AGAPH outside the New Testament

Larry Baker lbaker at accs.edu
Fri Jun 7 16:15:09 EDT 2002


A significant use of AGAPH in its noun form came with the LXX and the
Greek New Testament.  Such use drew from its earlier Greek meaning.
“Particularly characteristic are the instances in which AGAPAN takes on
the meaning of ‘to prefer,’ ‘to set one good or aim above another,’ ‘to
esteem one person more highly than another.’” (TDNT, vol. 1 - Stauffer
1964, p.36)  However, beyond this in the LXX and New Testament, the
development of the significance of this word was observed by Moulton and
Milligan, “where the needs of a new subject take up a rather colourless
word and infinitely enrich it.” (The Vocabulary of the Greek New
Testament, by Moulton & Milligan 1930, p.2).  Such was the linguistic
history for this word for “love.”  Ethelbert Stauffer noted in his
article in the TDNT how the Septuagint translators took AGAPAN and
aligned it with the Tanach’s AHABH.

Larry N. Baker
American Christian College and Seminary
OKC, OK

-----Original Message-----
From: Bryan Cox [mailto:bccox99 at attbi.com] 
Sent: Thursday, June 06, 2002 7:13 AM
Subject: AGAPH outside the New Testament

I have recently read that AGAPH took on a unique meaning for Christians
and the New Testament, that of 'unconditional love'.  If this is
correct,
could someone familiar with Greek texts outside the Bible tell me what
this word seemed to mean to other ancient authors?

The Septuagint, also, at a quick glace seems to use AGAPH to mean
'unconditional love' as in the story of David and Jonathan in 1 Samuel. 
Is this, then, likely due to later Christian influence or has AGAPH
really
always meant 'unconditional love'?

Thanks,
Bryan Cox
Plano,TX




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