Which of the four types of love is more important?
Welcome, friends, brothers, and sisters in Christ.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Welcome to my blog!
Today, I am reflecting on a song by Cory Asbury:
“Reckless Love,” click HERE to see the lyrics video.
As another St. Valentine’s Day approaches, everyone will focus on love. In English, we use the word “love” to express an emotion one person has for another. Husbands say they love their wives, and wives say they love their husbands, daughters, sons, friends, etc. Are we discussing affection, attraction, care, or sacrifice?
Love is love, right?
Regarding love, most people turn to 1 Corinthians 13 to read the Bible’s teachings.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV
Take note of the last verse, “Love Never Fails.”
Yet, in today’s world, we see love falling short. The divorce rate is sky-high. Family members betray one another for the love of money or fortune. Mothers and fathers abandon their children due to hardship. Friends stab each other in the back to climb the ladder of opportunities. I can go on, but you get the picture.
So, how can the Word of God suggest that love never fails?
It’s fascinating that God chose Greek to inspire much of the New Testament. This language employs precise words that accurately convey the writer’s intentions. Each word acts like a heat-seeking missile. When you read the New Testament in English, you’ll often encounter the word “love” in various contexts. However, if you study the Bible carefully and look up the Greek term for love, you’ll find that they differ significantly in many respects.
Four Greek words are translated as “love” in English. Two are found in the Bible, and one more stems from a variation of the root listed below.
Let’s take a look at each one.
Storge
Family love (sisters, brothers, mothers, etc.) may be the second type of love we encounter as we grow from infancy into our teenage years. Our mother and/or father care for us. We hug our parents and feel safe. We look after and protect our brothers and sisters. It is a family bond that is difficult to break.
Yet, this love fails. Family members frequently argue over money, relatives, friends, and other reasons.
This Greek word appears in a variation of 2 Timothy 3:3 and in other parts of the New Testament. The term used is “astorgos,” which is translated as unloving. The “a” preceding “storgos” signifies a lack of love.
Phileo
Brotherly love among friends is a bond we experience between teammates, warfighters, and others. This represents the third type of love we may encounter growing up. As we start attending school and participating in sports, we connect with friends with similar interests in sports, music, movies, toys, and games.
Yet this love fails. Rifts often arise between friends; different interests may emerge, new girlfriends or boyfriends appear, jealousy creeps in, and so on.
This Greek word is found throughout the New Testament, and Philadelphia’s city name is derived from it.
Eros
This love is erotic, sensual, romantic, or based on attraction. It can be seen as the fourth type of love we encounter. This attraction is what many in today’s society call love. It signifies the feelings you develop for the opposite sex as you age. Often, in a society disconnected from God, when a husband says, “I love my wife,” this is likely the type of love he means.
Yet this love fails. Many divorces today are labeled “irreconcilable differences.” This is another way of saying: You gained weight, you snore, you can’t cook, you’re too old, you drink too much; I could go on.
This Greek word does not appear in the New Testament. The Old Testament book Song of Songs serves as the closest analogy to it.
Agape
God’s love for humanity is the FIRST love you encounter. Are you surprised? The Bible states that God knew us before we were born.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…”
Jeremiah 1:5
“We love because He first loved us.”
1 John 4:19
In the book of Revelation, chapter 2, verse 4, Jesus addresses the church in Ephesus:
“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”
Revelation 2:2-4
The word “love” in that verse refers to Agape love!
Jesus Christ, our creator, is our First Love!
Agape love is unconditional, relentless, reckless, and sacrificial, doing anything to win the beloved. This love does not depend on the recipient’s actions to endure.
“But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.”
Luke 6:32
This love will never abandon the recipient. The Bible states that God is love in 1 John 4:8. Jesus Christ, who is God in the flesh, embodied this love when He sacrificed Himself for us on the cross to forgive our sins and pay the penalty for them, allowing God to have fellowship with the object of His love. In the book of John, this is illustrated in detail:
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
THIS LOVE NEVER FAILS
Let’s reread 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, but this time, substitute the word ‘love’ with the name of Jesus.
Jesus is patient; Jesus is kind. Jesus does not envy nor boast; Jesus is not proud. Jesus does not dishonor others and is not self-seeking; Jesus is not easily angered nor keeps a record of wrongs. Jesus does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Jesus always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Jesus never fails.”
Now let’s try adding “Our Name” in place of “love,” and see how it resonates, how this verse speaks to us and convicts us.
Jesus emphasized this to make a strong point:
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
John 15:13
There are three types of human love, and God’s love is the glue that keeps them from falling apart. Storge’s, Phileo’s, and Eros’s love will never fail when Agape’s love is present in our hearts. We will always stand by our family, our friends, and the love of our lives.
However, some argue that human beings can’t experience Agape love!
With God, nothing is impossible. The Bible says a “Rope of Three Strands” is not quickly broken:
Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:12
If a man and a woman love each other, that creates two strands. The third strand is Jesus Christ, living within and in our hearts!
If we cannot manifest Agape love, we must possess and invite He, the personification of agape love, into our hearts. Most divorces happen because Jesus Christ is not present in the marriage or has been forgotten, pushed aside as a second thought. When Jesus is absent, the enemy, the devil, loves to fill this vacuum in the relationship.
The devil has a mission to destroy everything God loves. He likes to divide and conquer, using deception, arrogance, pride, and the lust of the eyes to attack at least one partner in a Christian marriage.
The enemy comes and overpowers one or the other. With God as the third strand, if the enemy attacks one lover, the other two combat through prayers and the Word of God, and love will never fail!
I can testify to this. My wonderful wife has told me she prays when I go through dark seasons and become self-centered. Sometimes, she quotes a Bible verse during those periods, which profoundly affects me. The Holy Spirit convicts me, and I get on my knees. God the Father then lifts my head and restores me.
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
A great movie that showcases this is “War Room.” I highly encourage you to watch it if you haven’t seen it.
I thank God for my wife! She is my “Help Meet!”
Abba, Father!
Forgive us, for we have forgotten what love is and how to love. You are Love, Father! And in Your Son, Jesus Christ, mankind has encountered pure love. It is Your Love that enables us to love unconditionally. So we pray that You bless us with the Holy Spirit, and through Him, we learn to love humanity and lead others to Christ Jesus. Lead us, Lord, to love others as You Agape Love us. We pray that You help strengthen weak marriages for Your name’s sake and glory.
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Amen!
To God, be the glory!
Our Lord Jesus Christ created everything! By Him, For Him!
“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-25
Disclaimer
When God inspires me, I write blogs. Consider this writing as a Bible study. Like the Bereans In Acts 17:11, search the Scriptures to determine whether what I write is so. Always consult with your church ministers about biblical matters. I am also not a professional writer, so some grammar or spelling errors may be. I try my best to write as efficiently as possible. Your brother, In-Christ, Ricardo
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Check out my book “Battle Strategy: God’s Plan Amid Chaos.” It’s packed with helpful insights into Bible study and understanding. You can get a free digital version on my website. Fifty percent of the proceeds from this book go to helping children. The book covers the main biblical points and salvation, so you’ll find something valuable.
#Jesus, #God, #HolySpirit, #Bible, #Israel, #prayer, #wisdom, #faith, #battle, #leader, #border, #spiritual
Leave a comment or reply, I will love to hear from you!