Page 46 - Discipleship Ministries Student E-Book

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to
love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one
another.” John 13:34-35

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.

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The ancient Greeks had eight words that corresponded to different types of love. They were

• Eros (romantic, passionate love) ...
• Philia (affectionate love) ...
• Agape (selfless, universal love) ...
• Storge (familiar love) ...
• Mania (obsessive love) ...
• Ludus (playful love) ...
• Pragma (enduring love) ...
• Philautia (self-love)

In the Bible, the first four of these words were used in various verses.

Eros – Eros is a Greek term which actually means desire or longing. And according to the Gree
methodology, Eros is the name of the Greek god of love. Also referred to as erotic love, this is a selfish
king of love as it was associated with sexual love. Eros love is based on the strong feeling we have
toward one another and it usually develops during the first stage of a romantic relationship. This kind of
love is based on the physical traits of the other person. And unless it is redeemed by the Lord’s
presence, this type of love can end up being possessive, since it always seeks to first conquer and then
to control.

Within the boundary of marriage, eros love is to be celebrated and enjoyed as beautiful blessing from
God: "Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe.
Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love." (Proverbs 5:18–19;
see also Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 7:5; Ecclesiastes 9:9)
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Even though the term eros is not found in the Old Testament, Song of Solomon vividly portrays the
passion of erotic love.

Phileo: This is a unique kind of love like the one you have for a companion or friend. It refers to loving
one another as good friends. This love is for a pal who is really close and dear to us and it is
characterized by various different shared experiences between two people. In fact, this is the kind of
love that many Christians tend to practice towards one another. Our city, Philadelphia, is named the
“city of brotherly love” from this root word.

Philia is the most general type of love in Scripture, encompassing love for fellow humans, care, respect,
and compassion for people in need.

18 https://www.google.com/search?q=greek+words+for+love&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS953US953&oq=greek+words+for
+love&aqs=chrome..69i57j0i433j0l7j0i67.3537j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
19 https://www.learnreligions.com/types-of-love-in-the-bible-700177

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