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 Appendixes To The Companion Bible

APPENDIX 135
 

THE SYNONYMOUS WORDS FOR "LOVE"


I.
THE VERB

1. agapao = to regard with favour, to make much of a thing or a person, on principle. The cause or ground of No.2.

2. phileo = to kiss, to be fond of, having regard to feeling as distinct from principle. The demonstration of No.1. Hence No 2 is never used of man's love to God: this is always No.1. Both words are used of God's love to man. No.2 is used of the Lord's love for Lazarus (John 11:3,36) but not in v.5, where the sisters are included. See the notes on John 21:15-17; and on John 12:25.


II.
THE NOUN

1. agape. No. 2 below, was the common word used by the Greeks, for love; and even this is far lower than the N.T. philadelphia {= love of the brethren}. Agape is spontaneous love, irrespective of "rights". The word was supposed to be peculiar to the N.T., but it is found in the Papyri.

2. philanthropia = philanthropy, or love of man, which did not go beyond giving man his "rights", among the Greeks. It is used in a highter sense in Tit 3:4; occurs elsewhere only in Acts 28:2. Cp the Adverb philanthropos (Acts 27:3, "courteously").


III. THE ADJECTIVE

agapetos = beloved. The word used of the Lord Jesus by the Father. See Matt 3:17; 12:18; 17:5. Mark 1:11; 9:7. Luke 3:22; and in Mark 12:6. Luke 20:13, by Himself. A special epithet of the Saints in the Epistles.

 


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