Agape Love

• Jesus came singing love
• Jesus lived singing love
• Jesus died singing love
• Jesus ascended into silence:
• If the song is to continue - we must do the singing!"
• (source unknown)

Agape (ah-gah-pay) is the chief word used for Godly "love" in the New Testament. It is all-important to the Christian faith! This hub introduces the meanings and uses of the word in the Bible, plus other resources for the reader.

There are three foremost Greek words which are translated as "love" in English from the New Testament Greek. Each has different implications. The two most common were eros (which refers to sensual love), and philos (which means friendship or brotherly love). Eros is not actually found in the New Testament, but philos occurs 26 times.

Among Christians, agape means the unearned love God has for people. Agape love is so great that God willingly sends his only begotten son to endure and die on our behalf.

(John 3:16 AMPLIFIED BIBLE) For God so greatly loved (AGAPE) and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.

Agape is one of several Greek words translated into English as love. This word has also been used in different ways by a variety of ancient sources, including Biblical authors. For example, Greek philosophers at the time of Plato used forms of the word to denote love of a spouse or family, or affection for a particular activity, in contrast to phileo an affection that could denote either brotherhood or generally non-sexual affection, and eros, an affection of a sexual nature. However, The term 'agape' is not often used in ancient manuscripts, but was used by the early Christians to refer to the self-sacrificing love of God for civilization, which they were committed to reciprocating and practicing towards God and among one another.

The best way for me to explain Agape love is to simply quote John 15:13

John 15:13 KJV Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

We certainly do not deserve The Almighty’s Divine Love. It is unmerited; it is freeness in the invitation of “whosoever will” can come, receive and enjoy it; it is the “just as I am” of the repentant; it is Agape love!

The poet, Beverly J. Anderson, penned these attractive words which capture the essence of Almighty God's "Agape Love":

"How matchless is God's wondrous love.

It's higher than the sky above.

It's deeper than the deepest sea

And lasts through all eternity.

No limitations has God's love,

So full His storehouse up above.

God's love can span a boundless chart,

And yet I hold it in my heart."