The Greek words for Love?

Question

In the Bible there are two Greek words for the English word "love". The Greek words are agapae and phileo. My question is do the two greek words for love have a different meaning of love or the same meaning of love?

Answer 1

and the corresponding noun agape (B, No. 1 below) present "the characteristic word of Christianity, and since the Spirit of revelation has used it to express ideas previously unknown, inquiry into its use, whether in Greek literature or in the Septuagint, throws but little light upon its distinctive meaning in the NT. Cp., however, Lev. 19:18; Deut. 6:5.
"Agape and agapao are used in the NT (a) to describe the attitude of God toward His Son, John 17:26; the human race, generally, John 3:16; Rom 5:8; and to such as believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, particularly, John 14:21; (b) to convey His will to His children concerning their attitude one toward another, John 13:34, and toward all men, 1 Thess. 3:12; 1 Cor. 16:14; 2 Pet. 1:7; (c) to express the essential nature of God, 1 John 4:8.

"Love can be known only from the actions it prompts. God's love is seen in the gift of His Son, 1 John 4:9,10. But obviously this is not the love of complacency, or affection, that is, it was not drawn out by any excellency in its objects, Rom. 5:8. It was an exercise of the Divine will in deliberate choice, made without assignable cause save that which lies in the nature of God Himself, Cp. Deut. 7:7,8.

"Love had its perfect expression among men in the Lord Jesus Christ, 2 Cor. 5:14; Eph. 2:4; 3:19; 5:2; Christian love is the fruit of His Spirit in the Christian, Gal. 5:22.

"Christian love has God for its primary object, and expresses itself first of all in implicit obedience to His commandments, John 14:15,21,23; 15:10; 1 John 2:5; 5:3; 2 John 1:6. Self-will, that is, self-pleasing, is the negation of love to God.

"Christian love, whether exercised toward the brethren, or toward men generally, is not an impulse from the feelings, it does not always run with the natural inclinations, nor does it spend itself only upon those for whom some affinity is discovered. Love seeks the welfare of all, Rom. 15:2, and works no ill to any, 13:8-10; love seeks opportunity to do good to 'all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith,' Gal. 6:10. See further 1 Cor. 13 and Col. 3:12-14." * [* From Notes on Thessalonians, by Hogg and Vine, p. 105.]

In respect of agapao as used of God, it expresses the deep and constant "love" and interest of a perfect Being towards entirely unworthy objects, producing and fostering a reverential "love" in them towards the Giver, and a practical "love" towards those who are partakers of the same, and a desire to help others to seek the Giver. See BELOVED.


is to be distinguished from agapao in this, that phileo more nearly represents "tender affection." The two words are used for the "love" of the Father for the Son, John 3:35 (No. 1); 5:20 (No. 2); for the believer, John 14:21 (No. 1); 16:27 (No. 2); both, of Christ's "love" for a certain disciple, John 13:23 (No. 1); 20:2 (No. 2). Yet the distinction between the two verbs remains, and they are never used indiscriminately in the same passage; if each is used with reference to the same objects, as just mentioned, each word retains its distinctive and essential character.

Phileo is never used in a command to men to "love" God; it is, however, used as a warning in 1 Cor. 16;22; agapao is used instead, e.g., Matt. 22:37; Luke 10:27; Rom. 8:28; 1 Cor. 8:3; 1 Pet. 1:8; 1 John 4:21. The distinction between the two verbs finds a conspicuous instance in the narrative of John 21:15-17. The context itself indicates that agapao in the first two questions suggests the "love" that values and esteems (cp. Rev. 12:11). It is an unselfish "love," ready to serve. The use of phileo in Peter's answers and the Lord's third question, conveys the thought of cherishing the object above all else, of manifesting an affection characterized by constancy, from the motive of the highest veneration. See also Trench, Syn., xii.

Again, to "love" (phileo) life, from an undue desire to preserve it, forgetful of the real object of living, meets with the Lord's reproof, John 12:25. On the contrary, to "love" life (agapao) as used in 1 Pet. 3:10, is to consult the true interests of living. Here the word phileo would be quite inappropriate.

Note: In Mark 12:38, AV, thelo, "to wish," is translated "love" (RV, "desire").


the significance of which has been pointed out in connection with A, No. 1, is always rendered "love" in the RV where the AV has "charity," a rendering nowhere used in the RV; in Rom. 14:15, where the AV has "charitably," the RV, adhering to the translation of the noun, has "in love."

Note: In the two statements in 1 John 4:8,16, "God is love," both are used to enjoin the exercise of "love" on the part of believers. While the former introduces a declaration of the mode in which God's love has been manifested (1 John 4:9,10), the second introduces a statement of the identification of believers with God in character, and the issue at the Judgment Seat hereafter (1 John 4:17), an identification represented ideally in the sentence "as He is, so are we in this world."


denotes, lit., "love for man" (phileo and anthropos, "man"); hence, "kindness," Acts 28:2; in Titus 3:4, "(His) love toward man." Cp. the adverb philanthropos, "humanely, kindly," Acts 27:3. See KINDNESS.

Note: For philarguria, "love of money," 1 Tim. 6:10, see MONEY (love of). For philadelphia, see BROTHER, Note (1).

Answer 2

There are actually three that I know of (maybe the third isn't in the Bible).

Agape, phileo, erros

Agape is the kind of love that God has for us and which we can only try to have for others. It is unconditional and complete love for a person. An always forgiving, accepting the person completely. Loving someone even when they have faults. This kind of love can only truly be exhibited by God himself, but when we serve Him, He can work through us so that we can show little snippets of agape love. Alwyas try to agape loe. It is the hardest and most difficult of all.

Phileo is brotherly love. Philadelphia is the "city of brotherly love". It is a caring kind of love. I think it is experienced in a community where people look out for one another and care for eachother. It entails a kind of commeraderie that brothers show for eachother.

Erros is the sexual errotic kind of love. It connotates passion and physical desire for a person.

I hope this helps:)

Answer 3

There are 4 Greek words for love. Agape which is selfless, unconditional love. Phileo, which is friendship love. Storge, which is like family love such as parents feel for offspring. And eros, which is intimate, passionate love.

Answer 4

There's more than two. Agape is the type of love that you feel for every person in the world. Phileo is the love that two siblings or family members feel for each other. Eros is the love that you feel for your wife, husband, boyfriend, or girlfriend.

Answer 5

The Greek language uses three words for love, each meaning different things:

Philios - Love of friends, family etc, a personal love.

Eros - Sexual love

Agape - The word used for the love of God, an open love in which the person loves unconditionaly and which has no sexual overtones and knows no personal preferences.

Answer 6

ἀγαπάω
agapaō
ag-ap-ah'-o
Perhaps from ἄγαν agan (much; or compare [H5689]); to love (in a social or moral sense): - (be-) love (-ed). .


φιλέω
phileō
fil-eh'-o
From G5384; to be a friend to (fond of [an individual or an object]), that is, have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling; while G25(agape) is wider, embracing especially the judgment and the deliberate assent of the will as a matter of principle, duty and propriety: the two thus stand related ; the former being chiefly of the heart and the latter of the head); specifically to kiss (as a mark of tenderness): - kiss, love.

Answer 7

There are actually three words in greek for love. They all mean love but different kinds of love. One is eros which is like lust or just a sexual kind of love. The second is philia which means a friendship or loyalty kind of love, and the third which is agape is a serious, deep love or affection, not just lust like eros.

Answer 8

Different

philous
Function: adjective combining form
Etymology: Greek -philos, from philos dear, friendly
: loving : having an affinity for

aga·pe
Pronunciation: ä-'gä-(")pA, 'ä-g&-"pA
Function: noun
Etymology: Late Latin, from Greek agapE, literally, love

Answer 9

Agapé is unconditional love based on principle; philia is brotherly love.

(Eros is the Greek word for romantic love.)

Answer 10

They are two specific kinds of love. Agape is total and unconditional love, complete.