Storge

Storge ("storg-ay", from the Ancient Greek word στοργή storgē) is the love of community and family. Often dutiful, sometimes apparently unfeeling, or undemonstrative, but very strong nevertheless, storge love refers to natural or instinctual affection, a natural, unforced, familial love; a primary example of storge love is the normally affectionate and protective love that a parent has for a child, and that an emotionally healthy child has for the parents, and the powerful love of country expressed in genuine patriotism. It is a natural, carnal love, but powerful enough to be a real hindrance to spiritual growth, especially when family and culture are believed or felt to be more important than any other consideration, including the obligation of obedient love for God, more important than God. The opposite of storge, astorgos, is used twice in the New Testament.

The four loves