The Vocabulary of Divine Love (Bulletin Insert: 3/7/21)

 

The Vocabulary of Divine Love

(Pastor Terry L. Reese; Valley GBC, Armagh, PA; March 7, AD 2021)

 

I. A Study in Terminologies. “Love” is spoken of in many ways!

A. The Love of God: expressed in the Greek word agapê.

Interestingly, the NT uses, as its most common & frequent term for “love” a term that had not been used either commonly or prominently within prior Greek literature; the term agapê.

 

B. There were other Greek terms currently available for “love:”

1. storgê: This refers to “natural affection;” a familial-type love. It is not used within the NT, except as a negative adjective (cf. Rom. 1:31, 2 Tim. 3:3; “unloving,” “without natural affection”).

 

2. erôs: A possessive-type love usually associated with sensual desire (i.e., “erotic”). Despite its popularity within extra-Biblical Greek literature, the NT avoids the usage of this term.

 

3. phileô: Associated with friendship (i.e., the love of friends). It appears as the second most popular term used for “love” within the NT—though it is the most popular term used within pre-Biblical Greek literature.

 

C. So, why the was the term agapê employed by the NT writers?

“…it [agapê] was an orphan word, without any fixed heritage to give it special meaning within Greek thought. It is this word that the NT adopts and infuses with unique meaning. This word was chosen by the NT writers to convey to future generations the unique dimensions and overwhelming depth of God’s love and to explore the impact of that love on human beings.”—Lawrence O. Richards

 

The Biblical writers adopted this obscure word and imported their own meaning into it, making it distinctive of a godly, uncommon, and unique form of Love within a fallen world.

 

II. Love as a Divine Attribute defined (McClain & Whitcomb):

“That in God which moves Him to give Himself and His gifts [and His beloved Son] spontaneously, voluntarily, righteously, and eternally, for the good of personal beings, regardless of their merit or response.”

 

Biblical Agape is something is concerned with the greatest good of others, rather than with self. Agape is not simply a matter of emotion &, feeling, but is a matter of will, involving choice. Agape requires faithfulness, commitment, & sacrifice, without expecting anything in return from the beloved. It involves deliberate striving for another’s highest good, and is demonstrated through action.