Agape

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This article is about the type of love. For the English adjective meaning "wide open", see the Wiktionary definition of agape

Agapē (written αγάπη in the Greek alphabet, and pronounced Template:IPA or Template:IPA), is one of several Greek words meaning love. The word has been used in different ways by a variety of contemporary and ancient sources, including Biblical authors. Many have thought that this word represents divine, unconditional, self-sacrificing, active, volitional, thoughtful love. Greek philosophers at the time of Plato used it in a way that suggested love of that which is below you, rather than philia, love between friends or equals, and eros, love of that which is above you. Eros was see as the highest, and agape as the lowest. The term was used by the early Christians to refer to the special love for God and God's love for humanity, as well as the self-sacrificing love they believed all should have for each other.

Agape can be defined as an intentional response to promote well-being when responding to that which has generated ill-being (Thomas Jay Oord). Agape, to use the Biblical phrase, returns evil with good. It is a prominent term in the works of C.S. Lewis.

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Agape in Christianity

Agape is Christian love, "charity" (1 Corinthians 13:1–8). Tertullian, in his 2nd century defense of Christians remarks how Christian love attracted pagan notice: "What marks us in the eyes of our enemies is our loving kindness. 'Only look' they say, 'look how they love one another.'" (Apology 39). The New Testament provides a number of definitions and examples of love.

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The greatest commandment

When asked what was the greatest commandment, Jesus said, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Gospel of Matthew 22:37-41)

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Love for enemies

At the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said:

You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Thus, agape, as a form of love, is both unconditional and volitional, i.e., it is non-discriminating with no pre-conditions and is something that one decides to do.

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Paul's definition of love

Paul described love as follows: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." (First Epistle to the Corinthians Chapter 13, verses 4-8a). In the original Greek language text that these descriptions of agape are all in verbs, a matter of action, although most languages, such as English, need to translate this using adjectives..

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John's definition of God

John equated God with love in his first letter, (1st John): "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." (1 John 4:7-8 KJV)

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New Commandment

At the Last Supper, Jesus gave his disciples this final commandment, and declared love to be the defining characteristic of Christianity: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35) Jesus went on to say "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) Thus Jesus' sacrificial crucifixion epitomizes Christian love, an example for his disciples to follow.

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Agape as a meal

The word agape is also used Biblically to describe a ritual meal eaten by early Christians, as in Jude 1:12, "These are spots in your feasts of charity..." This meal was eaten along with, or actually as, communion.

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Sources

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See also

de:Agape es:Agapē fr:Agapè it:Agape ja:アガペー nl:Agape pl:Agape ru:Божественная любовь sv:Agape uk:Аґапе

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