ἀγαπάω: Difference between revisions

{{Abbott

|astxt=[[ἀγαπάω]], -ῶ, [in LXX [[chiefly]] for אהב;] <br />to [[love]], to [[feel]] and [[exhibit]] [[esteem]] and goodwill to a [[person]], to [[prize]] and [[delight]] in a [[thing]].<br /><b class="num">1.</b>Of [[human]] [[affection]], to men: τ. [[πλησίον]], Mt 5:43; τ. ἐχθρούς, ib. 44; to Christ, Jo 8:42; to God, Mt 22:37; c. acc. rei, Lk 11:43, Jo 12:43, Eph 5:25, II Tim 4:8, 10, He 1:9, I Pe 2:17, 3:10, II Pe 2:15, I Jo 2:15, Re 12:11.<br /><b class="num">2.</b>Of [[divine]] [[love]];<br /><b class="num">(a)</b>God's [[love]]: to men, Ro 8:37; to Christ, Jo 3:35; <br /><b class="num">(b)</b>Christ's [[love]]: to men, Mk 10:21; to God, Jo 14:31; c. cogn. acc., Jo 17:26, Eph 2:4.SYN.: [[φιλέω]]. From its supposed etymology (Thayer, LS; [[but]] v. [[also]] Boisacq) ἀ. is [[commonly]] understood [[properly]] to [[denote]] [[love]] based on [[esteem]] (diligo), as [[distinct]] [[from]] [[that]] expressed by [[φιλέω]] (amo), [[spontaneous]] [[natural]] [[affection]], [[emotional]] and [[unreasoning]]. If [[this]] [[distinction]] holds, ἀ. is [[fitly]] used in NT of Christian [[love]] to God and [[man]], the [[spiritual]] [[affection]] [[which]] follows the [[direction]] of the [[will]], and [[which]], [[therefore]], [[unlike]] [[that]] [[feeling]] [[which]] is [[instinctive]] and unreasoned, [[can]] be commanded as a [[duty]]. (Cf. [[ἀγάπη]], and v. Tr., Syn. §xii; Cremer, 9, 592; and esp. MM, VGT, s.v.)

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