| − | In the Greek texts of the New Testament, the word agape is used in many places to refer to the love of God, the love of Christ and the living love of the Holy Spirit that unites all men in brotherhood. | + | In the [[Koine Greek]] texts of the New Testament, the word agape is used in many places to refer to the love of God, the love of Christ and the living love of the Holy Spirit that unites all men in brotherhood. Most references to it are in 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 <ref>http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2013:1-13;&version=68;</ref>, where it is referred to as a form of compassion which is unconditional and voluntary; that is, it does not discriminate, is not conditioned by any outside forces, and is something that one decides to do, without thought of personal reward. |
| | + | Agape, however, is not exclusively divine love. Jesus describe the two most important commandments as 'love (ἀγαπη) the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind' and 'love (ἀγαπη) your neighbor as yourself', in Matthew 22:37-41<ref>http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2022:37-41;&version=72;</ref> |