| | '''Agape''' is an romanisation of the Greek word 'ἀγαπη'. One of at least three words translated into English as "love" (the other two are "[[philos]]" and "[[eros]]"). Agape is usually understood as a spiritual or compassionate form of love in contrast to the thought of [[philos]] which is a brotherly sort of love and [[eros]] which is erotic or sexual love. | | '''Agape''' is an romanisation of the Greek word 'ἀγαπη'. One of at least three words translated into English as "love" (the other two are "[[philos]]" and "[[eros]]"). Agape is usually understood as a spiritual or compassionate form of love in contrast to the thought of [[philos]] which is a brotherly sort of love and [[eros]] which is erotic or sexual love. |
| − | 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. | + | In the [[Greek language|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. |
| | It is mentioned by [[Paul]] again in 1 John 4:8 <ref>http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%204:8;&version=68;</ref>, where it is stated that 'God is love' (ἀγαπη). | | It is mentioned by [[Paul]] again in 1 John 4:8 <ref>http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%204:8;&version=68;</ref>, where it is stated that 'God is love' (ἀγαπη). |