Talk of JESUS .com

Tag: agape

All you need is Love Love Love
Or should I say, Love, love, love, love perhaps four times?

(As just a bit earlier than the Beatles another Englishman, Clive Staples, pointed out 4 loves — each at least somewhat different from the others?)

Christians throw around the LOVE jargon rather vaguely and with much overlap (as does the world).

For God so loved the world.. John 3:16
- The word, “Love” occurs over 500 times in the Bible
- translated more than 200 times from New Testament Greek into the English Standard Version
Let’s have some Biblical intercourse about the real definitions of the Biblical loves to which C.S. Lewis referred.

The Four Loves

Love, of course, is quite popular now (February), as it is every year.

C.S. Lewis, born just a couple of years before my grandfathers, capitalized on this in his popular RADIO program and published a book called THE FOUR LOVES in A..D. 1960 (when I was only ten and John Lennon was just twenty).

To outline Lewis’ approach briefly:

The Four Loves was Lewis’ look at some of the different loves described in Greek thought: familial or affectionate love (storge); friendship (philia); romantic love (eros); and spiritual love (agape) in the light of Christian commentary on ordinate loves.

Source: C.S. Lewis.org
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The New Testament was written in Greek, which is why we will apply some New Testament Scripture using these words based on Lewis' outline for the same 'four loves.' 
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Although in A.D. 1960 Lewis began elsewhere, today let’s start with the world’s contemporary favorite:

Eros – ἔρως

Eros is the Greek term for romantic or passionate love. While the word itself is not used in the New Testament, the concept is present in the biblical understanding of marriage and the intimate relationship between husband and wife. Eros is seen as a gift from God, intended to be expressed within the covenant of marriage.

The Song of Solomon [O.T.] is often cited as a biblical celebration of eros, highlighting the beauty and intensity of romantic love.

Source: Biblehub.com

Affection (storge)

Affection covers an array of loves. Like animals, the care of mother to babe is a picture of affection. It relies on the expected and the familiar. Lewis describes it as humble.

It’s the familiarity of, “the people with whom you are thrown together in the family, the college, the mess, the ship, the religious house,” says Lewis.

Source: Biblehub.com

My long search for affection in the Bible

I do not mean affection literally (in English), but a Greek word for affection, STORGE.

God blessed me with an additional embrace of His Personal and mysterious, complex love for us through searching aimlessly for love in the Bible. Only after researching further in other commentaries did I connect this word of affection with the Lord’s additional loves we experience so personally.

God’s affection in the Person of His only Son JESUS was there all along and I had missed it.

Roger@TalkofJesus.com

..says Lewis. The affection for the people always around us, in the normal day-to-day of life, is the majority of the love we experience, even if we don’t label it.

‘Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.’
had jumped out to me in the NIV

But in addition to our affection meaning devoted, when Paul writes to the Romans, the word the Apostle uses here for love obviously applies to brotherly love – philadelphia.

I also liked his mention to ‘honor‘ each other above your SELF.

Seems familiar to JESUS’ second summary point from the Commandments. LOVE actually appears in BOTH of these commandments cited by our Lord:

Jesus said to him,

“‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like it:
‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 22:37-40 NKJV

What is the greatest love?

ἀγαπάω – agapaō

*Thou shalt love kyrios thy theos.

Do we not hold FEAR rather than embrace the LORD our theos as a pillar of fire?

But what about the Lord Jesus’ second commandment (which we often claim as our ‘GOLDEN RULE?’

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Gospel of Matthew 22:39 KJV

ἀγαπάω – agapaō

*Thou shalt love thy plēsion [neighbour]…
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The Lord seems to mention others as at least equal to our need for self-love, if not more honor as Paul suggests in writing to the Church in Rome. 
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This LOVE is the SAME Love, that is: agapaō !
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We'll get to what it is in a moment, but for now note that here in relation to PERSONS we seem have a better chance for AFFECTION as I noted in Paul's verse from Romans. 
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Storge – Other Loves plus Devotion

Although the specific term storge is not used in the New Testament, the concept is evident in passages that emphasize family relationships and responsibilities. Romans 1 2:10

φιλόστοργος – philostorgos – adjective
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a Greek conjunction PHILO plus STORGOS - Do you see both LOVES?
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And look at its definition:
1. the mutual love of parents and children and wives and husbands
2. loving affection, prone to love, loving tenderly
  - chiefly of the reciprocal tenderness of parents and children
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Which brings us to a third love C.S. Lewis highlights:
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Philia (φιλία)

Friendship is the love dismissed.

“To the Ancients, Friendship seemed the happiest and most fully human of all loves,”

says Lewis,

“the crown of life and the school of virtue.
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And at this writing in ~ A.D. 1958 or 1960 Lewis laments of such philos friendships: 
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The modern world, in comparison, ignores it.” Why?

Perhaps we know it’s the most time consuming, the least celebrated, the one we could live without.

Can we?

Even in 2025 Common Era time-crunching christian church gatherings pressed to entertain all sinners in these last days?

Discovering Phila-Delphia

philadelphos – Strong’s G5361
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'I've got this one, brother,' you're probably thinking. Okay, let's break it down.
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a Christian loving Christians

YES, it’s a great adjective describing the relational fruit of Biblical Christians.

From φίλος (G5384) and ἀδελφός (G80)

φίλος – Strong’s G5384 – philos

Adjective
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Here's HALF of the Phila Delphia ANSWER. Read on and I'll get to the other HALF later. 
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†φίλος phílos, fee’-los; properly, dear, i.e. a friend; actively, fond, i.e. friendly (still as a noun, an associate, neighbor, etc.):—friend.
“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends ^G5384.

“You are My friends ^G5384 if you do what I command you.

Jesus Christ, from the Good News of John 15:13-14 LSB

JESUS, the Son of Man and Son of God EMBRACES His disciples as close friends.
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And you may have guessed it: 
The relational word the beloved Apostle John uses here for LOVE is agapē.
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φιλέω – Strong’s G5368 – phileō

a verb with similar meaning that we won’t want to miss
1. to love
  - to approve of
  - to like
  - sanction
  - to treat affectionately or kindly, to welcome, befriend
2. to show signs of love
  - to kiss
3. to be fond of doing
  - be wont [an accustomed familiarity], use to do
Perhaps the most convicting encounter with JESUS using this word phileō for LOVE occurs in His most personal encounter with the Apostle Peter after our Lord’s resurrection.

Here’s an excerpt:

“Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?”

He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love G5368 You.”

“Simon, son of John, do you love Me?”

He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love G5368 You.”

He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love G5368 Me?”
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IF you don't already know what word JESUS used for LOVE in His first two questions I'll bet you can guess 
- Jesus asks Simon Peter if he agapaos Him; 
yet this third time the Lord uses Peter's word for friendship - φιλέω phileō, which Peter again confirms.
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Now returning to our compound Greek word for Philadelphia we must consider one additional connection of LOVE:
- philadelphos – Strong’s G5361
  - From φίλος (G5384) and ἀδελφός (G80)
ἀδελφός – Strong’s G80 – adelphos

masculine noun — From ἄλφα (G1) (as a connective particle) and delphus (the womb)
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We'll close with this. But first our full definition of adelphos:
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1. a brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother
2. having the same national ancestor, belonging to the same people, or countryman
3. any fellow or man
4. a fellow believer, united to another by the bond of affection
5. an associate in employment or office
6. brethren in Christ
  - his brothers by blood
  - all men
  - apostles
  - Christians, as those who are exalted to the same heavenly place
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And what connection makes this Christian philia LOVE so unique?
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ἄλφα – Strong’s G1 – alpha
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You've probably already guessed it and why this Greek word was designated as 'G1' in the Strong's concordance. 
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indeclinable noun – Of Hebrew origin

“I am the Alpha G1 and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

The Revelation of Jesus Christ to John 1:8

“I am the Alpha G1 and the Omega, THE FIRST AND THE LAST, the beginning and the end.”

The Revelation of Jesus Christ to John 22:13 LSB
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We haven't quite reached the Omega of Lewis' FOUR LOVES. 

God-willing we'll look at agape in our NEXT Saturday Post. 
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Talk of JESUS .com

Comment on Scripture + Share the Gospel
February 14, 2025
A First Letter to the Corinthians Intro
in the year of our Lord ano Domini 55 [A.D. 55]

& in the context of the culture of Corinth

Intro
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PREVIOUSLY in this Talk of Jesus series from CHURCH LETTERS - IS HE WRITING TO ME? we have glanced at a few of Paul's LETTERS (Epistles) to the Church written during his just completed missionary journeys. 

TODAY we continue with a brief look back at more letters already sent to the churches. 
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WHAT THE CHURCH HAS READ SO FAR:
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Just a reminder that all dates from reliable sources may vary but are used for chronological context only.
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- A.D. 49 – JAMES, the half-brother of Jesus and leader of the church in Jerusalem writes his LETTER
  - James also sends out a letter to the churches concerning gentiles from the Council in Jerusalem.
A.D. 49 – the Council at Jerusalem
- A.D. 49 – Paul writes his letter to the Galatians (actually, several new churches in Galatia)
HOT topics from Galatians – Perversion of the Gospel
- A.D. 50 – 1 THESSALONIANS
Paul’s unfinished business with the Thessalonians – 1
- A.D. 51 – 2 THESSALONIANS
II Thessalonians Intro – It is meet and right so to do..
- during the A.D. 50’s or A.D. 60’s (actual date unknown) – The GOSPEL OF MARK
1:1 Ἀρχὴ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God – Mark 1:1

Consider the possibility that parts of the Gospel of John Mark, who had accompanied his uncle Barnabas and the Apostle Paul to Cypress, MAY HAVE been known even in Corinth where Paul has already travelled and whose FIRST LETTER we are about to examine.

The GREAT COMMISSION of JESUS CHRIST to the CHURCH is recorded in the Gospel of Mark 16:15

1 Corinthians:

This epistle was most likely written in the first half of A.D. 55 from Ephesus (16:8, 9, 19) while Paul was on his third missionary journey. The apostle intended to remain on at Ephesus to complete his 3 year stay (Acts 20:31) until Pentecost (May/June) A.D. 55 (16:8). Then he hoped to winter (A.D. 55–56) at Corinth (16:6; Acts 20:2). His departure for Corinth was anticipated even as he wrote (4:19; 11:34; 16:8).
John MacArthur :: Bible Introductions – 1 Corinthians

Paulus vocatus apostolus Christi Iesu per voluntatem Dei et Sosthenes frater
– 1 Corinthios (1 Corinthians) 1 :: Latin Vulgate (VUL)

in the context of the culture of Corinth

CORINTH, ACHAIA is ROMAN; not Macedonian (as in the former Empire of Alexander the Great).

Neither is the large city of Corinth simply Greek, as in ‘ancient Greece’ with ancient Athens whose glory had long ago been reduced to ruins.

In 146 BC, the battle of Corinth signified a defining moment in the history of ancient Greece. Situated on the narrow strip of land connecting the Peloponnese to the mainland of Greece, Corinth was a city-state with a significant strategic and economic position.
source:

The language of Greek (thanks to the Great Macedonian Alexander) has become the international language of the Roman Empire.

So in Corinth, Philippi, Ephesus, Antioch and even in Jerusalem the GOOD NEWS and Epistles [Letters] typically were written and read in GREEK.

Παῦλος κλητὸς ἀπόστολος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ διὰ θελήματος θεοῦ καὶ Σωσθένης ὁ ἀδελφός
Α΄ Κορινθίους (1 Corinthians) 1 :: Textus Receptus (TR)

Paulos klētos apostolos Jēsous Christos dia thelēma theos kai Sōsthenēs ho adelphos;

To the church of God which is at Corinth,

to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints,

with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
1 Corinthians 1:2 NKJV

Here in CORINTH we immediately read the opening of Paul’s Epistle written in Greek to the CHURCH, beginning with the Apostle’s universal greeting to ALL and specifically to the saints separated to the calling of Christ Jesus our Lord.

Paul had been there and wrote back to encourage these Christians in Corinth.

See if this A.D. first century city of CORINTH sounds vaguely familiar to any city of destruction in our 21st century the Common Era.
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Once again, the commentary of John Macarthur on the culture of Corinth.
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Even by the pagan standards of its own culture, Corinth became so morally corrupt that its very name became synonymous with debauchery and moral depravity.

To “corinthianize” came to represent gross immorality and drunken debauchery. In 6:9, 10, Paul lists some of the specific sins for which the city was noted and which formerly had characterized many believers in the church there.

Tragically, some of the worst sins were still found among some church members.
John Macarthur Commentary – the Background and Setting of Corinth

Here the Apostle writes to a chosen few SAVED from the surrounding sinful culture of CORINTH (and most every other city in their culturally correct Roman Empire) in a CHURCH separated in worship yet living and working with all of those destined to the wrath of God’s punishment.
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These Corinthian Christians were taught and sought to live in complete contrast to sinful lifestyles hopefully left behind. 
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Later in his letter Paul will describe their love [ ἀγάπη ] more fully.

Although some contemporary Christians include parts of Paul’s list of LOVE in ceremonies of Christian marriage, the love of which Paul writes is not romantic or specifically marital in any way.

These CORINTHIANS were recognized in the city for their uniquely personal LOVE –

ἀγάπη – agapē love,

sometimes translated as CHARITY for each other and for others.

Their agapē LOVE stood against a CULTURE OF SIN characterized in a “corinthianized” city, fallen nation or evil empire.

Paul later writes what he knows of their Corinthian challenges warning:

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?

Do not be deceived;

.. neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

And such were some of you…
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 excerpt LSB

Starting with Encouragement

Paul begins his Epistle with an agape-rooted encouragement.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace, for which Christians should be so well recognized, written χάρις in Greek charis is:
- that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech
- good will, loving-kindness, favour
- of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues
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CAN YOU THINK OF ANY GREETING WHICH ENCOURAGES MORE THAN 'GRACE?'
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I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all word and all knowledge,
even as the witness about Christ was confirmed in you, so that you are not lacking in any gift, eagerly awaiting the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, beyond reproach in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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Paul practically embraces these Corinthian believers in a personal prayer written for them.

Could any introduction of LOVE and Grace be more encouraging?
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God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians 1:9 LSB [in context of 1:3-9]
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Theos is faithful, through Whom you were kaleō into koinōnia with His Son Ἰησοῦς Χριστός [iēsous christos] our kyrios.

*Linked definitions of GREEK words from 1 Corinthians 1:9 from BlueLetterBible.org 
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Reintroducing our Lord

Paul begins his letter to a beloved church in a city caught-up in the sins of SELF and worshipping multiple gods of ME with encouragement in the Lord Jesus Christ.

In the Apostle Paul’s two Epistles to the Corinthians he uses:
- iēsous – 45x
- christos – 111x
- kyrios – 95x
- θεός – theos – an amazing 185x
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- king - only once in his second letter & not referring to Jesus
- prophet - prophētēs - only once but referring to gifts of the saints
- priest not at all in writing to the Corinthians
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TO:

THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN SANCTIFIED – ἁγιάζω – hagiazō – Paul uses this four times in this letter.

Are YOU sanctified?

ἅγιος – agios – sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated):—(most) holy (one, thing), saint.

That’s what the apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God asks the church of God which is at Corinth.
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(It's a good question for those claiming Jesus Christ facing a refining and sanctification of our sinful mortal flesh.)
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The Apostle Paul refers to the church as SAINTS, a most holy thing, TWENTY TIMES in his epistles to the Corinthians including his encouragement of the church in this introduction.

To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:
τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ τοῦ θεοῦ τῇ οὔσῃ ἐν Κορίνθῳ ἡγιασμένοις ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ κλητοῖς ἁγίοις σὺν πᾶσιν τοῖς ἐπικαλουμένοις τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐν παντὶ τόπῳ αὐτῶν τε καὶ ἡμῶν·
1 Corinthians 1:2 NIV, TR –
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The Apostle Paul has many more things to write to the Corinthians (and to you, God-willing).
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To be continued…

Talk of JESUS .com

Comment on Scripture + Share the Gospel
June 12, 2024
God’s Personal Love -2 His Love of the Church
Jesus Loves the Church

If you picture Jesus’ Disciples as a blueprint of His church you will observe God’s love for the Church by Christ’s love of them. The Messiah Jesus had been with the Twelve for over two years when the Lord asked them about the crowds of disciples who followed them.

Matthew 16:

Also: (Mark 8:27–30; Luke 9:18–20 )

Jesus: “Who are people saying the Son of Man is?
- Various Apostles: “Well, some say Yochanan the Immerser,
  - others, Elijah;
  - and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
Jesus: “But you, who do you say I am?”

Simon Peter:

“You are the Mashiach, the Son of the living God.”
Matthew 16:16 Complete Jewish Bible – maw-shakh

Jesus: “Shim‘on Bar-Yochanan,” Yeshua said to him, “how blessed you are! For no human being revealed this to you, no, it was my Father in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it…

Jesus builds the church and defeats her enemy

It is a powerful prediction prior to Jesus’ crucifixion!

He will build HIS Church. Hell will not claim its dead sinners redeemed in His sacrificial Blood of God’s grace.

God’s enemy loves sin.

Man’s enemy tempts us away from our loving Lord God. Satan has prevailed in our death ever since man’s expulsion from the presence of the LORD in Eden.

Here prior to His Sacrifice, Jesus, who began the work of the church in His Personal love of the Apostles, tells His Disciples He will soon secure our salvation by His own human death on a Cross for our sins.

Peter and the Apostles will become the rock-solid foundation for a Church – an eternal Temple purified in Christ to be built after the Son of the living God leaves this world in victory over sin.

“Greater love has no one than this, that a person will lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13 NASB20

Why does love even matter?

Quite simply, because God is love Personally, embodied in the Person of the Messiah Jesus.

Jesus loves His friends much!

We witnessed this most godly love in our introduction at the tomb of Lazarus and later Jesus shows this unrelenting Personal love to Simon Peter after His resurrection.

AND

Our Lord (if we really love Jesus as our Lord) commands His followers to love one another as He has loved us.

also love one another-John 13

God is a RELATIONAL GOD! And in Christ Jesus we know the Lord’s LOVE is PERSONAL.
Roger@talkofJESUS.com

We are connected in Love to our Lord Jesus and to each other.

Love, love and other loves.

So as not to immerse ourselves into a baptism of love feasts, I must define this love of which we speak, actually more than one love of which Christians speak in the context of Christ Jesus.

ἀγάπη – agapē

If you are a ‘christian’ raised in the church you probably have heard plenty of our first one: agapē or agapaō (Here’s a quick look.)

the Love noun of the church

Jesus said: “And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love G26 will become cold.”
- Are you feeling that?
Even non-christians have noted this lack of love.

And you are probably familiar with this one *although the context is not romantic as it is often used emotionally in marriage ‘vows’.

Love G26 is patient, love G26 is kind, it is not jealous; love G26 does not brag, it is not arrogant.
1 Corinthians 13:4 NASB20 – Strings G26 – agape love
- How are we doing with this ‘love’ of others?
  - your neighbors,
  - your boss and coworkers,
  - parents of your child’s ‘friend’
  - or even someone at ‘church’?
ἀγαπάω – agapaō

the Love verb of the church

If ‘love’ as a nown is our expected godly response to others, then ‘love’ as a verb must become the actionble response of every ‘Christian,’ every saint of Christ’s church who claims Jesus as Lord.

Jesus answered and said to him,
“If anyone loves G25 Me, he will follow My word; and My Father will love G25 him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him.
The one who does not love G25 Me does not follow My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me.
John 14:23-24 NASB20 – Strong’s G25 agapaō love

With ‘love’ as defined in English we have some confusion, not to mention misapplication of Scripture. There is, however, some overlap as you will see in this next quote returning to the context of Jesus and Lazarus from our introduction to God’s Personal Love.

(Now Jesus loved G25 Martha and her sister, and Lazarus.)
John 11:5 NASB20 – Strong’s G25 agapaō love

φιλέω – phileō

a verb of approval, affection & kindness

So the sisters [Martha and Mary] sent word to Him, saying,

“Lord, behold, he [Lazarus] whom You love G5368 is sick.”
John 11:3 NASB20 – Strong’s G5368 phileō love

And yes, phileō is the same verb the mourners used of Jesus when they remarked, “See how He loved G5368 him!”

The Lord Jesus loved his friend Lazarus, yet listen to what Jesus says just a week before He is to be crucified and die on a Cross for the sins of His ‘friends.’

“The one who loves G5368 his life loses it,
and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life.
John 12:25 NASB20 – The Messiah Jesus on phileō love, approving of our own life!

Jesus goes on counsel His followers (true Christians, faithful saints of the Church not approved by the world) concerning our opposition by many who refuse to love the Lord their God:

“If you were of the world, the world would love G5368 you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.
John 15:19 NASB20 – Jesus Christ on why the world hates or does not approve of Christians who love the Lord and witness His love for the world.

The ‘door’ on the wall of worship

‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock;

if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.

Revelation 3:20

Those whom He loves

We’ve heard it preached — Christians and those evangelized to come, if you will, to our gentle and compassionate Lord — we have heard this Scripture from the Revelation of Jesus Christ to John.

We like it. And we love this same compassionate Son of Man the Jews observe at the tomb of Lazarus when they say, “See how He loved him.”

Yet hear me, dear friend, and hear out the context of this compassionate grace offered to those who will obey Christ’s commands.

And just in case the Lord is speaking to you — in case the Lord refers to your church and ‘christian‘ friends of your church, please see the Scripture of Christ’s letter to a church through the Apostle John:

( I shared this on talkofJesus.com in our first year of witness in 2013.)

https://talkofjesus.com/time-is-near-laodicea/embed/#?secret=SsPa0SB2lZ“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot.
“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot.

If in the year of our Lord 2013, “the Time was near for our Church,” certainly time has sprinted strides further in these last days of A.D. 2021 nearer the finish line of God’s glory.

Next time, we will talk of Jesus’ connection to the Church even after the deaths of all but one of His beloved Disciples. Here’s a preview from Scripture. We will begin with the Lord’s brother Jude then God-willing speak to the church directly. (Preview below)

Revelation 3:
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To be continued...
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April 21, 2021