- “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” – Romans 12:9
- “This is my commandment, that ye love one another as I have loved you.” – John 15:12
The term ‘love’ has been used and abused in today’s usage. This is because the English language which is our lingua franca has no vocabulary to express the different connotations of it; therefore we are left with just one word ‘love’ to describe every kind of it. But the Greek language, from which the New Testament is translated distinguishes between the different types of it as we can see shortly.
What does the bible say about love?
Because of space constraint, I will not be able to discuss this fully. But suffice it to say that love, as described in the book of first Corinthians 13, is referred to as ‘charity’ which, in this context, means tolerant and impartial love. Read further, you see that love is not selfish, neither boastful nor envious. This is the kind of love that exists in heaven.
This is why we are told that even if we speak with tongues of men and angels but have not love, we are like the sounding (noisy) brass. And that even if we have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and have the faith that can move mountains, without love we are nothing before God (See 1Corinthians 13:1-2). This is because God is love, and love is the greatest of all Christian virtues.
Kinds of Love
1. AGAPE: This is unconditional love. It is selfless, spiritual and pure. This is the God’s kind of love described in Romans 5:8 as it is written “but God commendeth his love towards us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”
2. EROS: This has its root from ‘Eros’ (the Greek god of love). The Romans call it ‘cupid’. Eros love implies sensual desire, and longings driven by passion. For Christians, this kind of love is only allowed in marriage relationships, outside it, it is lust, and lust is sin. This is why we are enjoined in 2Timothy 2:22, “flee also youthful lusts but follow righteousness …”
3. PHILIA: This word is rooted in the Greek ‘Philos’ meaning ‘loving’. This kind of love is not necessarily passionate although it is affectionate. It implies friendship. It also includes loyalty to friends, family, community or country. This is the kind of love that existed between David and Jonathan. There was no impure feeling or attraction between them, as some misguided folks (homosexuals) would want people to believe. Recall that David referred to Jonathan as ‘my brother’ in 2Samuel 1:26. The love between them was pure love, born out of true friendship.
4. STORGE: This means ‘affection’ that is, natural affection, such as the one felt by parents for their children or the other way round.
In conclusion, The Point made in this discussion is that any passion driven by selfish and sensual motive is not love but rather on the side of lust. The Bible has warned that lust destroys. We are told to ‘flee’ (i.e. run without looking back; run for your life). Love to a true Christian, is the way of life not just a February 14 celebration.
God’s kind of love is pure, driven by the desire to do good. But let no one think that because this kind of love is patient, tolerant and impartial, then the principle can be taken for granted. The Bible makes it clear that “God is not mocked, whatsoever you sow you must reap (sooner or later). The loving God is also the judging (or judgemental) God. He says no one can escape who neglects his great love and offer of salvation (Heb. 2:3). That is why the greatest of all laws is to love God with all our hearts and soul, and the second is to love our neighbours as ourselves” Mat. 12:30-31. The first step is to give your life to Christ.
Memory Verses:
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love (1John 4:8)
Hatred stireth up strifes but (pure) love covereth all sins (Prov. 10:12)
