When we read the New Testament and study the Greek language behind our English translations, we find out that the Greeks had more than one word for “love,” and each of those words had a distinctive meaning. While the word agape existed in the Greek language before Jesus came to earth, Jesus came and snatched that word from the common language of the day and made it a distinctly Christian love. The Greek word phileo was commonly used in that day, as evidenced by cities named “Philadelphia” (Rev. 3:7), meaning “brotherly love.” So, which kind of “love” do you have for Jesus?
When we study the different Greek words for “love,” Christians often focus quite a bit on agape love (and rightfully so). This term truly became uniquely Christian. It is the ultimate, premier form of love that is unconditional, unselfish and seeks what is best for the one to whom the love is extended.
“God so loved the world” (John 3:16). This is agape love. “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). This is agape love. “Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us” (Eph. 5:2). This is agape love. Our Father and our Savior have agape love for us.
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart” (Matt. 22:37). This is agape love. “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). This is agape love. We are to have agape love for our Father and our Savior. We are to love Him unconditionally, unselfishly and seek what He wants, rather than what we want. As Christians, I suspect that we expect that we need to love our Lord in this way. Do we?
Interestingly, there is another word that Paul uses for the “love” we are to have for Christ. In the closing verses of First Corinthians, the Holy Spirit revealed these words, “If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed” (1 Cor. 16:22). The word for “love” here is not agape but the Greek phileo, which is a “brotherly love.” What does that mean? Phileo love is a tender, affectionate love that is tied to one’s emotions. It is the love between the dearest of friends that knits their souls together (cf. 1 Sam. 18:1).
So, which kind of “love” do you have for Jesus? Do you love Jesus with the ultimate, unconditional, unselfish love that yearns for what He wants? We must! But, do you also love Jesus with your deepest emotions, as your dearest Friend, with whom you want to spend every moment of every day right next to Him? What a warning Paul gives if we do not have that kind of tender affection for Jesus—“let him be accursed.” Let us mean it, “My Jesus, I love Thee!”