“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.”
Matthew 6:5
One of the most improperly used words in the English language is the word “love.” We use love as a verb and say “I love my spouse,” or “I love my children.” And we also use it to say things like “I love pizza.”
In the Greek language, there are different words for love. In modern Greek, we say “mou aresi” to describe a strong liking for something. These are the words that would be used to describe one’s relationship to pizza, or their favorite sports team.
The word storge refers to familial devotion. There should be a natural affection among family members, and between parents and children. In many cases, the expression of storge love might be slanted more in one direction and less mutual, such as a mother caring for an infant. In Romans 12:10, we read love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor. In this instance, the words translated as “love one another” are filostorgi is alilus which correctly translated mean “be devoted to one another,” which means be fraternal towards one another. The words “brotherly affection” come from one Greek word, Filadelfia, which means “brotherly love”. This verse contains both the word storgi and another Greek word filia, which is another kind of love. Filia is a deep friendship or brotherly love. The word philanthropy comes from this word, and philanthropy means to be generous towards others, to be a “friend of man,” especially if a man is poor or in need, the philanthropic person will be generous and charitable.
In 2 Timothy 3:2-3 we read For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, inhuman, implacable, slanders, profligates, fierce, haters of good. The word which is translated as “inhuman” is actually the word astorgi, which correctly translated means unloving or devoid of affection. (Bible Hub, 2 Timothy 2:3) Here is an example of a mistranslation in the Bible. Because astorgi means devoid of affection, not inhuman. Of course, one could argue, even correctly, that the absence of love would make someone inhuman. Because the human being is created by God to love.
Another kind of love is eros or romantic love. We get the word “erotic” from this word. The word eros does not appear in the Bible but the idea of erotic love is mentioned in the Old Testament in the Song of Solomon.
In the verse that goes with this reflection, we see the word “love” is ascribed to hypocrites who “love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners” (Matthew 6:5). In this instance, the Greek word translated as love is filousin, which means to have an affection for someone or something, in this case, the hypocrites have an affection, or a strong desire to be noticed. Their “love” isn’t for standing and praying, but the results that come from that, namely public adulation and recognition. And of course, Jesus warns that prayer should be humble and in secret, not for recognition by anyone other than God, who sees everything and know the secret desires of every heart.
Which brings us to the word agape. This is sacrificial love, the kind of love that one is supposed to have for a spouse, a child, a close friend, and especially for the Lord. Most of the unit on love is going to focus on agape-love, and what it means to love the Lord and others in a way that is sacrificial, but also joyful.
Perhaps it would be helpful in life if we start using the word “love” less, and reserve it for its intended purpose, which is agape. Instead of saying “I love pizza” or “I love playing basketball,” we should probably refine phrases like this and say “I really like pizza” or “I really like playing basketball” so that these things are classified properly in our minds and in our hearts. I would not die for a piece of pizza. I might pay $20 for a pizza, but I would not alter my life for it.
It is important to remember that God’s love is agape-love. He doesn’t like us, or find us interesting. He loves us, He created us, He sent His Son to die for us. And when He tells us to love Him and love our neighbor, His intention is for us to sacrifice for one another, to put others in front of ourselves, to consider the needs of others and not our own, and have love be something that is life-altering, not just convenience. There is nothing wrong with liking things. It’s just important that we classify “strong attraction” and “love” correctly.
Lord, thank You for Your example of agape love. We know that Your intention in creating us, and sending Jesus to die for us, is sacrificial and agape love. Help me to understand love on a deeper level, so that I can express love for You and for others in the way that You intend. Amen.
I really like lots of things. But love is reserved for God and for people. I would not die for a pizza or football or a day at the beach. Yes, I might sacrifice a little bit of money or time. But altering my life, with that kind of love, is reserved for God and for people.
