What is agape love in the Bible?
Throughout the Bible we see four different words that are translated as love: Philia, Eros, Storge, and Agape. Each of these kinds of love emphasizes a different aspect of God’s love for us and the love that we are to show to those around us. Agape love differs from the others and is the highest form of love.
This love reveals to us the beautiful and unconditional love that God has for us and challenges us to do the same for others.
What Is Agape Love In The Bible?
We find the Greek word agape 106 times throughout the New Testament. This love perfectly describes the love that God has for us. But this love goes beyond how God feels, it shows us that he IS love. This perfect and sacrificial love reveals to us the very nature of God.
Agape Love Meaning
Agape Love Definition (ἀγάπη) = affection, good will, unconditional love, benevolence
Agape love is more than just an emotion or feeling. It is alive and demonstrates its love through action. This is a divine love that perfectly encapsulates God and who he is. This word shows God’s immeasurable and incomprehensible love for us.
John 3:16 shows us how Jesus perfectly encapsulates God’s love. He loves us because it’s who he is, it’s all he can do. And it’s this perfect love that saves us.
Agape love shows us that God loves us not because we deserve it but because it is in his nature to love the unlovable. No one is too far lost or made too many mistakes. God’s love is for all of us.
Examples Of Agape Love
This love is found perfectly in Jesus. The best example of agape love is Jesus hanging on the cross. He paid the price for our sins simply because of his love for us. We didn’t deserve this love, but he freely gives it anyway.
Agape love is unmerited, unconditional, and always seeks what is best for others.
Only God can demonstrate agape love perfectly, but with the help of the Holy Spirit we can not only experience this love, we can show it to others. This is the calling Jesus has placed on our lives. And it’s important that we remember that this love isn’t just given to those who are deserving, it’s also given to the unworthy. We love everyone because Jesus laid down his life for us and now we do the same for others.
This doesn’t come naturally to us. Which means we have to go to the source to be able to produce such a love. If we want to love as God loves us then we have to abide in Christ and allow him to grow this love in us. If we aren’t connecting with God regularly we will never be able to grow this love on our own.
Agape love shows us the incredible measure by which God loves us. And it challenges us to love others with the same kind of love.
Looking for a great resource to help you abide in Christ and love those around you? I HIGHLY recommend Mark Moore’s books Core 52 and Quest 52.
BA in Biblical Studies - Ozark Christian College (2012)
MA in Theology - Regent University (2019)
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