[B-Greek] AGAPAO in the NT

Theodore Mann theomann at sbcglobal.net
Thu Feb 5 13:43:43 EST 2004


David..
For what it's worth, consider the following.	

	I have learned not to pay too much attention to comments that
draw strict distinctions between what are often nearly synonymous terms:
RHEMA and LOGOS (word), AGAPE and FILEO (love), GINWSKW and OIDA (know),
for example.  This is not to say that distinctions do not exist; but I
understand that they are usually not as distinct as we are led to
believe, and sometimes there is no difference at all.  It depends on the
context.
	AGAPE versus FILEO is a good example.  I have often heard that
AGAPE is deeper and more profound than FILEO.  AGAPE is the kind of love
associated with God, whereas FILEO refers to friendly affection or
fondness.  But consider the following verses:

Lk.6:32       "And if you love (AGAPE) those who love you, what credit
is that to  
                    you? For even even sinners love (AGAPE) those who
love (AGAPE) them."
Lk.11:43      "Woe to you Pharisees! For you love (AGAPE) the front
seats in the
    		synagogues. "
Lk.16:13      "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate
the one,
                    and love (AGAPE) the other. "
Jn. 5:20	"For the Father loves (FILEO) the Son. "
Jn. 16:27	".. for the Father Himself loves (FILEO) you, because
you have
                    loved (FILEO) me.. "
Jn. 20:2       "And so she [Mary] ran and came to Simon Peter, and to
the other
                    disciple whom Jesus loved (FILEO).. "
1 Cor.16:22   "If any one does not love (FILEO) the Lord, let him be
accursed."
2 Tim. 4:10   ".. for Demas, having loved (AGAPE) this present world. "
Tit. 3:4         "But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love
(FILEO) for
                     mankind appeared. "
Tit. 3:15       "Greet those who love (FILEO) us in the faith. "
Rev. 3:19      "Those whom I love (FILEO), I reprove and discipline.. "

	The actual meanings of biblical terms depend largely on context.
In a verse referring to God's love it is not the term AGAPE that makes
that love special; it is the fact that it is His love, rather than
someone else's.  If the term FILEO is used in reference to God's love,
then FILEO in that instance is a higher kind of love.  That's my
understanding, anyhow.

Ted 

-----Original Message-----
From: b-greek-bounces at lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:b-greek-bounces at lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of
davfre99 at sbcglobal.net
Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2004 1:10 PM
To: b-greek at lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: [B-Greek] AGAPAO in the NT

Just presenting a thought, please excuse the intrusion.

How does AGAPAO relate with AGAPE, since AGAPAO, is "eternal" before the
foundation of the world? So there should be no interference from man or
creation to alter or steal that Love from God, it was his and he gave
it.
Being an eternal love should satisfy the question, everything else
should
just have to be understood from that point.

John 17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be
with
me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me:
for
thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

As far as AGAPE the english itself in twelve place states it this way,
that
it is "the love of God"

Luke 11:42 ...the love of God...
John 5:42 ...the love of God...
Romans 5:5 ...the love of God...
Romans 8:39 ...the love of God...
2 Corinthians 13:14 the love of God...
2 Thessalonians 3:5 ...the love of God...
1 John 2:5 the love of God...
1 John 3:16 ...the love of God.
1 John 3:17 the love of God...
1 John 4:9 ...the love of God...
1 John 5:3 the love of God...
Jude 1:21 ...the love of God...

So could "the love of God" that he gave to man, also be twisted by man?

Philippians 1:16-18, "The one preach Christ of contention, not
sincerely,
supposing to add affliction to my bonds:  But the other of love (AGAPE),
knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.  What then?
notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is
preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. "

David French


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