A Look At Love

Sermon: A Look at Love

Specific Purpose: The writers of our New Testament wrote mostly in Greek. This sermon's purpose is to investigate the Greek words for 'love'.

As pastors, we do our best to explain some point in God’s Word in each sermon. That means we must first dig into the Word deeply, searching thoroughly for what it says about this week's topic. This week’s sermon will cover one word whose understandings are central to Judeo-Christian beliefs: I will explain one English word, Love. Why? In the first century, followers of Christ wrote the New Testament mostly in Greek. The Greek language has nine different words for Love with six of those nine translated into bible text: Erose, Philia. Philautia, Storge, Xenia, and Agape.

In English, we can say, “I love hot dogs,” or “I love my wife,” or “I love America.” We might also say, “My neighbor loves automobiles.” Now, loving hot dogs is nothing like loving my wife, nor like loving America, and certainly not like loving automobiles. Unlike English, the Greek language recognizes that there are different kinds of love. Their language has six words to describe what the various translations into English often interpret as “love.” In addition, other Greek word variants also relate to the meaning of love. So, how did translators go from one of several Greek words to a single English word, “love,” and still convey as closely as possible the original meaning of “love” in particular scriptures? We will first examine the different kinds of “love” used in Greek and see how important it can be to get into this detail.

The first word translated from the Greek to love is Erose, it is carnal desire. In Ancient Greek mythology, Eros was a mischievous god of passion and fertility, who was shooting arrows into the hearts of people and immortals and making them feel a sudden overwhelming desire for each other. Often interpreted as love, it is primarily physical attraction. That is where the terms “erotic” and “erotica” came from that nowadays describe human sexuality.

It is common to mistake lust – or sexual desire – for romantic love. Sexual attraction can be a potent and overwhelming sensation, and even fool the brain into questionable decision-making. However, although the sexual desire is not a type of love in and of itself, it is frequently a component of love, especially between romantic couples.

You will find eros translated in Hebrews 13:4, “Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” The Greek eros expresses the uncontrolled sexual lust of “whoremongers and adulterers”. In 1 Corinthians 7:1, we find another example, “Now for the matters you wrote about: ‘It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.’” Here, “sexual relations” is expressed eros in the Greek. Paul was saying that sex with any other woman other than one’s wife is immoral, and unfaithfulness. Read 1 Corinthians 7:1-5.

The next word often translated from Greek to love in English is Philia. In contrast to the physical, sexual nature of Eros, Philia is a platonic feeling. This Greek word for love implies spiritual connection, trust, and sharing of the same values. Philia usually grows between friends and extended family members. While it is not as overwhelming, intense, or exciting as Eros, it is often more fulfilling and rewarding in the long term.

Not relegated to non-sexual and non-romantic relationships, Philia is a vital component of romantic love between couples, and any connection without it is not likely to last. A love that features Eros but not Philia is often a possessive, self-centered love.

Ancient Greek philosophers (as well as many psychologists today) believed that the two work best alongside each other, strengthening each other and the bond between two people. Adding Philia to Eros turns a possessive love into one built around shared goals and happiness. The Greek philosopher Plato believed that the combination of Philia and Eros led to the highest form of love – a “friendship between lovers.”

The root word Philia is in Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love; Philanthropy is the love of humankind. Philia is saying I like you ‘because’; it is a feeling of fondness. You will find it translated as love in John 20:2, “Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, they have taken away the Lord out of the sepulcher, and we know not where they have laid him.” Here, “whom Jesus loved” is written philia in Greek. “The other disciple, whom Jesus loved” meant that Jesus enjoyed being with that disciple; Jesus was close to him. Translators used philia in John 11:3, and 11:36 concerning Jesus’ friend Lazarus and in Matthew 10:37 to indicate love for father, mother, son and daughter (we are to “love Jesus more than these”). We must enjoy being with Jesus more than being with our father, mother, son, and daughter.