What “Agape” Love Really Means
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Verse of the Day:
“In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” – 1 John 4:9–10 NKJV
When the New Testament speaks of love, it often uses the Greek word ἀγάπη (agape). But agape is not just another word for affection or romance. In fact, Greek has multiple words for “love,” each with a different meaning:
philia — brotherly friendship or mutual affection
storge — natural, familial love
eros — romantic or passionate love
agape — selfless, sacrificial love that seeks the good of another without expecting anything in return
What sets agape apart is its source: it is the kind of love that flows from God Himself. It’s not driven by feelings or attraction — it’s a deliberate choice to love, even when it’s costly.
Agape in Action
In 1 John 4:9–10, we see agape in its purest form: God sending His only begotten Son to die for us before we loved Him back. This wasn’t an equal exchange. We had nothing to offer, yet He gave us everything.
In the early church, agape was radical because it broke social and cultural barriers. This love extended to the undeserving, the unlovable, and even to enemies — echoing Jesus’ own words in Matthew 5:44:
“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you…”
Why This Matters for Us
To live with agape love means to love others because God first loved us (1 John 4:19). It means showing grace to those who can’t repay you, forgiving when it hurts, and serving without recognition.
Even in subtle ways — a kind word, an act of service, or the message on a shirt you wear — agape can shine through. In a world that often measures love by what it gets in return, agape points to the God who gives without limit.
Reflection Question:
Who in your life needs to experience agape love from you this week?