bible’s greatest tribute to God’s profound and awesome love is in Ephesians 3:16-19. The New Living Translation words it this way: “I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”