| |  The divine, unconditional,
self-sacrificing,
active, volitional, and
thoughtful love
of Christ.
(larger image)Strong's Lexicon, G25 defines agapaō as such: - of persons
- to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly
- of things
- to be well pleased, to be contented at or with a thing
|  Fresco of female figure holding
chalice in the Agape Feast Agapē
(larger image)Ancient usage A title of the goddess Isis was agape theon, or "beloved/darling of the gods," denoting her role as a fertility/life goddess and her pairing as a partner with the masculine god aspects. While this pairing was often sexual in nature, the term "agape" implied a genuine affection and deep love for the goddess. Although some sources claim Agape appears in the Odyssey twice, the word is in fact not used. Instead, two forms of the word agape may be found: agapêton and agapazomenoi. Agapêton is found in Book 5 of the Odyssey and means "beloved" or "well-loved". Agapazomenoi is found in books 7 and 17 of the Odyssey and means “to treat with affection”. The verb agapao is used extensively in the Septuagint as the translation of the common Hebrew term for love (אהב 'ahab) which is used to show affection for husband/wife and children, brotherly love, human love for or to God, and God's love for humanity. It is uncertain why agapao was chosen, but similarity of consonant sounds (aḥava) may have played a part. - "I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me." -Proverbs 8:17
- "I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily; he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon;" -Hosea 14:5
- a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. -Ecclesiastes 3:8
It is not impossible that the Greek concept even originated as a transliteration from some Semitic tongue. This usage provides the context for the choice of this otherwise obscure word, in preference to other more common Greek words, as the most frequently used word for love in Christian writings. The use of the noun agape in this way appears to be an innovation of the New Testament writers, but is clearly derived from the use of the verb agapao in the Septuagint. Agape in Christianity See also: 1 Corinthians 13 |  Rest on the Flight to Egypt, Artist:
Martino Altomonte. Date: 1737.
(larger image) The Christian usage of the term agape comes almost directly from the canonical Gospels' account of the teachings and ministry of Jesus. When asked what was the greatest commandment, Jesus said, "'Love (agapao) the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 'This is the great and first commandment. 'And a second is like it: You shall love (agapao) your neighbor as yourself.' 'On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets." " (Matthew 22:37-40 ESV) At the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said: You have heard that it was said, 'Love (agapao) your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love (agapao) your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Christian writers have generally described agape, as expounded on by Jesus, as a form of love which is both unconditional and voluntary. Tertullian, in his 2nd century defense of Christians remarks how Christian love attracted pagan notice: "What marks us in the eyes of our enemies is our loving kindness. 'Only look,' they say, 'look how they love one another'" (Apology 39). In the New Testament the word agape is often used to describe the Love of God. - Romans 8:39: "nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.";
- 2 Corinthians 13:14: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.";
- 1 John 4:9: "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.";
- Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30, and Luke 10:27 —quoted from the Old Testament book Deuteronomy 6:5 — ("Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength")
However, the verb form agapaō (ἀγαπάω) is at times used in a negative sense, where it retains its more general meaning of "affection" rather than divine love. Such examples include: - 2 Timothy 4:10—"…for Demas has forsaken me, having loved [agapao] this present world…."
- John 12:43—"for they loved [agapao] the praise of men more than the praise from God."
- John 3:19—"but men loved [agapao] darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil."
Agape as a meal Main article: Agape feast The word agape in its plural form is used in the New Testament to describe a meal or feast eaten by early Christians, as in Jude 1:12, and 2 Peter 2:13. It is sometimes believed to be either related to the Eucharist, or another term used for the Eucharist. See Also References - Agape as a term for love or affection is rarely used in ancient manuscripts. According to Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (Love definition) the word is believed to have been coined by the Bible authors from the verb agapao
- Lampert Khen, Traditions of Compassion; from Religious Duty to Social Activism, Palgrave-Macmillan, 2006
- Lewis, C. S. (June 5, 2002). The Four Loves. Fount. ISBN 0-00-628089-7.
- Lewis, C. S. (2001). Mere Christianity: a revised and amplified edition, with a new introduction, of the three books, Broadcast talks, Christian behaviour, and Beyond personality.
[San Francisco]: HarperSanFrancisco. ISBN 0-06-065292-6. - Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for agapē (Strong's 26)". Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2008. 23 Nov 2008. < http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm? Strongs=G26&t=KJV >
- agape. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/agape (accessed: November 23, 2008).
- Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for 'ahab (Strong's 157)". Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2009. 17 Jun 2009.
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