“The Agape Kind of Love”

There are two Greek words for love used in the New Testament.
“Agape/Agapao” and “Phileo”. This week we will look into “Agape” and next week we will be looking into “Phileo”.

Here is a break down on “Agape/Agapao”:
Agape (noun) is used 116 times in the New Testament.
Agapao (verb) is used 146 times in the New Testament listed below.
Combined that’s 262 uses of Agape/Agapao in the New Testament.
That is a lot of usage for a word in the New Testament!

Agape/Agapao defined:
Agape (noun)/Agapao (verb) is an unselfish, unconditional, sacrificial love, and is a love that can also be given to one who is NOT worthy of it. It is often referred to among Christians as the God kind of love.

(Next week we will look at Phileo (verb) which though important is used only 25 times in the New Testament. It means a friendship kind of love, taking interest in someone, to treat affectionately or kindly or to have the same interest with another person. It also can involve fondness or to be fond of doing, it is non-sexual in meaning).

So as to make this study flow and easy to follow it will be more in a outline form, I believe the usage of Agape/Agapao in these passages will give you fresh insight into LOVE and will bless your life. I have chosen a sampling of passages and categorized them and though more wordy, I added the Greek into text for more meaning. As always for deeper and clear understanding always read the passages before and after the reference.

AGAPE/AGAPAO selected passages catagorized:

LOVE CHAPTER DEFINES AGAPE:
Read I Cor. 13:1-13 - This is the LOVE chapter - All references to Love/Charity are “Agape”.

MOST FAMOUS LOVE SCRIPTURE IN THE WHOLE BIBLE:
For God so loved (agapao - with an unselfish, unconditional, sacrificial love) the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. - John 3:16

GOD IS LOVE (great passage):
v. 7 - Beloved, let us love (agapao - with an unselfish, unconditional, sacrificial love) one another: for love (agape - with an unselfish, unconditional, sacrificial love) is of God; and every one that loveth (agapao - with an unselfish, unconditional, sacrificial love) is born of God, and knoweth God.
v. 8 - He that loveth (agapao - with an unselfish, unconditional, sacrificial love) not knoweth not God; for God is love (agapao - with an unselfish, unconditional, sacrificial love).
v. 9 - In this was manifested the love (agape - with an unselfish, unconditional, sacrificial love) of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
v. 10 - Herein is love (agape - with an unselfish, unconditional, sacrificial love), not that we loved (agapao - with an unselfish, unconditional, sacrificial love) God, but that he loved (agapao - with an unselfish, unconditional, sacrificial love) us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. - I John 4:7-10

THE LORD DISCIPLINES (CHASTENETH) THOSE HE LOVES:
For whom the Lord loveth (agapao - with an unselfish, unconditional, sacrificial love) he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. - Hebrews 12:6
Note: God disciplines ALL His children because of His Love!

OUR LOVE FOR HIM IS BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US:
We love (agapao - with an unselfish, unconditional, sacrificial love) him, because he first loved (agapao - with an unselfish, unconditional, sacrificial love) us. - I John 4:19

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS LOVE:
v. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love (agape - with an unselfish, unconditional, sacrificial love), joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
v. 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. -Gal. 5:22,23

OUR FAITH WORKS BY LOVE:
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love (agape - with an unselfish, unconditional, sacrificial love).
-Gal. 5:6 Note: True faith comes from true LOVE.

NO FEAR IN LOVE:
There is no fear in love (agape - with an unselfish, unconditional, sacrificial love); but perfect love (agape - with an unselfish, unconditional, sacrificial love) casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love (agape - with an unselfish, unconditional, sacrificial love). - I John 4:18
NOTE: Unhealthy fear is a sign we are not perfected in LOVE, there is no fear in God’s LOVE. LOVE will drive away fear(s) - AMEN!

SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE:
But speaking the truth in love (agape - with an unselfish, unconditional, sacrificial love), may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: - Eph. 4:15
NOTE: We should NEVER use the Word of God in a manipulative way (which is obviously not LOVE)!

WE ARE TO LOVE GOD:
v.37 - Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love (agapao - with an unselfish, unconditional, sacrificial love) the Lord thy God
with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
v. 38 - This is the first and great commandment. - Matthew 22:37-38

WE ARE TO LOVE OUR FRIENDS:
Greater love (agape - with an unselfish, unconditional, sacrificial love) hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. - John 15:13

WE ARE TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR:
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love (agapao - with an unselfish, unconditional, sacrificial love) thy neighbour as thyself. - Matthew 22:39

WE ARE TO LOVE OUR ENEMIES:
But I say unto you, Love (agapao - with an unselfish, unconditional, sacrificial love) your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; - Matthew 5:44

WHEN WE LOVE GOD WILL KEEP HIS COMMANDMENT:
If ye love (agapao - with an unselfish, unconditional, sacrificial love) me, keep my commandments. - John 14:15

THE HUSBAND IS TOLD TO LOVE HIS WIFE:
Husbands, love (agapao - with an unselfish, unconditional, sacrificial love) your wives, even as Christ also loved (agapao - with an unselfish, unconditional, sacrificial love) the church, and gave himself for it; - Eph. 5:25
NOTE: This “agapao” love will NEVER produce a chauvinist, dictator type husband. He will be a husband who will love his wife an unselfish, unconditional, sacrificial love.

As we have seen today LOVE is a very important and vital part of our relationship with God and others, may we always be vessels showing forth the Love of God!