4 Types of Biblical Love

Throughout the English Bible we see the word, “love” used numerous times, but did you know that in the original manuscripts of the text there are different words and types of our single word for love? The Bible was translated from the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek into modern languages that we can read and comprehend today, but when we dig into the original language of the Word, we find hidden meanings, deeper context, and a fuller understanding of what the scripture seeks to convey. It also helps us to see that the Lord loves us in different ways, and how we can love one another by following His example of love in a myriad of forms.

Although there is some debate about Aramaic and Greek, according to Logos Bible, Greek was the main language of the New Testament, though not the sole language, “it is clear that the scholarly consensus that the New Testament was written in Greek is correct. The Aramaic (and perhaps sometimes Hebrew) words of Jesus and his earliest followers still grace some pages of the New Testament, either explicitly or implicitly.” (Longacre, 1). This is why we diving into the complexities and dynamics of the Greek can allow us to have a firmer, more rooted comprehension of just what the scripture is saying. Although only phileo and agape are explicitly used in the New Testament it is imperative to glean understanding from all four types of love in the Greek when studying scripture so that we may have the fuller picture.

Storge: Family Love

Storge, pronounced, “story-JAY” is used for a family type of love. This kind of love is not limited to those whom you share DNA with, rather, it serves as the love we ought to have for one another as brothers and sisters in faith as God’s children. CompellingTruth.org offers the reflection of, “Another version of the term storge is found in Romans 12:10. This version of storge is the compound philostorgos, which means to "be devoted." Literally, this compound is broken down to mean "to love one's kindred." Romans 12:10 calls Christians to "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." Although philostorgos is only used once in the New Testament, God repeats His command that we must love one another because, as believers, we are all part of His family.” (CompellingTruth.org).

Although storge love is found as part of a compound word directly in Scripture understanding its call to us is both challenging and encouraging. We can exercise this love by honoring one another with compassion, kindness, and respect. Honoring another son or daughter in God’s family through storge love is a way to honor God as our Father.

Phileo / Philia: Brotherly Love with Commitment

Like storge love but with a deeper commitment made in the action of loving is that of phileo or philia (pronounced fee-LEE-ah) love (masculine and feminine form of the word). We see this form of love expressed in the story of how Jesus loved Lazarus. In John 11:35-36 it explains, “Jesus wept. So the Jews were saying, “See how He loved him!”. This form of love differs from storge in that it holds within it a deeper connection, a deeper loyalty, and a deeper dedication to one another.

Phileo love engages the giver and the recipient in a form of love in which a bond is made between two people. We see this kind of devotion between David and Johnathan in the Old Testament as well, with a bond that is beyond that of brotherhood. We can love in this way when we make the intentional decision to walk with someone in life with consistency, fidelity, and assurance of staying the course. This kind of living in phileo/philia love may be a promise made to one another in, or it may be an unspoken pledge, but it is one that is lived out in both glory days and in hardship. It is a kind of kindred spirit connection that is rooted first and foremost in God, and then in platonic relationship with another person. If you do not have someone who walks with you or does life with you in this way, there is a beautiful opportunity for you to ask the Lord to bring someone of His choosing to be such a companion.

Eros: Romantic Love

Perhaps the association we make most often concerning the word, “love” is that of romantic love. Eros, pronounced AIR-os, is not directly used in the New Testament, but the concept of love in eros form is throughout the Old and New Testaments in connection to romantic love. We can experience a deeper understanding of God’s love for us through the study of eros love in seeing that He delights in marriages He Authors.

Romantic love is something that has been given as a gift from God to mankind on this earth. It is clear from Eden that God intended man and woman to not just enter the covenant of marriage for the purpose of procreation, but for the intimacy and fruitful relationship that is cultivated through such a connection. The Bible is quite clear that such love should not be stained by participating in sexual intimacy before marriage (Song of Songs 2:7 and 1 Corinthians 6:18). This does not mean that sex is something dirty, rather, it is saying that it is something so precious, holy, and sacred that it deserves the respect of a covenant. The clear distinction between lust and love is the rooting of the passion; is it a carnal urge or is it a desire that extends beyond the flesh into a spiritually honoring commitment in marriage? This honors God and it honors those who are engaging in the act. God designed sex and the eros form of love to be something of distinct and unique splendor, and it deserves to be given and received in such a way that honor’s God’s original intention.

Agape: Selfless, Sacrificial, and Unconditional

The greatest of all forms of love, and perhaps the most important to study is that of agape love, pronounced uh-GAH-pay. Agape love was the love carried out and expressed by God’s love in the giving of His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins. In John 3:16 we come to understand,

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16

The word for love in John 3:16 is, “agapaō” which points the selfless, sacrificial, and immense love of God for mankind through the work of Christ on the cross. Agape love is also carried out in that it is without condition, meaning we have done nothing to make ourselves worthy of such a love. Romans 5:8 explains,

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

The word for love here yet again is agape, and it sheds light upon the understanding we can glean that agape love from God is something He offers us freely. We have done nothing and can do nothing to earn this love, rather, it is something He has graciously given because of Who He is, because of His character. What a relief it is that we are beneficiaries of such a love, and it is not something that we must tirelessly strive to obtain. We can instead invest and focus our efforts to honor the sacrifice of Christ by living a changed life and by offering agape love towards those around us.

1 John 4:7 uses the agape phrasing of love to invite us into that changed way of living by challenging us to,

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7

How we live and love reveals where our hearts are rooted and to whom we belong. Are we living and loving others in such a way that reflects the agape love of God, or are we living and loving in a way that reflects the love of self, of money, or of things of this world? As hard as it is we cannot escape that how we treat others, how we love others, and how we love each other exposes where our hearts find their ultimate commitment and devotion. A beautiful aspect of God’s agape love for us is that if and when we miss the mark, because as fallen and sinful humans we will miss the mark at times, we can come before the Lord to ask Him for His help.

An Invitation to Love:

Love in all these forms is showcased in how God loves us, and we are not just on the receiving end of such dynamic types of love, we can be the stewards of it as well. When we come into relationship with God through salvation through Christ we are adopted as His children, and we carry His Spirit within us through indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. We then have this matchless and distinctive role to be conduits of His love to others. We can love like God because we have been shown, and we have experienced God’s love towards us in such exceptional ways. May we not take such ways of love for granted, rather, may we continuously seek God as to how to love others, how to love ourselves, and how to love God as imitators of He Who is Love. (1 John 4:16).

Sources:

https://www.lwf.org/keys-to-healthy-relationships/understanding-the-different-types-of-love-in-the-bible

https://geb.tv/4-types-of-love-found-in-the-bible/#:~:text=Agape%20in%20the%20Bible.%20The%20highest%20and,have%20life%20everlasting%20with%20Him%20in%20Heaven.

https://www.logos.com/grow/min-was-the-new-testament-written-in-hebrew-aramaic-or-greek/#:~:text=Conclusion,Testament%2C%20either%20explicitly%20or%20implicitly.