Lexical Summary
agapé: Love
Original Word:ἀγάπη
Part of Speech:Noun, Feminine
Transliteration:agapé
Pronunciation:ah-GAH-pay
Phonetic Spelling:(ag-ah'-pay)
KJV: (feast of) charity(-ably), dear, love
NASB:love, beloved, love feasts, love's
Word Origin:[fromG25 (ἀγαπάω - love)]
1. love, i.e. affection or benevolence
2. (specially, plural) a love-feast
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
charity, love.
Fromagapao; love, i.e. Affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast -- (feast of) charity(-ably), dear, love.
see GREEKagapao
HELPS Word-studies
26agápē – properly,love which centers in moralpreference. So too in secular ancient Greek,26 (agápē) focuses onpreference; likewise the verb form (25/agapáō) in antiquity meant "toprefer" (TDNT, 7). In the NT,26 (agápē) typically refers todivine love (= whatGod prefers).
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
agapaóDefinitionlove, goodwill
NASB Translationbeloved (1), love (1), love (112), love feasts (1), love's (1).
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 26: ἀγάπηἀγάπη,
(ης,
ἡ, a purely Biblical and ecclesiastical word (for Wyttenbach, following Reiske's conjecture, long ago restored
ἀγαπήσων in place of
ἀγάπης,
ὧν in
Plutarch, sympos. quaestt. 7, 6, 3 (vol. viii., p. 835, Reiske edition)). Secular authors from (
Aristotle),
Plutarch on used
ἀγάπησις. "The
Sept. use
ἀγάπη for
אַהֲבָה,
Song of Solomon 2:4, 5, 7;
Song of Solomon 3:5, 10;
Song of Solomon 5:8;
Song of Solomon 7:6;
Song of Solomon 8:4, 6, 7; ("It is noticeable that the word first makes its appearance as a current term in the Song of Solomon; — certainly no undesigned evidence respecting the idea which the Alexandrian
LXX translators had of the love in this Song" (Zezschwitz, Profangraec. u. Biblical Sprachgeist, p. 63));
Jeremiah 2:2;
Ecclesiastes 9:1, 6; (
2 Samuel 13:15). It occurs besides in Wis. 3:9 Wis. 6:19. In
Philo and
Josephus, I do not remember to have met with it. Nor is it found in the N. T. in Acts, Mark, or James; it occurs only once in Matthew and Luke, twice in Hebrews and Revelation, but frequently in the writings of Paul, John, Peter, Jude" (Bretschn. Lex. under the word); (
Philo, deus immut. § 14). In signification it follows the verb
ἀγαπάω; consequently it denotes
1.affection, good-will, love, benevolence:John 15:13;Romans 13:10;1 John 4:18. Of the love of men to men; especially of that love of Christians toward Christians which is enjoined and prompted by their religion, whether the love be viewed as in the soul or as expressed:Matthew 24:12;1 Corinthians 13:1-4, 8;1 Corinthians 14:1;2 Corinthians 2:4;Galatians 5:6;Philemon 1:5, 7;1 Timothy 1:5;Hebrews 6:10;Hebrews 10:24;John 13:35;1 John 4:7;Revelation 2:4, 19, etc. Of the love of men toward God:ἡἀγάπητοῦΘεοῦ; (obj. genitive (Winer's Grammar, 185 (175))),Luke 11:42;John 5:42;1 John 2:15 (τοῦπατρός);. Of the love of God toward men:Romans 5:8;Romans 8:39;2 Corinthians 13:13 (14). Of the love of God toward Christ:John 15:10;John 17:26. Of the love of Christ toward men:John 15:9;2 Corinthians 5:14;Romans 8:35;Ephesians 3:19. In construction:ἀγάπηνεἰςτινα,2 Corinthians 2:8 (?);Ephesians 1:15 (LWH omit;Tr marginal reading bracketsτήνἀγάπην);τῇἐξὑμῶνἐνἡμῖν i. e. love going forth from your soul and taking up its abode as it were in ours, equivalent to your love to us,2 Corinthians 8:7 (Winers Grammar, 193 (181f);B. 329 (283));μεθ'ὑμῶν i. e. is present with (embraces) you,1 Corinthians 16:24;μεθ'ἡμῶν i. e. seen among us,1 John 4:17. Phrases:ἔχεινἀγάπηνεἰςτινα,2 Corinthians 2:4;Colossians 1:4 (LTTr, butWH brackets);1 Peter 4:8;ἀγάπηνδιδόναι to give a proof of love,1 John 3:1;ἀγαπᾶνἀγάπηντινα,John 17:26;Ephesians 2:4 (see inἀγαπάω, under the end);ἀγάπηςτοῦπνεύματος, i. e. enkindled by the Holy Spirit,Romans 15:30;ὁυἱόςτῆςἀγάπης the Son who is the object of love, equivalent toἀγαπητός,Colossians 1:13 (Winers Grammar, 237 (222); (Buttmann, 162 (141)));ὁΘεόςτῆςἀγάπης the author of love,2 Corinthians 13:11;κόποςτῆςἀγάπης troublesome service, toil, undertaken from love,1 Thessalonians 1:3;ἀγάπηντῆςἀληθείας love which embraces the truth,2 Thessalonians 2:10;ὁΘεόςἀγάπηἐστιν God is wholly love, his nature is summed up in love,1 John 4:8, 16;φίλημαἀγάπης a kiss as a sign among Christians of mutual affection,1 Peter 5:14;διάτήνἀγάπην that love may have opportunity of influencing thee ('in order to give scope to the power of love,' DeWette, Wies.),Philemon 1:9, cf.Philemon 1:14;ἐνἀγάπη lovingly, in an affectionate spirit,1 Corinthians 4:21; on love as a basis (others, in love as the sphere or element),Ephesians 4:15 (whereἐνἀγάπη is to be connected not withἀληθεύοντες but withαὐξήσωμεν),Ephesians 4:16;ἐξἀγάπης influenced by love,Philippians 1:17 (16);κατάἀγάπην in a manner befitting love,Romans 14:15. Love is mentioned together with faith and hope in1 Corinthians 13:13;1 Thessalonians 1:3;Colossians 1:4;Hebrews 10:22-24. On the wordsἀγάπη,ἀγαπᾶν, cf. Gelpke in the Studien und Kritiken for 1849, p. 646f; on the idea and nature of Christian love see Köstlin, Lehrbgr. des Ev. Joh. etc., p. 248ff, 332ff; Rückert, Theologie, ii. 452ff;Lipsius, Paulin. Reehtfertigungsl., p. 188ff; (Reuss, Theol. Chret. livr. vii. chap. 13).2. plural,ἀγαπαι, ,agapae,love-feasts, feasts expressing and fostering mutual love which used to be held by Christians before the celebration of the Lord's supper, and at which the poorer Christians mingled with the wealthier and partook in common with the rest of food provided at the expense of the wealthy:Jude 1:12 (and in2 Peter 2:13LTr textWH marginal reading), cf.1 Corinthians 11:17ff;Acts 2:42, 46;Acts 20:7;Tertullian, Apology c. 39, and ad Martyr. c, 3;Cypr. ad Quirin. 3, 3; Drescher, De vet. christ. Agapis. Giess. 1824; Mangold inSchenkel 1:53f; (B. D. under the word;Dict. of Christ. Antiq. under the word Agapae; more fully in McClintock and Strong, under the word).
Topical Lexicon
Overview of UsageThe noun occurs 116 times across twenty‐six New Testament books. It is never used of romantic passion and only rarely of natural affection. Rather, it denotes a holy, self‐giving disposition that originates in God, is displayed perfectly in Jesus Christ, and is implanted in believers by the Holy Spirit. The frequency of the term in the writings of John and Paul underscores its centrality to apostolic theology and ethics.
The Love of God the Father
Scripture presents this love as eternal, sovereign, and initiating. “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). It is poured into the believer’s heart through the Spirit (Romans 5:5) and demonstrated supremely at the cross: “But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Nothing in creation can separate God’s children from it (Romans 8:35–39).
The Self-Giving Love of Jesus Christ
Jesus embodies the Father’s heart. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). His command, “Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:34), defines Christian ethics. The apostle John records that this love motivated the entire mission of Christ (John 3:16; 15:9–10; 17:26).
The Ministry of the Holy Spirit and Love
Love heads the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). The Spirit empowers believers to “walk in love” (Ephesians 5:2) and to comprehend the limitless dimensions of Christ’s love (Ephesians 3:17–19). Authentic spiritual gifts and ministries are to operate “through love” (Galatians 5:6).
Love as the Fulfillment of the Law
Paul summarizes the moral will of God: “Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law” (Romans 13:10). The ethical demands of the Ten Commandments find their positive expression in active, sacrificial concern for others (Romans 12:9;Galatians 5:13–14).
Love in the Community of Believers
Love is the identifying mark of genuine discipleship: “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). It must permeate congregational life (Ephesians 4:2, 15–16), resolve conflicts (Colossians 3:14), and govern the use of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 13:1–3). Paul closes several letters by commending the churches’ love (Ephesians 1:15;Colossians 1:4) and praying for its increase (1 Thessalonians 3:12).
Love and Christian Virtue Lists
Alongside faith and hope, love stands supreme: “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13). Peter urges believers to add love at the capstone of virtue (2 Peter 1:7). Timothy is commanded to pursue it (1 Timothy 6:11), and Titus is to promote it among all age groups (Titus 2:2).
Love and Eschatology
Love endures beyond the temporal gifts and offices of the church (1 Corinthians 13:8). Yet the last days will be characterized by its decline: “Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12). The church at Ephesus is warned for abandoning its “first love” (Revelation 2:4), showing that zeal without affection is unacceptable.
Warnings Concerning Misplaced Love
Believers must guard against loving the world’s system (1 John 2:15) and against hypocritical love that masks self-interest (Romans 12:9). False teachers exploit the church’s love feasts (Jude 12), turning sacred fellowship into self-indulgence.
Historical Background
Outside Scripture the term could describe friendship or hospitality, but the New Testament elevates it. The Septuagint uses it for covenant loyalty, preparing Jewish readers for the apostolic message. In the early centuries, Christian writers testified that unbelievers were astonished by the believers’ mutual love, a direct outworking of the teaching found inJohn 13:35 andActs 2:44–47.
Early Church Practice: The “Love Feasts”
Jude 12 references communal meals that celebrated unity in Christ and often accompanied the Lord’s Supper (cf.1 Corinthians 11). Abuse of these gatherings prompted apostolic correction, emphasizing that true fellowship must reflect Christ’s sacrificial concern for others.
Pastoral and Practical Applications
• Preaching: The gospel must highlight God’s initiating love and call hearers to respond in saving faith (Ephesians 2:4–5).
• Discipleship: Growth is measured by increasing, Spirit-produced love that acts “in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18).
• Counseling: Identity and security rest in the unbreakable love of God (Romans 8:39), freeing believers from fear (1 John 4:18).
• Missions and Service: “The love of Christ compels us” (2 Corinthians 5:14) to reconcile the world to God and to meet human need (Hebrews 6:10).
Theological Summary
Love is God’s own character revealed, Christ’s sacrifice enacted, and the Spirit’s fruit produced in the believer. It fulfills the law, validates discipleship, empowers ministry, and endures forever.
Forms and Transliterations
αγαπαις αγάπαις ἀγάπαις αγαπη αγάπη ἀγάπη ἀγάπῃ αγαπην αγάπην ἀγάπην αγαπης αγάπης ἀγάπης αγαπήσει αγαπήσεώς αγαπησιν αγάπησιν αγάπησίς agapais agápais agape agapē agápe agápē agápei agápēi agapen agapēn agápen agápēn agapes agapēs agápes agápēsLinks
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