A question from a novice!
Steven Craig Miller
scmiller at www.plantnet.com
Mon Mar 20 09:53:20 EST 2000
To: Peter Osborne,
<< I have a question on the definition of AGAPH: What distinguishes this
word from other Greek words meaning love? From its usage in 1 John 3:16 and
elsewhere, I have always connected this word with self-sacrifice or self
denial. However hardly any lexicons I have used seem to make this link. >>
That the cognate AGAPAW does not always refer to "self-sacrifice" can be
illustrated from John 3:16.
"For God so loved [HGAPHSEN] the world that he gave his only Son ..." (John
3:16a NRSV).
The point here is that the sacrifice is God's "Son."
-Steven Craig Miller
Alton, Illinois (USA)
scmiller at www.plantnet.com
FWIW: I'm neither a clergy-person, nor an academic (and I have no post-grad
degrees).
More information about the B-Greek
mailing list