22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)
Word Focus
love
ἀγάπη / agapē
<Hear It>
In the previous post I introduced Galatians 5:22-23 which is a list of nine character virtues known as the Fruit of the Spirit. These virtues result when a Christian’s life is controlled and guided by the Holy Spirit. They are spiritual expressions of a life transformed by Jesus Christ.
The first fruit listed is love, which translates the Greek word ἀγάπη / agapē. If you attend Christian Sunday School or Worship Services you are probably familiar with this Greek word which is frequently mentioned by pastors and teachers. Perhaps surprisingly, the word ἀγάπη occurs only a few times in ancient secular Greek literature outside the Bible. Instead, in common secular usage were the related words φιλία /philia <Hear It> which referred to fondness or friendship, and ἔρος /eros <Hear It> which referred to love, desire, or passionate love. In classical Greek, there was very little difference in meaning between φιλία and ἀγάπη. However, Jesus and the New Testament writers took the colorless and obscure word ἀγάπη and imbued it with new meaning. It became the word that represented God’s unconditional love, to represent His deepest nature. Even today, Christians still use the English form of the word, agape, to refer to the highest expression of love – love that is selfless and unconditional.
The word ἀγάπη was redefined in the Bible by its association with God, who is the perfect expression of genuine love. As the Apostle John wrote in his letter entitled First John, “God is love (ἀγάπη)” (I John 4:8, 4:16). ἀγάπη in these verses “does not note an aspect of God or a feature of His character; rather, it capsulizes the very nature of God and summarizes the activity of God’s words and deeds throughout the history of salvation.”* The nature of God’s love was ultimately demonstrated in giving His Son, Jesus Christ, to die in order to rescue undeserving sinful humanity. Those who look to Jesus as Savior are rescued from eternal death to everlasting life, and from brokenness to wholeness. This is expressed in the well know Bible verse John 3:16:
For this is how much God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life.
Another Biblical author, the Apostle Paul, expressed it this way in Romans 5:8:
By this God shows beyond a doubt His own love for us – while we were still sinners Christ died for us.
The New Testament defines ἀγάπη by describing many Characteristics of God’s love. For example, God’s love is:
- Sacrificial: John 3:16, John 15:13, I John 3:16
- Undeserved, unconditional – not based on the character of the person it is directed toward: Romans 5:8
- Unchanging, everlasting – nothing can separate the believer from God’s love: Romans 8:35-39
- Great / Lavish: Ephesians 2:4, 1 John 3:1
- Incomprehensible – ultimately not capable of being fully understood: Ephesians 3:19
- Makes believers His sons and daughters: 1 John 3:1
- Freely given – God takes the initiative: 1 John 4:8-10, I John 4:19
It is made clear in the New Testament that ἀγάπη is not merely an inward emotional feeling, but loving actions directed toward the one who is loved. The New Testament also teaches that in response to God’s love for us, we are to show the same kind of love to others – not just deep affection, but loving actions. Believers are to love God and neighbors (Matthew 22:35-40, Galatians 5:14), other believers (John 15:12), spouses (Ephesians 5:25, Colossians 3:19), and even enemies (Matthew 5:44-48, Luke 6:27-36, Romans 12:20). Love in action towards these groups includes feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, housing the homeless, comforting the grieving, encouraging the discouraged, forgiving the personal offender, and generally bearing others’ burdens and serving others.
Here are links to all the posts for the fruit of the Spirit:
Fruit of the Spirit
Love – ἀγάπη / agapē
Joy – χαρά / chara
Peace – εἰρήνη / eirēnē
Patience – μακροθυμία / makrothumia
Kindness – χρηστότης / chrēstotēs
Goodness – ἀγαθωσύνη / agathōsunē
Faithfulness – πίστις / pistis
Gentleness – πραΰτης / praütēs
Self-Control – ἐγκράτεια / egkrateia
*Thoralf Gilbrant, International Editor, The New Testament Greek-English Dictionary, Alpha-Gamma (The Complete Biblical Library, Volume 11, The Complete Biblical Library, Springfield, MO 1990) pg. 34.
Word Focus Lexicon
Lexical Form: ἡ ἀγάπη ἀγάπης <Hear It>
Gloss: love
Part of Speech: First Declension Feminine Noun
New Testament Frequency: 116
Strong’s Number: G26 (Link to Blue Letter Bible Lexicon)
Unless otherwise noted, English translations of Bible verses are by the author from the Greek text and are not quotations from any copyrighted Bible version or translation.
Koine Foundations 
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