As the world celebrates Valentines Day today, love no doubt fills the air. It is but fitting that we talk about this word love in the days to come. Let is therefore explore the meaning and the depth of the word itself and in order to fully understand it we have to go to the source of love which is God himself as expressed in his Word.
The writing in the New Testament was written in the ancient Greek. If we only have one word for love in English, the ancient greeks have 5 different words for love. In the English language, to properly distinguish the meaning of a single word, the context of the sentence is considered in order to fully appreciate the meaining of the word. In contrast when using New Testament Greek or "koine Greek" the context is given minimal consideration since the word itself conveys the full meaning. As an illustration, in English when we say we love our dog, we love our country, we love our parents and we love our wife, we are obviously not referring to the same kind of love. However in Koine greek different words for the word love is used for different kinds of purposes.
English is undoubtedly the "lingua franca" of the world, but I believe the ancient Greeks did a better job of expressing the word love than the English language does.
1.) Agape -Refers to a "pure" and "ideal" type of love. Often use for "the love of God" or "such love that is willing to sacrifice one's life for another person." Its derivative, "Agapo" is used to say "I love you".
2.) Eros - Is being use to refer to "passionate love", or "sensual desire and longing." This kind of love is often used for romantic relationships.
3.) Philia - Commonly known as "brotherly love" This concept of "virtuous love", was developed by Aristotle. This is the "love" felt for family, friends and the community as a whole.
4.) Storge - Is being used to describe natural affection. Children are said to feel this kind of love for their parents.
5.) Xenia - Is often referred to as "hospitality." Ths best example of this is when a host and his guest forms a special friendship.
Now wouldn't you agree with me that the ancient Greeks did a far more better job of expressing the word "Love" than we do in the English ?
The writing in the New Testament was written in the ancient Greek. If we only have one word for love in English, the ancient greeks have 5 different words for love. In the English language, to properly distinguish the meaning of a single word, the context of the sentence is considered in order to fully appreciate the meaining of the word. In contrast when using New Testament Greek or "koine Greek" the context is given minimal consideration since the word itself conveys the full meaning. As an illustration, in English when we say we love our dog, we love our country, we love our parents and we love our wife, we are obviously not referring to the same kind of love. However in Koine greek different words for the word love is used for different kinds of purposes.
English is undoubtedly the "lingua franca" of the world, but I believe the ancient Greeks did a better job of expressing the word love than the English language does.
1.) Agape -Refers to a "pure" and "ideal" type of love. Often use for "the love of God" or "such love that is willing to sacrifice one's life for another person." Its derivative, "Agapo" is used to say "I love you".
2.) Eros - Is being use to refer to "passionate love", or "sensual desire and longing." This kind of love is often used for romantic relationships.
3.) Philia - Commonly known as "brotherly love" This concept of "virtuous love", was developed by Aristotle. This is the "love" felt for family, friends and the community as a whole.
4.) Storge - Is being used to describe natural affection. Children are said to feel this kind of love for their parents.
5.) Xenia - Is often referred to as "hospitality." Ths best example of this is when a host and his guest forms a special friendship.
Now wouldn't you agree with me that the ancient Greeks did a far more better job of expressing the word "Love" than we do in the English ?
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