Agapē (αγάπη
in Greek) is one of several Greek words translated into English as love. Greek
writers at the time of Plato and other ancient authors used forms of the word to denote love of a spouse or family, or
affection for a particular activity, in contrast to, if not with a totally
separate meaning from, philia (an affection that could denote either
brotherhood or generally non-sexual affection) and eros (an affection of
a sexual nature, usually between two unequal partners, although Plato's notion
of eros as love for beauty is not necessarily sexual). The term agape
with that meaning was rarely used in ancient manuscripts, but quite extensively
used in the Septuagint, the Koine Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible. In the New Testament, however, agape was
frequently used to mean something more distinctive: the unconditional,
self-sacrificing, and volitional love of God for humans through Jesus, which
they ought also to reciprocate by practicing agape love towards God and
among them. The term agape has been expounded on by many Christian
writers in a specifically Christian context. In early Christianity, agape
also signified a type of Eucharistic feast shared by members of the community. The Apostle Paul glorified love as the most important
virtue of all. Describing love in the famous poem in 1 Corinthians, he wrote, "Love
is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, 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, and always perseveres."
(1 Cor. 13:4–7, NIV) The Apostle John wrote, "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. For God did not send his Son into the world to
condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is
not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he
has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." (John
3:16–18, NIV) John also wrote, "Dear friends, let us love one
another for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and
knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."
(1 John 4:7–8, NIV) Agape ~ The only purely Christian kind of love! Source: Wikipedia & New World Encylopedia |
