What a subject! How many sermons have you heard, and how many articles have you read about love? You do not know, and I do not know the answer to this question. It is a great subject to study and to gain a deeper understanding of love. I ”Googled” in my search on the Greek words translated love and here is what I found: “Ancient Greek has four main words for love. Two of them are used often in the New Testament: agapao and phileo. Therefore, we will look at the three Greek words that are used in the New Testament.
First, the word is “storge.” It is used in the following verse: “Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful” (Rom. 1:31). It is the English words “without natural affection” that is the Greek word “Astorgos” and means: “hard hearted towards kindred;” here the “A” at the beginning of this word shows the negative” (Strong). It is used with reference to family “love;” thus, also the spiritual family of God. It is used in Romans 12:10 and is translated “kindly affectioned.” It is a compound word, philo-storgos.” You can see the Greek “philo,” then, “storgos” in the Greek word used here.
Second, the Greek word “phileo” which means: “that is, have affection for (denoting personal attachment) as a matter of sentiment or feeling.” It is used more naturally of intimate affection. It is used of Jesus and his love for Lazarus; as it is written: “Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick” (John 11:3). The word “lovest” is the Greek “phileo.” Therefore, it is used of the love that Jesus had for Lazarus.
The third Greek word is “agape” and means: “highest and noblest form of love which sees something infinitely precious in its object” (Google). It is used to describe the attitude of God toward His Son, and humanity. As John wrote: “And I have declared unto them thy name and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved (agape) me may be in them, and I in them” (John 17:26). Love can be known only from the actions it prompts. Love is greatly misunderstood! Love does not mean acceptable, that is love does not mean that the person loved is pleasing to the one who loves! God’s love for man, does not mean that mankind is acceptable to him. Paul wrote, “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4). Why does God “will have all men to be saved?” Let John answer this question: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). In respect of “agapao” as used of God, it expresses the deep and constant “love” and interest of a perfect Being toward entirely unworthy objects, in our case, mankind! Before leaving this part of our study, we need to notice Paul’s words: “But God commendeth his love (agapao) toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8).
Now, turning our attention to “love” of each other. Jesus said: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love (agapao) one another” (John 13:34). Here we have now reached “where we live!” Jesus said to the apostles: “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you” (John 15:12). This is one of those universal truths! It is never acceptable to God that we do not love one another! This is one of two, highest callings! The first being loving God, the second being, loving each other! With all our failings, our weaknesses, and our bad attitudes, it is hard for us to love each other as we, not should, but must! Love is very demanding! Sometimes, it is so hard from a human point of view, that we just fail.
Here is our challenge! Let me just say, we must live so as we are easy to love! Are you living so you are easy to love? Do we have some work to do?
— Frank R. Williams