3 KINDS OF LOVE (SESSION 8 –

1 CORINTHIANS 13:1-13)
April 16, 2018 by Mike Livingstone

Whereas in English we have one word to express all kinds of love, in Greek there are
four different words for love. Let’s take a quick look at those words. We’ll combine
two of them with related meanings into one category, differentiating three distinct
kinds of love. Then we’ll affirm three significant life truths that arise from our
understanding of the different kinds of love.

3 KINDS OF LOVE
1. Eros refers to physical or sexual love.

The word eros was commonly used in the Greek-speaking world of New Testament
times. The word itself is not found in the pages of the New Testament. The concept of
physical love, however—expressed in the context of marriage—is found and affirmed
in the New Testament (see 1 Cor. 7:5; Heb. 13:4).

2. Philos means warm affection or friendship.

Philos was commonly used with reference to friendships or family relationships. For
example, it was used in Matthew 10:37 to indicate love for father and mother or son
and daughter. Philos was the word used of Jesus’ love for His friend Lazarus (John
11:3,36) and His love for His disciple (John 20:2).

A related word, storgē, means “family devotion.” Storgē is not a common word in the
New Testament. In Romans 12:10, it is compounded with philos(philostorgoi) and
can be translated “devoted” (NASB) or “brotherly affection” (ESV).

3. Agapē is the sacrificial, unconditional love of God.

In the New Testament, agapē is the highest form of love. But outside of the New
Testament, the word was rarely used. Prior to New Testament times, agapē did not
carry any special significance as a higher kind of love. Thus, it’s the New Testament
understanding of the unique nature of God’s love—not the word’s usage in the Greek-
speaking world of the first century—that gives the word agapē its special meaning.

Agapē is the word that describes God’s love in John 3:16, “God loved the world in
this way …” (CSB). We are commanded to love God (Matt. 22:37) and love one
another (John 13:34) with agapē love. Agapē is the word for love used in 1
Corinthians 13.

3 LIFE TRUTHS

1. To say that agape love is the highest form of love is not to say other kinds of love
are insignificant or trivial.

God created sexual love (eros) to be expressed in marriage between husbands and
wives. He also created us to be connected to friends (philos)—to live in community.
We are not trivializing these other kinds of love by saying agapē is the highest form
of love. We want to affirm romantic love and friendship love as significant and
meaningful.

2. All genuine love comes from God because God is love.

3. Followers of Christ are to be known by the way they love.

Jesus commanded His followers: “Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one
another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one
another” (John 13:34-35, CSB). The word Jesus used for love is the verb form
of agapē. The pattern of our love is “as I have loved you.” In other words, we are to
be known by our self-giving, sacrificial, unconditional love for one another. Paul, in 1
Corinthians 13, describes what such love looks like, practically speaking.

Mike Livingstone works at Lifeway Christian Resources as content editor for Explore
the Bible materials.
The Bible says that God is love and that humans crave love from the moment of
existence. But the word love describes an emotion with vastly differing degrees of
intensity.

Four unique forms of love are found in Scripture. They are communicated through
four Greek words (Eros, Storge, Philia, and Agape) and are characterized by romantic
love, family love, brotherly love, and God's divine love. We'll explore these different
types of love in the Bible, and, as we do, we'll discover what love truly means and
how to follow Jesus Christ's command to "love one another."

Eros (Pronounced: AIR-ohs) is the Greek word for sensual or romantic love. The term
originated from the mythological Greek god of love, sexual desire, physical attraction,
and physical love, Eros, whose Roman counterpart was Cupid.

Love in the form of Eros seeks its own interest and satisfaction—to possess the object
of love. God is very clear in the Bible that eros love is reserved for
marriage. Promiscuity of all types was rampant in ancient Greek culture and was one
of the obstacles the apostle Paul had to battle when planting churches in the eastern
Mediterranean. Paul warned young believers against succumbing to immorality: "So I
say to those who aren’t married and to widows—it’s better to stay unmarried, just as I
am. But if they can’t control themselves, they should go ahead and marry. It’s better
to marry than to burn with lust." (1 Corinthians 7:8–9)

But within the boundary of marriage, eros love is to be celebrated and enjoyed as
beautiful blessing from God: "Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of
your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with
delight; be intoxicated always in her love." (Proverbs 5:18–19; see also Hebrews 13:4;
1 Corinthians 7:5; Ecclesiastes 9:9)

Even though the term eros is not found in the Old Testament, Song of
Solomon vividly portrays the passion of erotic love.

Philia (Pronounced: FILL-ee-uh) is the type of intimate love in the Bible that most
Christians practice toward each other. This Greek term describes the powerful
emotional bond seen in deep friendships.

Philia originates from the Greek term phílos, a noun meaning "beloved, dear ... a
friend; someone dearly loved (prized) in a personal, intimate way; a
trusted confidant held dear in a close bond of personal affection." Philia expresses
experience-based love.

Philia is the most general type of love in Scripture, encompassing love for fellow
humans, care, respect, and compassion for people in need. The concept of brotherly
love that unites believers is unique to Christianity. Jesus said philia would be an
identifier of his followers: "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if
you love one another." (John13:35, NIV)

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Abrahamic / Middle Eastern Christianity

4 Types of Love in the Bible

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Learn Religions / Vin Ganapathy
By
Jack Zavada
Updated on May 11, 2020

The Bible says that God is love and that humans crave love from the moment of
existence. But the word love describes an emotion with vastly differing degrees of
intensity.

Four unique forms of love are found in Scripture. They are communicated through
four Greek words (Eros, Storge, Philia, and Agape) and are characterized by romantic
love, family love, brotherly love, and God's divine love. We'll explore these different
types of love in the Bible, and, as we do, we'll discover what love truly means and
how to follow Jesus Christ's command to "love one another."
What Is Eros Love in the Bible?
 Moment Mobile/Getty Images

Eros (Pronounced: AIR-ohs) is the Greek word for sensual or romantic love. The term
originated from the mythological Greek god of love, sexual desire, physical attraction,
and physical love, Eros, whose Roman counterpart was Cupid.

Love in the form of Eros seeks its own interest and satisfaction—to possess the object
of love. God is very clear in the Bible that eros love is reserved for
marriage. Promiscuity of all types was rampant in ancient Greek culture and was one
of the obstacles the apostle Paul had to battle when planting churches in the eastern
Mediterranean. Paul warned young believers against succumbing to immorality: "So I
say to those who aren’t married and to widows—it’s better to stay unmarried, just as I
am. But if they can’t control themselves, they should go ahead and marry. It’s better
to marry than to burn with lust." (1 Corinthians 7:8–9)

But within the boundary of marriage, eros love is to be celebrated and enjoyed as
beautiful blessing from God: "Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of
your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with
delight; be intoxicated always in her love." (Proverbs 5:18–19; see also Hebrews 13:4;
1 Corinthians 7:5; Ecclesiastes 9:9)

Even though the term eros is not found in the Old Testament, Song of
Solomon vividly portrays the passion of erotic love.
What Is Storge Love in the Bible?
 Family Ties That Keep You Strong. Credit: Morsa Images/Getty Images

Storge (Pronounced: STOR-jay) is a term for love in the Bible that you may not be
familiar with. This Greek word describes family love, the affectionate bond that
develops naturally between parents and children, and brothers and sisters.

Many examples of family love are found in Scripture, such as the mutual protection
among Noah and his wife, the love of Jacob for his sons, and the strong love the
sisters Martha and Maryhad for their brother Lazarus. An interesting compound word
using storge, "philostorgos," is found in Romans 12:10, which commands believers to
"be devoted" to one another with brotherly affection.

Christians are members of God's family. Our lives are knit together by something
stronger than physical ties—the bonds of the Spirit. We are related by something
more powerful than human blood—the blood of Jesus Christ. God calls his children to
love each other with the deep affection of storge love.
What Is Philia Love in the Bible?
 Brand X Pictures / Getty Images

Philia (Pronounced: FILL-ee-uh) is the type of intimate love in the Bible that most
Christians practice toward each other. This Greek term describes the powerful
emotional bond seen in deep friendships.

Philia originates from the Greek term phílos, a noun meaning "beloved, dear ... a
friend; someone dearly loved (prized) in a personal, intimate way; a
trusted confidant held dear in a close bond of personal affection." Philia expresses
experience-based love.

Philia is the most general type of love in Scripture, encompassing love for fellow
humans, care, respect, and compassion for people in need. The concept of brotherly
love that unites believers is unique to Christianity. Jesus said philia would be an
identifier of his followers: "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if
you love one another." (John13:35, NIV)
What Is Agape Love in the Bible?
 Image Source: Pixabay

Agape (Pronounced: Uh-GAH-pay) is the highest of the four types of love in the
Bible. This term defines God's immeasurable, incomparable love for humankind. It is
the divine love that comes from God. Agape love is perfect, unconditional, sacrificial,
and pure.

Jesus Christ demonstrated this kind of divine love to his Father and to all humanity in
the way he lived and died: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son,
that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

Following his resurrection, Jesus asked the apostle Peter if he loved him (agape).
Peter replied three times that he did, but the word he used was phileo or brotherly love
(John 21:15–19). Peter had not yet received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost; he was
incapable of agape love. But after Pentecost, Peter was so full of God's love that he
spoke from his heart and 3,000 people were converted.