Love Is God's LanguageSýnishorn

Greek Words For Love

There are quite a few words in the Greek language that describes the one word we use for love today, and I am very happy the Greek language can help us with the clarity which we so desperately need in this time when everyone loves everything. Today we will touch on four of those Greek words for insight and clarification.

1. Eros - A Greek and Roman god of love, often called the son of Aphrodite. He is better known by his Roman name Cupid. Note: The word erotic comes from the Greek word eros, which is the term for sexual love itself, as well as the god's name ("eros." Collins English Dictionary). Eros can also be described as the love of the body or romantic love (Ichykoo). From these definitions, we can see that Eros is a passionate and intense love that arouses romantic feelings and is merely emotional and sexual and while having an attraction is vital at the beginning of relationships it is not enough to sustain it long term without commitment and giving.

2. Phileo - refers to brotherly love and is most often exhibited in a close friendship. Best friends will display this generous and affectionate love for each other as each seeks to make the other happy - (www.gotquestions.org ). This love was seen in the relationship between David and Jonathan - (1 Samuel 18: 1- 3). We have the choice when it comes to phileo because its relationship is based on our likes and preferences.

3. Storge - is an affectionate love, the type of love one might have for family or a spouse. It is a naturally occurring, unforced type of love. Some examples of storge love can be found in the stories of Noah, Jacob, and siblings, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. (www.gotquestions.org). 

4. Agape - speaks of the most powerful, noblest type of love: sacrificial love. Agape love is more than a feeling—it is an act of the will. This is the love that God has for his people, and that prompted the sacrifice of his only Son, Jesus, for our sins. Jesus was agape love personified. Christians are to love one another with agape love - (www.gotquestions.org ). There is no greater love than agape for it is the God kind of love and this is the love God the Father shows to us. Agape is always accompanied with giving and doing, and here we see agape, and Ahavah is the same love that will sustain our relationship with God and others summing up the greatest commandments – Love God; Love People!

Declaration: I will aspire for the God kind of love to flow through me. Today I will function in Agape!