As English-speaking people, our ability to communicate specifics is somewhat limited. A prime example of that is the word love. I might love a vacation spot. I might love the new car. I might love a friend. I might love a pet. I might love my spouse. I might love an opportunity. All of these are expressions of emotion. Even though the word love is mentioned in the statements, it is assumed that the feeling we call love is different in each case. The Greek language is much more proficient to explain the act of love.
The word eros usually refers to passion and intensity especially between the sexes. This word does not appear in the New Testament. It is this word from which we get our English word erotic.
The word storge is that kind of affection within a family. (This word is not equated to Christian love.) It can also have something to do with patriotism. This word does not appear in the New Testament.
The word philia carries with it warmth and regard. It might speak of friendship or even the love between a husband and wife. An example of the New Testament is the love Jesus had for Lazarus and his beloved disciple. Often, we might refer to this as brotherly love, but is more than that.
And the word agape is not an emotional word but has more to do with the mind. It is a decision independent of the person being loved. In John 3:16 God loves the whole world or has made a decision based on who he is and not who we are. This word or its derivative occurs 250 times in the New Testament. This type of love demands involvement within the whole person.
When Jesus said that we are to love our enemies, it would be impossible unless we view it as an attitude of mind and direction toward them no matter who they are. The focus of agape love is not on the human but on the characteristic of the divine. If we are going to focus on our fellow human beings, it must be the overpowering outreach of the Holy Spirit. When we surrender to God and worship him it is not to his power but to his love.
William Barclay tells us about God’s love for man. It is because of the nature of God. It is a universal love toward all humankind. God’s love is sacrificial like the supreme death of Jesus on the cross because no one deserves God’s love. This means his love is merciful, saving, sanctifying, and strengthening. The nature of God’s love is inseparable meaning that nothing can come between a person and God’s love. His love is rewarding because the promises he makes in Scripture are greater than anything in this life. Since God is love and loves he also chastens, disciplines those who are the target of his love. It is impossible to have a right relationship with God if we do not love others; if we allow anything to come between human and human. As it holds the family together, so does human love hold Christian fellowship together.
Jesus asked Peter if he loved him. Repeatedly, Peter replied that he had philia love for Christ when Jesus was asking if he had an agape love for him. This was not only a challenge to Peter, but it was also a lesson for him to learn that in his later service for God it had to be based on divine love and not brotherly love. This is the case for all of us who claim to know Christ is our Savior and wish to live an obedient life.
Christian Writer 