Lexical Summary agapé: Love Original Word: ἀγάπη Strong's Exhaustive Concordance charity, love. From agapao; love, i.e. Affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast -- (feast of) charity(-ably), dear, love. see GREEK agapao HELPS Word-studies 26 agápē – properly, love which centers in moral preference. So too in secular ancient Greek, 26 (agápē) focuses on preference; likewise the verb form (25 /agapáō) in antiquity meant "to prefer" (TDNT, 7). In the NT, 26 (agápē) typically refers to divine love (= what God prefers). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom agapaó Definition love, goodwill NASB Translation beloved (1), love (1), love (112), love feasts (1), love's (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 26: ἀγάπηἀγάπη, (ης, ἡ, a purely Biblical and ecclesiastical word (for Wyttenbach, following Reiske's conjecture, long ago restored ἀγαπήσων in place of ἀγάπης, ὧν in Plutarch, sympos. quaestt. 7, 6, 3 (vol. viii., p. 835, Reiske edition)). Secular authors from (Aristotle), Plutarch on used ἀγάπησις. "The Sept. use ἀγάπη for אַהֲבָה, Song of Solomon 2:4, 5, 7; Song of Solomon 3:5, 10; Song of Solomon 5:8; Song of Solomon 7:6; Song of Solomon 8:4, 6, 7; ("It is noticeable that the word first makes its appearance as a current term in the Song of Solomon; — certainly no undesigned evidence respecting the idea which the Alexandrian LXX translators had of the love in this Song" (Zezschwitz, Profangraec. u. Biblical Sprachgeist, p. 63)); Jeremiah 2:2; Ecclesiastes 9:1, 6; (2 Samuel 13:15). It occurs besides in Wis. 3:9 Wis. 6:19. In Philo and Josephus, I do not remember to have met with it. Nor is it found in the N. T. in Acts, Mark, or James; it occurs only once in Matthew and Luke, twice in Hebrews and Revelation, but frequently in the writings of Paul, John, Peter, Jude" (Bretschn. Lex. under the word); (Philo, deus immut. § 14). In signification it follows the verb ἀγαπάω; consequently it denotes 1. affection, good-will, love, benevolence: John 15:13; Romans 13:10; 1 John 4:18. Of the love of men to men; especially of that love of Christians toward Christians which is enjoined and prompted by their religion, whether the love be viewed as in the soul or as expressed: Matthew 24:12; 1 Corinthians 13:1-4, 8; 1 Corinthians 14:1; 2 Corinthians 2:4; Galatians 5:6; Philemon 1:5, 7; 1 Timothy 1:5; Hebrews 6:10; Hebrews 10:24; John 13:35; 1 John 4:7; Revelation 2:4, 19, etc. Of the love of men toward God: ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ Θεοῦ; (obj. genitive (Winer's Grammar, 185 (175))), Luke 11:42; John 5:42; 1 John 2:15 (τοῦ πατρός); 2. plural, ἀγαπαι, , agapae, love-feasts, feasts expressing and fostering mutual love which used to be held by Christians before the celebration of the Lord's supper, and at which the poorer Christians mingled with the wealthier and partook in common with the rest of food provided at the expense of the wealthy: Jude 1:12 (and in 2 Peter 2:13 L Tr text WH marginal reading), cf. 1 Corinthians 11:17ff; Acts 2:42, 46; Acts 20:7; Tertullian, Apology c. 39, and ad Martyr. c, 3; Cypr. ad Quirin. 3, 3; Drescher, De vet. christ. Agapis. Giess. 1824; Mangold in Schenkel 1:53f; (B. D. under the word The noun occurs 116 times across twenty‐six New Testament books. It is never used of romantic passion and only rarely of natural affection. Rather, it denotes a holy, self‐giving disposition that originates in God, is displayed perfectly in Jesus Christ, and is implanted in believers by the Holy Spirit. The frequency of the term in the writings of John and Paul underscores its centrality to apostolic theology and ethics. The Love of God the Father Scripture presents this love as eternal, sovereign, and initiating. “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). It is poured into the believer’s heart through the Spirit (Romans 5:5) and demonstrated supremely at the cross: “But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Nothing in creation can separate God’s children from it (Romans 8:35–39). The Self-Giving Love of Jesus Christ Jesus embodies the Father’s heart. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). His command, “Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:34), defines Christian ethics. The apostle John records that this love motivated the entire mission of Christ (John 3:16; 15:9–10; 17:26). The Ministry of the Holy Spirit and Love Love heads the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). The Spirit empowers believers to “walk in love” (Ephesians 5:2) and to comprehend the limitless dimensions of Christ’s love (Ephesians 3:17–19). Authentic spiritual gifts and ministries are to operate “through love” (Galatians 5:6). Love as the Fulfillment of the Law Paul summarizes the moral will of God: “Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law” (Romans 13:10). The ethical demands of the Ten Commandments find their positive expression in active, sacrificial concern for others (Romans 12:9; Galatians 5:13–14). Love in the Community of Believers Love is the identifying mark of genuine discipleship: “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). It must permeate congregational life (Ephesians 4:2, 15–16), resolve conflicts (Colossians 3:14), and govern the use of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 13:1–3). Paul closes several letters by commending the churches’ love (Ephesians 1:15; Colossians 1:4) and praying for its increase (1 Thessalonians 3:12). Love and Christian Virtue Lists Alongside faith and hope, love stands supreme: “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13). Peter urges believers to add love at the capstone of virtue (2 Peter 1:7). Timothy is commanded to pursue it (1 Timothy 6:11), and Titus is to promote it among all age groups (Titus 2:2). Love and Eschatology Love endures beyond the temporal gifts and offices of the church (1 Corinthians 13:8). Yet the last days will be characterized by its decline: “Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12). The church at Ephesus is warned for abandoning its “first love” (Revelation 2:4), showing that zeal without affection is unacceptable. Warnings Concerning Misplaced Love Believers must guard against loving the world’s system (1 John 2:15) and against hypocritical love that masks self-interest (Romans 12:9). False teachers exploit the church’s love feasts (Jude 12), turning sacred fellowship into self-indulgence. Historical Background Outside Scripture the term could describe friendship or hospitality, but the New Testament elevates it. The Septuagint uses it for covenant loyalty, preparing Jewish readers for the apostolic message. In the early centuries, Christian writers testified that unbelievers were astonished by the believers’ mutual love, a direct outworking of the teaching found in John 13:35 and Acts 2:44–47. Early Church Practice: The “Love Feasts” Jude 12 references communal meals that celebrated unity in Christ and often accompanied the Lord’s Supper (cf. 1 Corinthians 11). Abuse of these gatherings prompted apostolic correction, emphasizing that true fellowship must reflect Christ’s sacrificial concern for others. Pastoral and Practical Applications • Preaching: The gospel must highlight God’s initiating love and call hearers to respond in saving faith (Ephesians 2:4–5). Theological Summary Love is God’s own character revealed, Christ’s sacrifice enacted, and the Spirit’s fruit produced in the believer. It fulfills the law, validates discipleship, empowers ministry, and endures forever. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 24:12 N-NFSGRK: ψυγήσεται ἡ ἀγάπη τῶν πολλῶν NAS: most people's love will grow cold. KJV: shall abound, the love of many INT: will grow cold the love of the many Luke 11:42 N-AFS John 5:42 N-AFS John 13:35 N-AFS John 15:9 N-DFS John 15:10 N-DFS John 15:10 N-DFS John 15:13 N-AFS John 17:26 N-NFS Romans 5:5 N-NFS Romans 5:8 N-AFS Romans 8:35 N-GFS Romans 8:39 N-GFS Romans 12:9 N-NFS Romans 13:10 N-NFS Romans 13:10 N-NFS Romans 14:15 N-AFS Romans 15:30 N-GFS 1 Corinthians 4:21 N-DFS 1 Corinthians 8:1 N-NFS 1 Corinthians 13:1 N-AFS 1 Corinthians 13:2 N-AFS 1 Corinthians 13:3 N-AFS 1 Corinthians 13:4 N-NFS 1 Corinthians 13:4 N-NFS Strong's Greek 26 |
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