Agape Love: The Many Meanings
Did you know that a few days ago, on February 9, International Greek language day was celebrated?
The Greek language, once you investigate it, is mysterious and beautiful. It is also mathematical and poetic.
A Greek word – agape -αγαπη, that dates back to the time of Plato in 500 BCE has several concepts or meanings still used to this day. It is such a powerful word with many forms of expression.
Martin Luther King, Jr. believed that agape was a central concept in his Christian faith and in his philosophy of nonviolence. He described agape as a pure, creative, and spontaneous love that is directed toward all people.
Agape- αγαπη an ancient Greek word translates to an "understanding, redeeming goodwill for all men." Agape in the Old and New Testament simply take on a form of love which is self-less and unconditional.
Paul in the New Testament spoke about A Way of Love which can sustain life.
The Way of Love
1 Corinthias 13: If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing. If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.
Philia or φιλια is another expression of love in the Greek language. I adore this word as describes friendship or brotherly love. A philia is a relationship you have with your bestie or family friend.
Eros or ερωσ is a form of love, linked to romance. Think of your Valentine’s date or your spouse.
Stroge or στρογε is a fantastic form of love which is between family members and is a strong source of comfort and familiarity. Mothers have a strong form of stroge with their children.
Greek words have life. They have been living for over 40 centuries, and their contribution to society is vast with hundreds of concepts being formed.
With over 150,000 words of the English language being derived from the Greek lexicon, I believe that Agape- αγαπη love is the greatest of all for if you live by this testament, you will be at peace and feel a sense of wellbeing from its power.
As we move forward during the month of February, celebrating the healthy heart and its great capacity to love, I wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day and the unconditional agape for all in your life.
Sending you filakia- kisses,
Kiki