Biblical Types of Love

The Core 3

As we further our study on love this week, we are going to dive into what the different types of love in the Bible mean and how they are applied. Before I go anywhere, however, I would encourage you if you haven’t already, to give our last blog post a read. Throughout this month we will be dissecting the biblical meaning and application of love and we set up a great foundation last week for what love really is. So not only will that post help us understand this one, but everything we write from here on out will flow from that foundation. As John MacArthur says, “God’s love is the single, central principle that defines the Christian’s entire duty. This kind of love is really “all you need.” With that being said, when we read through scripture, there are three main types of love we come across whenever the word is used. When we look at the original language of these words in Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic, we find that love is translated from the words, ‘eros’, ‘philos’, and ‘agapē’. And while we have an overall understanding of what love is from last week’s study, we will also filter that understanding through the definitions of these 3 words. 

Eros & Philos

To start, let’s look at the word ‘eros’. ‘Eros’ means to love one physically, romantically, or sexually. This is the type of love we see in our personal lives regarding a significant other. We see this type of love mentioned in scripture when it describes the love between and husband and wife or when it describes the desire for one another as in Song of Songs. Perhaps one of the best teachings/warnings on this type of love comes from Paul in 1 Corinthians 7:8-9 when he says, “8 But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I. 9 But if they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.” We see very quickly here in this passage that marriage is a means by which we can control this ‘passion’ from an ‘eros’ type of love. While we are told in verse 8 that it is better for us to not fall subject to this type of love so that our hearts and time are not divided between the Lord and our significant other, God still gives some of His children this desire with a purpose and answer for how they are to fulfill it. Yes, an ‘eros’ type of love is one that is meant for a significant other and not for the Lord, but we can’t forget that God is the one who allows us to feel and experience this type of love in the first place. Without this type of love among human beings, reproduction and husbands loving their wives as Christ loved the Church would just simply not be possible. So while ‘eros’ may not be the most used type of love in scripture or even the most important, it is still a type of love that God has blessed His children with and one that we should use accordingly. 

Furthermore, the second type of love that we see used in scripture is ‘philos’. ‘Philos’ means a warm affection or friendship. As Explore The Bible states, “Philos was commonly used with reference to friendships or family relationships.” This type of love is one that we can all relate to as well because we all have family members and friends whom we love and respect, even though it is not in a romantic type of way. One of the best examples of this is Jesus’ relationship with Lazarus. In John 11:3 we see it state, “3 So the sisters sent word to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” This is the type of love that our Lord expected us to have as fellow human beings who are in a relationship with one another. Again, while this love doesn’t require romance or physical attraction, this love, just like ‘eros’, is one that God created and wants mankind to experience. While this love is not the most triumphant or dominant type of love, it is definitely unique and separates itself from ‘eros’ by not having anything physically or romantically to offer us. If we love someone in a ‘philos’ type of way, we do so often because of their character and how reliable they have been to us in our family or friend circle. This is still a beautiful love indeed because of the lack of physical attraction, and yet, the strength and desire it still has for another person. Thank God that He has given us the ability to not just love others romantically but also brotherly! 

Agapē

Finally, the last example we have of love in the Bible is probably the most famous one we’ve all heard of before. This, of course, is ‘agapē’. ‘Agapē’ is the sacrificial, unconditional love of God. This is the very love that God shows us as His children. It is sacrificial in every way because of the cross, and unconditional because of our fallenness. Christ’s sacrifice on the cross shows us the most beautiful picture of ‘agapē’ love because He quite literally sacrificed Himself for us because He loved us. Not only that, but this was unconditional as well. Meaning, that there was nothing that we did to deserve or earn this love, God just gave it to us out of the graciousness of His own heart. This is why this love is so unique and special. While ‘eros’ is because we pursue attraction and ‘philos’ is because of our response to a friend, ‘agapē’ has nothing to do with our efforts. It could be said in a way that we can earn ‘eros’ or that we can earn ‘philos’, but we could never do anything to earn ‘agapē’. The obvious and most clear picture of this is clearly John 3:16 “16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” God loves His people in a sacrificial, unconditional way. Whenever we tell a significant other or a friend that we love them, may we never be confused or misguided by thinking that this is how God loves us. There is a reason that God’s love for us is incomprehensible at times, and that’s because while we did absolutely nothing to deserve it, He gave it to us anyway. As we read God’s Word this week, I want to encourage you to actually look up the word ‘love’ every time you skim across it during your quiet times. I hope and pray that this leads you to a deeper understanding of His Word and a greater gratitude for His love for you. 

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Sources

[1] “Access Your Bible from Anywhere.” BibleGateway.Com: A Searchable Online Bible in over 150 Versions and 50 Languages., www.biblegateway.com/. Accessed 2023.

[2] Authentic Love by John MacArthur. (n.d.). Ligonier Ministries. https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/true-love

[3] Livingstone, M. (2018, April 16). 3 Kinds of Love (Session 8 – 1 Corinthians 13:1-13) - Explore the Bible. Explore the Bible. https://explorethebible.lifeway.com/blog/adults/3-kinds-of-love-session-8-1-corinthians-131-13/