The air is filled with love as the world celebrates Valentines Day today. It is but rightful that we talk about this word "LOVE" this month. With this in mind, let us explore the meaning and the depth of the word "LOVE" itself. To fully understand it's meaning, we have to go to the source of love which is God himself as stated in the Bible.
The writing in the New Testament was written in the ancient Greek. If we only have one word for love in English, the ancient greeks have 5 different words for love. In the English language, to properly distinguish the meaning of a single word, the context of the sentence is considered in order to fully appreciate the meaining of the word. In contrast when using New Testament Greek or "koine Greek" the context is given minimal consideration since the word itself conveys the full meaning. As an illustration, in English when we say we love our dog, we love our country, we love our parents and we love our wife, we are obviously not referring to the same kind of love. However in Koine greek different words for the word love is used for different kinds of purposes.
English is undoubtedly the "lingua franca" of the world, but I believe the ancient Greeks did a better job of expressing the word love than the English language does.
1.) Agape -Refers to a "pure" and "ideal" type of love. Often use for "the love of God" or "such love that is willing to sacrifice one's life for another person." Its derivative, "Agapo" is used to say "I love you".
2.) Eros - Refers to passionate love, or sensual desire and longing. This is the kind of love being commonly referred to by most lovers.
3.) Philia - Widely known as "brotherly love". Aristotle was the one who developed this concept of "virtuous love". This word is used to describe the kind of "love" felt for family, friends and the community.
4.) Storge - Known as natural affection. This is the kind of love a child feels for his or her parents.
5.) Xenia - Is often referred to as "hospitality." Ths best example of this is when a host and his guest forms a special friendship.
Now wouldn't you agree with me that the ancient Greeks did a far more better job of expressing the word "Love" than we do in the English ? - 15784
The writing in the New Testament was written in the ancient Greek. If we only have one word for love in English, the ancient greeks have 5 different words for love. In the English language, to properly distinguish the meaning of a single word, the context of the sentence is considered in order to fully appreciate the meaining of the word. In contrast when using New Testament Greek or "koine Greek" the context is given minimal consideration since the word itself conveys the full meaning. As an illustration, in English when we say we love our dog, we love our country, we love our parents and we love our wife, we are obviously not referring to the same kind of love. However in Koine greek different words for the word love is used for different kinds of purposes.
English is undoubtedly the "lingua franca" of the world, but I believe the ancient Greeks did a better job of expressing the word love than the English language does.
1.) Agape -Refers to a "pure" and "ideal" type of love. Often use for "the love of God" or "such love that is willing to sacrifice one's life for another person." Its derivative, "Agapo" is used to say "I love you".
2.) Eros - Refers to passionate love, or sensual desire and longing. This is the kind of love being commonly referred to by most lovers.
3.) Philia - Widely known as "brotherly love". Aristotle was the one who developed this concept of "virtuous love". This word is used to describe the kind of "love" felt for family, friends and the community.
4.) Storge - Known as natural affection. This is the kind of love a child feels for his or her parents.
5.) Xenia - Is often referred to as "hospitality." Ths best example of this is when a host and his guest forms a special friendship.
Now wouldn't you agree with me that the ancient Greeks did a far more better job of expressing the word "Love" than we do in the English ? - 15784
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