What Koine Greek Words are Translated Love in English:

iris89 · Pit Bull Joined: 16 Nov 2002 Posts: 359

Hi Everyone:

What are the Koine Greek for Love? There are four used in Bible literature and they are as follows:

Agape = Love from God - unconditional, does not depend on the object. Agape love is supernatural and only comes from God. We can only reflect it, we cannot produce it.
1 Cor chap 13, the characteristics of agape are listed.
Mark 10:51 Amazingly Jesus looked at the Rich young Ruler and loved him, "agape"!

Phileo = Friendship, from knowledge and appreciation of the object.
John 21:15-17 Agape and phileo: Simon, {son} of Jonas, lovest (agape) thou me? Yea Lord, thou knowest that I love (phileo) thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep (little lambs). He saith to him again the second time, Simon, {son} of Jonas, lovest (agape) thou me? He saith unto him, yea Lord thou knowest that I love (phileo) thee. He saith unto him feed (shepherd) my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, {son} of Jonas, lovest (phileo) thou me? Peter was grieved because he said to him a third time lovest (phileo) thou me? And he saith unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love (phileo) thee. Jesus saith unto him, feed my sheep. Peter cannot bring himself to say "agape", because he has recently denied Jesus 3 times. He knows that Jesus would just say "well, why did you deny me?". This is a poignant narrative that cuts right down to Peter's soul. The three denials of Peter, and the three questions of Jesus, much better than "scolding" Peter.

Storgas = Natural affection - family love, even animals have it by instinct.
2 Tim 3:3 In the last days, some will be without natural affection = astorgas.

Eros = Physical love (intercourse)

Your Friend Iris89, Ordained Minister of the Gospel attached to Home Missionary Extension Service

composer · Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2003 4:15 pm Post subject: storgas?

thanks Iris89,

I have not come across "storgas" before?

I did a search at the Nestle-Aland Greek Dictionary -
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/resolveform?lookup=storgas&type=begin&lang=greek&searchText=&options=Sort+Results+Alphabetically&formentry=1&lang=greek

but it does not give a hit re storgas but states:

The string "storgas" appears to be an inflected form rather than a dictionary entry.

Remember: in Greek anthrôpos, the nominative singular, serves as the dictionary entry; anthrôpou, anthrôpôi etc. are inflected forms whose defintions are listed under anthrôpos.

If you have any useful articles re: Koine Love, I would love to read them, can you send to composer@tpg.com.au

I too picked up an article but it only mentions 3 types of love. I could send that to you also?

Regards