Word Nerd Wednesday - Love

My sweet friend and fellow Military Spouse, Anji Budzinski joins us today with the perfect word to follow last week’s Punishment post.

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The Ancient Greek language differentiates at least four different ways to use the word love.

1. Agápe (ἀγάπη agápē): love, esp. charity; the love of God for man and of man for God. Agape is used in ancient texts to denote feelings for one’s children and the feelings for a spouse. Agape is used by Christians to express the unconditional love of God for his children.
2. Éros (ἔρως érōs): love, mostly of the sexual passion. The Modern Greek word “erotas” means intimate love.
3. Philia (φιλία philía): affectionate regard, friendship, usually between equals. It is also expressed as brotherly love.
4. Storge (στοργή storgē): love, affection, especially of parents and children.

Hebrew treats the word Love very delicately. The one word they use is Ahava ( ): love, I give

The word Love appears 310 in the King James Version (KJV), 348 times in the American Standard Version (ASV), 551 times in the New International Version (NIV) and 538 times in the Revised Standard Version (RSV).

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What does God’s Word tell us?

His love for us (Agápe, Ahava):

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13 – This is what Christ did for us on the cross.

“Agape is deliberate, consistent, and transparent. It does not change by the way we feel on any given day. It always seeks the good of those we are called to love. It compels us toward action.” ~ Fred Bittner

Love for our spouse (Éros, Storge, Ahava) :

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.” Ephesians 5:25

“However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” Ephesians 5:33

Friends (Philia, Ahava):

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” Proverbs 17:17

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” 1 John 3:16

Enemies (Philia, Ahava):

“You have heard it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Matthew 5:43-45

Our love for God (Agápe, Storge, Ahava):

“I love you, Lord, my strength.” Psalm 18:1

Instructions on who and how to love (Agápe, Philia, Storge, Ahava):

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all you mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’.” Matthew 22:37-39

Love encompasses all people and all things in this world. Scripture teaches us how to love God (Agápe), love our spouses (Éros) and love for one another (Agápe, Philia, Storge). Our job is to put that love into action.

Scripture teaches us how to love. @AJustBud #WORDNerdWednesday Click To Tweet

The word Love calls this poem by Elizabeth Barret Browning to my mind. I think that this is how we are to love God, “with our heart, soul, mind and strength.” Please read it with Agápe and Philia in the forefront of your mind:

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of being and ideal grace.

I love thee to the level of every day’s

Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

I love freely, as men strive for right.

I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.

I love thee with the passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath

Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,

I shall by love thee better after death.

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Anji Budzynski and her husband Brian, a Navy Senior Chief, live in Virginia and look forward to retiring this year after 25 years of service. They recently helped propel their 22 year old daughter, Natasha, into self-sustaining adulthood. They enjoy growing and steering their strapping 17 year old son, Chris, and feisty 4 year old daughter, Miss B, through childhood.

You can find more from Anji at her website, A Life of Gratefulness, as well as on Facebook and Twitter.

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For more encouragement please join the discussions on these fabulous blog link ups - Suzanne Eller, Thought Provoking Thursday, Susan B. Mead, Faith Filled Friday, Grace and Truth, Faith and Fellowship Friday, Grace and Truth Friday, Good Morning Monday, Soul Survival, Monday Musings, Rah Rah Link Up, Tell His Story, Woman to Woman Wednesday, Women With Intention Wednesday, Sitting Among Friends, Word of God Speak, Testimony Tuesday.