Hopefully in this lifetime you will have the joy of hearing someone ask you how much do you love them. Some of the statements you hear will not be for every person you love, for there are some criteria that do not fit for every love that you will experience in this lifetime.

We are all aware of the love called Agape. Of all the things that I could say, let me first say we are emotional beings. Meaning, we tie emotions to everything. However, this love is more than mere emotions. Agape pronounced (Agap-ay).

In scripture you will see this term under two different Greek numbers. The first is Strong's #25 (Agapaō - Verb).  Since it is a verb, we see action through this love numbered 25.  It is active, showing affection and benevolence. This is a volitional and unconditional love.  This particular love shows awareness.  A good example of this is epitomized in John 3:16 -

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave that he only begotten son that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.

As an essential component of the language, a verb requires something to be done as proof of its existence or veracity.

The second Greek numbers for love is found in Strong's concordance #26 (Agapē - Noun). It is in the same family of love but spelled differently. This love is the actual love itself. Being a noun, it tells us what it is. This love shows not what it does, but what it is. Indicating from where this love extends, its origination. It is unconditional a divine love whose point of origin is God. It is a love feast.

1 John 4:8 – “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”

Notice what it says, “God is love.”

Also see Romans 5:8 stating: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”.

Did you notice the motif between the two. Both said this particular love is from within God The Father. It is HIS love. For GOD is LOVE.

Agape (ἀγάπη) is a Greek term for love that represents the highest form of selfless, unconditional, and sacrificial love. Unlike philia (friendship) or eros (romantic love), Agape is a deliberate choice of the will to prioritize the welfare of others, regardless of whether it is earned or returned.

You will have love for your family, siblings, parents called STORGE (pronounced Stor-gay).  It is a love that is instinctive. It is affectionate and natural. It represents the natural, instinctive, and affectionate love between family members, parents, children, siblings, or extended relatives.

There is a love called Philia (φιλία).  Philia is a love that is sometimes more deeper than a sexual love. Nevertheless, this love is based on shared values, loyalty, and a mutual respect for one another. It is a brotherly love and a powerful companionship between equals. A love of mad respect for each other, if you will.

Eros is the Greek love that involves passionate, intense desire, romantic love, and physical attraction. Love between husband and wives. Between men and women. It is a touchy-feely kind of love. Today I speak of this kind of love and although some of the points I make within the confounds of this discussion, I’m speaking of relationship love between a man and a woman.

There is more than one type of love but the love I’m explaining today through this definition is love between people sharing:

• Enough - to never look outside my relationship with you for anything or anyone else. . .
• Enough - to never cheat on you or betray your trust…
• Enough - to respect you for who you are …
• Enough - to listen to you even when we disagree …
• Enough - to notice, console/comfort you when you’re going through a situation…
• Enough - to always remember how important you are to me …
• Enough - to love God The Father more than you so that my love for you and your place in my life never gets lost in the shuffle of life …

If any of these core components are lacking in your relationship, then so is the love you diligently profess to have for that person.

Pastor Ken
4/15/26