Love (Ephesians 1:4; 2 Timothy 3:3; Romans 12:10; John 21:15-17; 1 John 2:15; Matthew 13:44-46)

EPHESIANS 1:4 speaks of how our Father chose us specifically; uniquely; before any conception of the world was birthed; He was thinking, and speaking only good thoughts about us, and He created the world, out of necessity, for a place to express His goodness toward us. He sees us as holy and without any imperfections. We are, as the sacrificial lambs, the most perfect; the most complete; those in whom there is absolutely nothing lacking. We are always right before Him; close and intimate, under His gaze of love. He watches over us affectionately and carefully; seeing nothing undesirable; only what is pure and valuable to Him.

ENGLISH

Love is an interesting word in the English language. In fact, to speak of the "English" language, is a bit of a misnomer, since it is the composition of a multitude of verbs; nouns; and adjectives, from every possible origin; a virtual melting pot of combined languages, both slangs and regular usage, to form words, which almost every language can bear some claim.

LOVE

In English we can say we love our children; wives; and we also love that new car; we love peanut butter; and we loved that new movie; but we also love that food; and we love those clothes that you are wearing. Quite obviously, to use the word generally, it bears little significance, and it is only in the expression of emotion, not conveyed in the written word, that the real force; impact; and significance is felt.

FOUR WORDS

In the Greek language, being very specific, there are 4 words translated into the English as "love" :

EROS

The first of these is (eros), which finds absolutely no use in the scriptures, in either the old or new testament. It is the expression of physical love between a man and a woman. It is not necessarily bad, but its use in the terms erotic; eroticism; etc., have gained a negative connotation of strictly sexual expression. It does have this labeling in the Greek god Eros, who lost all reason and discretion, on his way to ecstasy. However, in its truly basic form, it is simply the very physical form of touching; holding; caressing; and caring, demonstrated on a physical level.

STORGE

This Greek word is found in the new testament. In Romans 1:31 the scriptures speak of those, among a long list of spiritual depravity, who have forsaken God and are "without natural affection". Again, in a long list, expressing the abandonment of worship, of the one true God, and the embracing of falsehoods in thought and behavior, 2 Timothy 3:3 mentions those who are "without natural affection". The word (storge) is used negatively in both passages, but the basic meaning is "natural affection", or parental type love. The reason this word is translated as "natural affection", is because it is the normal caring of a parent for a child, even in the animal kingdom, where there is a sense of bonding and closeness by those of blood relation, who are in the same family. There is the somewhat ironic expression that you can choose your friends, but you are stuck with your relatives. This word, however, is specific to immediate blood relations, and speaks very specifically to that natural bond of caring, that should be evident in parents toward children, or brothers and sisters toward one another.

The word is also used once as a compound with (phileo), in Romans 12:10, in the word (philostorgos), [5387, Strong's], translated as "strong natural affection", but meaning a natural affection, where we are part of the same body, but we find pleasure in one another, and enjoy being together and in intimate fellowship.

PHILEO

Is quite common in the new testament, along with (agape), and is probably best known in the passage in John 21:15-17, where Jesus was looking for a commitment from Peter, and asked Peter if he loved (agape) Him. Peter answered, in each response, that he was fond of (phileo) Jesus.

PLEASURE

The word (phileo) is the expression of love, in the sense of being around someone who 'gives you pleasure', or you enjoy their company, primarily, because there is some type of common bond between you. Maybe you like the same type of food; movies; or recreation; or have other similar interests. This is the most common type of love, and is found in all of our endearing relationships. However, this type of love can fade, as our interests and life choices change. Jesus was trying to locate Peter's commitment, or more realistically, trying to get Peter to identify where his level of commitment was to Jesus, and what needed to change, to come up to a higher level of intimacy.

AGAPE

This word is often called the "God kind of love", and although there is some measure of truth to that statement, in it's purest form, that definition is false. The word is used in 1 John 2:15, exhorting Believers, to not love (agape) the world, because everyone who loves (agape) the world does not have the love (agape) of the Father in them.

PRECIOUS

This word expresses the highest level of commitment of one person to another, because it is defined by what is precious or valuable to an individual. When Jesus was challenging Peter (John 21:15-17), He asked him twice, am I 'the most precious and valuable' motivating force in your life? To this, Peter responded that Jesus was 'pleasurable' to be around, and he enjoyed Jesus' company. The third time, Jesus asked Peter, "...am I even the one you like to hang around the most with; am I even your friend at that level?" This grieved Peter, because he was sure his level of commitment extended to at least that quality of friendship defined by (phileo).

EXTREMELY VALUABLE

Scripturally, this type of love is illustrated in the parable of the one who found a treasure in a field, and for overwhelming joy, sold all that he had to buy that field, so he could possess the treasure (Matt.13:44). It is like the merchant man, constantly seeking for what is extremely valuable and precious in pearls, and when he finds one pearl, of great price, he sells everything he has; he gives it all, to possess that one pearl (Matt.13:45-46). We are the treasure and we are the pearl of great price, sought for by the Father, and obtained forever.

HIS BEST

Again, it is expressed in the good news, that echoes through the halls of time and eternity, that God so loved (agape) the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, His very best, all He had, that whoever will believe in Him, will not perish, but obtain eternal life, to possess it forever (John 3:16).

EROS - is what is Physical

STORGE - is expressed as Parental affection

PHILEO - is what gives us Pleasure

AGAPE - is what is Precious, of highest value, in our affections

MOST PRECIOUS

He has made us to be most precious to Him, but the question still remains, that was asked of Peter, and is asked of all of us, "Do you love me? Am I the most precious, most valuable, and of utmost importance in your life?"

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours