The Four Greek Words for Love

The Written Word

On Facebook I asked what people what kind of articles they would like me to do for my blog. The response was meager, but for the most part those who responded wanted me to return to writing something on the order of a thought for the day. I am doing an adaptation of that concept. The written word refers to words put in writing whether God’s words (the Bible) or the written words of this blog or my books.

My approach will be to develop a brainwave (thought) that I think might be of interest to my readers. I will start with the four Greek words for love, and take them one at a time over the next four weeks. I trust you will find the posts relevant.

Introducing the Four Loves

Three of the four loves (related article) are found in the New Testament. The first that we will consider, eros, is not found in the New Testament. However, considering and understanding its nature has value.

The other three loves that we will be looking at are storge (familial love), philia or phileo (affection or friendship), and agape (a selfless, sacrificial love of choice).

The First of the Four Loves

Eros is not chosen as first of the four loves because it is the highest form of love. Agape is the highest and eros the lowest. That is perhaps the reason it is not used in the New Testament. Before you argue the point read further.

Eros is defined as sexual yearning, love, or desire—the visceral response to one’s libido. To make eros the highest form of love is to commit idolatry. It is to love pleasure more than God. We are to love—agape—God with all our heart. In the Bible we are told to control sexual desire. It has its place, but must be kept in its right place. In Hebrews 13:4 we read that the marriage bed is undefiled. On the other hand, in I Corinthians 6:18-20 we are told: Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

Eros has gotten many a young man and young girl in trouble. In truth, it has gotten many an older man and older woman in trouble. Unimpeded eros leads to immorality of every kind. Yet, our culture today is pressing for just that, unimpeded eros without accountability to God or man. They are demanding that all sorts of immorality be accepted as normal. And to resist their immoral agenda makes you a hater.

Eros in its rightful confines is wonderful. But I think you can see why I refer to it as the lowest of the four loves.

The Written Word: That’s a Wrap!

As I said, eros in its proper place is wonderful. Eros is falling in love; it is romance; it is the marriage bed as the culmination of the daily romance of marriage. Eros defiled—the devil smiles!

Next week we will take up storge, family love. Your comments on this article are welcome.

The Written Word: Another Intriguing Book!

Each week I will briefly introduce you to one of my thirty-five books. This week, with the holidays drawing ever closer, I introduce you to Imagine Christmas (a great gift for individuals and families on your gift list). The following is from the book’s preface:

Imagination is a wonderful gift from our Lord, when used for his glory. Each year, for who knows how many years, I have written one or more Christmas stories—initially geared to children—for my own sons and shared with nieces and nephews and children at church. As my sons and nieces and nephews grew older, the stories went through a metamorphous—a children’s story and a story for adults as well. The stories included in this anthology are a mix of both. However, I find it interesting that adults tend to enjoy the children’s stories as much as the adult stories and children tend to enjoy the adult stories along with the children’s stories. Some stories are serious and some are lighthearted and fun. Some have a Christ-centered message while others are simply enjoyable stories written from a Christian worldview.
Of course, there is the question of which stories are adult and which are children? I have put them in alphabetical order rather than categorizing them. With some, like “Peep Learns a Lesson,” it is obvious, while with others… Well, I’ll leave it for you to decide.
The “Pet Store Mystery” was published in an anthology by Weems Concepts and won the “Best in Edition” award. “Gift of Silent Words,” based on a true story, was published by Weems Concepts and later by VOICE Magazine. They are the only stories submitted for publication in an anthology or magazine. So this self-published anthology is the first offering of the other nineteen stories to a broader readership.
These stories are written for Christ’s pleasure and yours. Read them and smile. Read them to others and smile together. Read them and reflect on the wonder of Christmas. May Christ bless your heart and enhance your Christmas!

All of my books can be found at Amazon (including for Kindle) and Barnes & Noble.