Love is one of the most powerful emotions we can experience. Humans crave love from the moment of existence. And the Bible tells us that God is love. For Christian believers, love is the true test of genuine faith.
Interestingly, the Bible addresses many different kinds of love throughout its pages. The original languages contain several nuances and specific words that communicate particular meanings connected to that emotion. Unfortunately, our modern English translations of those Scriptures typically boil everything down to the same word: "love."
Three unique forms of love are found in the Bible. They are communicated through four Greek words:
1. Eros
2. Philia
3. Agape
Eros Love
Eros, pronounced AIR-ose, love is the physical, sensual intimacy between a husband and wife.
It expresses sexual, romantic attraction.
Eros is also the name of the mythological Greek god of love (the Romans called him “Cupid”), sexual desire, physical attraction, and physical love.
Philia Love
It is the most general form of love in the Bible, encompassing love for fellow humans, care, respect, and compassion for people in need. The most common form of philia is friendship.
Examples of Philia Love in the Bible
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.(Romans 12:10 ESV)
According to Strong's Concordance, the Greek verb philéō is closely related to the noun philia. It means "to show warm affection in intimate friendship." It is characterized by tender, heartfelt consideration and kinship.
Philia means close friendship or brotherly love in Greek.
Agape Love
Pronunciation: [Uh - GAH - Pay]
Perhaps the best way to understand agape love is to think of it as the type of love that comes from God.
Agape is divine love, which makes it perfect, pure, and self-sacrificing.
When the Bible says that "God is love" (1 John 4:8), it's referring to agape love.
Agape is the term that defines God's immeasurable, incomparable love for humankind.
It is his ongoing, outgoing, self-sacrificing concern for lost and fallen people.
God gives this love without condition, unreservedly to those who are undeserving and inferior to himself.