Of the four types of love in the Bible, which one is more important?
Welcome to the latest edition of my Blog!
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflecting on a song by Cory Asbury, “Reckless Love”, click HERE to see lyrics video.
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine
Another St. Valentine’s Day approaches and everyone will be focusing on Love. In the english language we use the word “Love” to convey an emotion one person feels for another. Husband say they love their wives, wives say they love their husbands, daughters, sons, friends, and so on. Are we talking about affection, attraction, caring for, or sacrifice?
Love is love right?
When it comes to love, most of us turn to 1 Corinthians 13 to read on what the Bible says about love.
“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. Love never fails.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV
Notice the last verse, “Love Never Fails.”
Yet, in todays world, we see love falling short. Divorce rate is sky high. Family members betray each other for the love of money or fortunes. Mothers or fathers abandon children because of hardships. Friends stab each other in the back to move up the ladder of opportunities. I can go on, but you see the picture.
So how can the Bible say that love never fails?
It is so interesting that God chose the Greek language to inspire most of the New Testament. This language uses words that are detailed and expresses what the writer had in mind, in pin-point fashion. Each word is like a heat seeking missile. When you read the New Testament in English, you will see the word love in many areas. If you study the Bible diligently, and look up the greek word for love, you will see they are different in many areas.
There are four greek words translated “Love” in the english language, two of them written in the Bible, and one more in a variation of the root listed here below.
Let’s examine each one.
Storge
Family love (Sisters, brothers, mothers, etc.) This may be the second love we encounter as we grow from a baby until our teens. Our mother and/or father will care for us. We hug our parents, and feel safe. We take care and protect our brothers and sisters. It is a family bond that is hard to break.
YET this LOVE can FAIL. Family members often fight over money, relatives, friends, and many other reasons.
This greek word is found in a variation on 2 Timothy 3:3 and other places in the New Testament. The word there is “astorgos” and is translated unloving. The “a” before “storgos” means without.
Phileo
Brotherly love between friends. It is the love we encounter between members of a team, war fighters, etc. This is the third love we may encounter growing up. When we start going to school, sports, etc., we start bonding with friends that like the same sports, music, movies, toys, and/or games.
YET this LOVE can FAIL. Rifts often comes between friends, different interests may come, new girlfriends/boyfriends, jealousy sets in, etc.
This greek word is found through-out the New Testament. It is the word we get the city name, Philadelphia.
Eros
This is an erotic, sensual, romantic, or attraction kind of love. This love may be the fourth love we will encounter. This love is what many, in todays society, call love. It is the attraction you feel for the opposite sex when you come of age. Often when a husband says, I love my wife, this may be the love he may be referring to.
YET this LOVE can FAIL. So many divorces today are labeled, “unreconcilable differences.” This is another word for: You got fat, you snore, you can’t cook, you are too old, you drink too much, I can go on.
This greek word is not found in the New Testament. The Old Testament book, Song of Songs, is the closest analogy to this word.
Agape
God’s love for humanity. This is the FIRST love you encounter. Are you surprised? The Bible says that before we were born, God knew us.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…”
Jeremiah 1:5 NIV
“We love because He first loved us.”
1 John 4:19 NIV
In the book of Revelation, chapter 2:4. Jesus is addressing the church at Ephesus:
“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”
Revelation 2:2-4 NKJV
The word “love” in that verse is Agape love!
Our creator, Jesus Christ, is our First Love!
This love is unconditional, relentless, reckless, It is sacrificial, and this love will do anything to win the subject. This love does not depend on the recipient’s action to endure.
“But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.”
Luke 6:32 NKJV
This love will never forsake the recipient. The Bible says that God is love in 1 John 4:8. Jesus Christ, who is God in the flesh, personified this love when He sacrificed Himself for us at the cross, to forgive our sins, to pay the penalty of sin, so God could have fellowship with the object of His love. In the book of John, this is illustrated in full detail:
“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.”
John 3:16 NIV
THIS LOVE NEVER FAILS
Let us read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 again, but this time, replace the word love for the name of Jesus.
Jesus is patient, Jesus is kind. Jesus does not envy, nor boast, Jesus is not proud. Jesus does not dishonor others, and is not self-seeking, Jesus is not easily angered, nor keeps record of wrongs. Jesus does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Jesus always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Jesus never fails.”
Jesus said this to put an exclamation point:
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
John 15:13 NIV
We can say that there are three human loves, and God’s love is the glue that keeps them from falling apart. Storge love, Phileo love, and Eros love will not fail, when Agape love is present in our heart. We will always stand by our family, our friends, and the love of our life.
But, some claim, it is impossible to have Agape love as human beings!
With God, nothing is impossible. The Bible says a “Rope of Three Strands” is not easily broken:
Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 NKJV
If a man and a woman love each other, that is two strands. The third strand is Jesus Christ, living inside of us, in our heart!
If we cannot manifest Agape love, then we must possess, invite into our heart, He who IS the personification of agape love. Most divorces happen because Jesus is not present in the marriage.
The enemy comes and overpowers one or the other. With God as the third strand, if the enemy attacks one lover, the other two fight, through prayers, and miracles, and love will not fail!
I can testify about this. My lovely wife have told me she prays when I go through night seasons, periods in which I become the center of me. Sometimes, during one of those periods, she will quote a Bible verse, and it goes to work on me. The Holy Spirit convicts me and I get on my knees. God the Father then lifts my head up and restores me.
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12 NIV
A good movie to see with this in action is the “War Room”, if you have not seen it, do it.
I thank God for the gift of my wife! She is my “Help Me!”
Abba, Father!
Forgive us for we have forgotten what love is and how to love. You are love, Father! And in your son, Jesus Christ, mankind have touched pure love. It is Your Love that allows us to love unconditionally. So we pray that you bless us with the Holy Spirit, and that through Him, we learn to love humanity and lead others to Christ Jesus. Lead us Lord, to love others as you Agape Love us. We pray that you help marriages that are in a weak state, for your name’s sake.
In the name of Jesus Christ!
Amen.
To God be the glory! By Him, For Him!
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Disclaimer
I write this blog as I get inspired by God. Consider this writing as a Bible study. Like the Bereans In Acts 17:11, search the Scriptures to find out whether what I write is so. Always consult with your church ministers about biblical matters. I am also not a professional writer, so there may be some grammar or spelling errors. I try my best to write as efficient as possible. Ricardo
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