In the English language, we use the word love to convey a multitude of meanings. I can say “I love my cup of coffee” and “I love my grandchildren” in the same conversation. Yet the value I place on the objects of my love is completely different. With so much division and hate in our world, perhaps it’s time to take a deeper look at what love: the other four-letter word, does and doesn’t mean.
You may already be aware that in the Greek language, there are four distinct words used to describe the meaning of love.
Eros=romantic love. Phileo=love found in friendship. Storge=familial love. Agape=Godly love.
Although all these forms of love are valuable, the Apostle Paul places agape at the highest position in his discourse on love in 1 Corinthians: 13. Even though, people often read this poetic passage at weddings to represent the romantic love between husband and wife, Paul offers a much deeper meaning. He contrasts for his readers what agape love looks like through actions as well as feelings and makes very clear what love is not.
Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable; it keeps no record of wrongs; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices in truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NRSVUE
The New Testament writers call Christians to imitate Jesus and love (agape) like him.
But were you aware that the Hebrew language also describes love with four distinct words? The Old Testament writers used all these different forms to describe the lavish love of God for his people.
Ahava=romantic love but also an intense emotional bond. Dod=a beloved relationship. Rachamim=a caring, devoted type of love like that between a parent and a child. Hesed=steadfast love, mercy, lovingkindness, and goodness.
Although the Hebrew words for love have nuanced meanings, Hesed most closely aligns with the Greek Agape. It is a covenantal type of love characterized as theologian John Oswalt described as “. . . a completely undeserved kindness and generosity.” Or, in other words, God’s Grace.
Hold all these variations of love in your heart but also let me remind you of what love is not. Love is not accepting of abuse from another person. It never asks you to be a doormat or to agree with everything someone else says or does. Sometimes the most loving thing we can do is to respectfully disagree while still remaining friends. And in some situations, we must love ourselves enough to walk away from toxic relationships. Remember, although Jesus loves everyone, even he allows people to go their own way.
For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love (hesed) shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54: 10 NRSVUE
So, on this Valentine’s weekend, my hope is that this deeper dive into the diverse meanings of love will urge you on to imitate a higher level of agape/hesed in all your relationships. Throw off the heavy burden of hate and embrace God’s love: the other four-letter word.
For God so loved (agape) the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
John 3:16 NRSVUE
*Photos courtesy of Canva
