PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY
Agape - Christian
love
from Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament
Words
AGAPAO and the corresponding noun agape present the
characteristic word of Christianity, and since the Spirit of revelation has
used it to express ideas previously unknown, enquiry into its use, whether in
Greek literature or in the Septuagint, throws but little light upon its
distinctive meaning in the New Testament.
Agape and agapao are used in
the New Testament. (a) to describe the attitude of God toward His Son, John
17:26; the human race, generally, John 3:16; Rom 5:8; and to such as believe on
the Lord Jesus Christ, particularly, John 14:21; (b) to convey His will to His
children concerning their attitude one toward another, John 13:34, and toward
all men, I Thess. 3:12; I Cor 16:14, 2 Pet 1:7; (c) to express the essential
nature of God, 1 John 4:8.
Love can be known only from the actions it
prompts. God's love is seen in the gift of his Son, I John 4:9, 10. But
obviously this is not the love of complacency, or affection, that is, it was
not drawn out by any excellency in its objects, Rom. 5:8. It was an exercise of
the Divine will in deliberate choice, made without assignable cause save that
which lies in the nature of God Himself, cp. Deut. 7:7,8.
Love had its
perfect expression among men in the Lord Jesus Christ, 2 Cor. 5:14; Eph. 2:4;
3:19; 5:2; Christian love is the fruit of His Spirit in the Christian, Gal.
5:22.
Christian love has God for its primary object, and expresses
itself first of all in implicit obedience to His commandments, John 14:15, 21,
23; 15:10; I John 2:5; 5:3; 2 John 6. Self-will, that is self-pleasing, is the
negation of love to God.
Christian love, whether exercised toward the
brethren, or toward men generally, is not an impulse from the feelings, it does
not always run with the natural inclinations, nor does it spend itself only
upon those for whom some affinity is discovered. Love seeks the welfare of all,
Rom. 15:2, and works no ill to any, 13:8-10; love seeks opportunity to do good
to 'all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the
faith,' Gal. 6:10. See further I Cor. 13 and Col 3:12-14."
In repect of
agapao as used of God, it expresses the deep and constant love and interest of
a perfect Being towards entirely unworthy objects, producing and fostering
reverential love in them towards the Giver, and a practical love towards those
who are partakers of the same, and a desire to help others to seek the Giver.