Agape defined by the world as, "God's love for mankind or Brotherly Love” is an oversimplification, and misleading. To the majority of people including Christians, that definition has little or no significance. It is imperative for the Body of Christ to understand that Agape is the absolute essential element by which God's love for all mankind is propagated. Each member of the Body of Christ is expected to be a conduit of Agape from God, by the Holy Spirit, through the servant to the lost. Agape is the most powerful gift of the Holy Spirit, (Mt. 22:37-40; 1 Corinthians 13:13), and the most powerful weapon against our spiritual enemies.
But the Word Agape is Not In the Bible!
The Problem Understanding Agape is in Translation. The word for Love was translated from the Greek into English for the New Testament and from Hebrew to English for the Old Testament without descriptive support. While the overwhelming mentions of love in the NT are derived from the Greek word Agape, the overwhelming mentions of love in the OT originated from the Hebrew word Ahav. Because the origin and meaning of Agape is not a subject that is widely taught and the word Love has become so ambiguous, the Body of Christ has become less effective in service to the Kingdom of God.
Jesus began to teach Agape shortly into his first sermon known as The Sermon on the Mount. (Matthew 5-7)
Mt. 5:43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' Jesus was referring to what had become a saying and not quoting an actual Scripture from the Old Testament. He continued in verse 44, “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,” It is likely that the multitude gathered there in Galilee fell silent.
The ‘saying’ “love your neighbor and hate your enemy” probably came about from many OT Scriptures like Amos 5:15 “Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate…”, but Jesus had just flipped the script. The mostly Hebrew throng gathered there on that day had as much understanding of the kind of Love Christ was referring to as most people do today. Little to none. Though they somewhat understood brotherly love (Ahav) as was spoken of in the Old Testament, they had as big a problem expressing it as humans do expressing Phileo today. So Jesus gave them a hint in verse 45. He tells them to love their enemies so, “that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Not unconditional love as many believe; rather, non-judgemental Agape. (Unconditional love is a human term. Agape is unconditional and soooo much more.)
Another big problem understanding Agape surfaces again in Matthew 22 when Jesus was asked by a Jewish Lawyer what the greatest commandment was. Most of you know this, Jesus replied to Love God with all your heart soul and mind, but then he adds a provision. “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Remember now, His words had not been recorded yet, so no one knew he was speaking about Agape. In fact he most likely used a variation of the Hebraic word ahava which corrrelated with God’s love for mankind. Agape could not be truly understood until the Holy Spirit was released after the Resurrection of Christ.
Now consider this… Ezekiel 20:43 where, through the prophet, God is speaking to Israel about repentance and he says, “--you shall remember your ways and all your doings with which you were defiled; and you shall loathe yourselves in your own sight because of all the evils that you have committed.”
Brothers and sisters, without knowing God and Agape through the Holy Spirit, how is anybody able to love their neighbor with worldly love if they despise themselves? Maybe they don’t despise themselves, but even Christians have low self-esteem or have a low opinion of themselves. Some even hate themselves because of how badly they were treated by someone who said, “I love you.”, then turned on them with gnashing teeth. Even if any of that is not true, how are we supposed to love those people across the street who are shrouded in all kinds of darkness, who curse you and throw trash in your yard, steal your belongings and threaten to hurt your children? It’s impossible with worldly love. So we must learn Agape.
Mattthew 22, verse 40 Jesus says this about Agape for God and Agape for neighbors (Neighbors meaning anyone who is in your sphere of influence at any given moment). “ALL the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments.”
ALL, every jot and tiddle of the Old Testament, and ALL of the New Testament depend upon Agape for effective Kingdom work. Everything depends on you understanding God’s Agape for you, and on you being a conduit of Agape to others.
Are you beginning to understand the magnitude of Agape?
If your answer is yes, turn to 1 Corinthians chapter 13:4-8 for a deeper understanding. I pray the Holy Spirit guide you through this teaching as He has me, and that you will be blessed with eyes to see accordingly. In Jesus name for God’s glory. Amen
There are 15 points of Agape that can only be defined by God’s word. I have been led to various Scriptures, but I encourage each one of you to use the same method I have used below. Meditate on each point and allow the Holy Spirit to lead you to a more personal interpretation. (NOTE: I have used the word Agape in place of the word love for emphasis.)
Ø V.4 AGAPE IS PATIENT 1 Timothy 1:16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.
Ø AGAPE IS KIND Job 6:14 “Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
Ø IT DOES NOT ENVY James 3:16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
Ø IT DOES NOT BOAST 1 Corinthians 1:28-29 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. (see also Mt. 25:32-36)
Ø IT IS NOT PROUD James 1:9-10 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.
Ø V.5 IT DOES NOT DISHONOR OTHERS Leviticus 19:32 “ ‘Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD.
Ø IT IS NOT SELF-SEEKING 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is edifying. 24No one should seek his own good, but the good of others
Ø IT IS NOT EASILY ANGERED Ephesians 6:4 says, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” while Colossians 3:21 echoes “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”
Ø IT KEEPS NO RECORD OF WRONGS Acts 7:60 Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Ø V.6 AGAPE DOES NOT DELIGHT IN EVIL BUT REJOICES WITH THE TRUTH Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Ø V.7 IT ALWAYS PROTECTS 2 Peter 1:10-11 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Ø ALWAYS TRUSTS Matthew 21:22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.
Ø ALWAYS HOPES Romans 8:19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.
Ø ALWAYS PERSEVERES 1 Corinthians 13:8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
Ø V.8 AGAPE NEVER FAILS... Isaiah 55:11 So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
But the Word Agape is Not In the Bible!
The Problem Understanding Agape is in Translation. The word for Love was translated from the Greek into English for the New Testament and from Hebrew to English for the Old Testament without descriptive support. While the overwhelming mentions of love in the NT are derived from the Greek word Agape, the overwhelming mentions of love in the OT originated from the Hebrew word Ahav. Because the origin and meaning of Agape is not a subject that is widely taught and the word Love has become so ambiguous, the Body of Christ has become less effective in service to the Kingdom of God.
Jesus began to teach Agape shortly into his first sermon known as The Sermon on the Mount. (Matthew 5-7)
Mt. 5:43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' Jesus was referring to what had become a saying and not quoting an actual Scripture from the Old Testament. He continued in verse 44, “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,” It is likely that the multitude gathered there in Galilee fell silent.
The ‘saying’ “love your neighbor and hate your enemy” probably came about from many OT Scriptures like Amos 5:15 “Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate…”, but Jesus had just flipped the script. The mostly Hebrew throng gathered there on that day had as much understanding of the kind of Love Christ was referring to as most people do today. Little to none. Though they somewhat understood brotherly love (Ahav) as was spoken of in the Old Testament, they had as big a problem expressing it as humans do expressing Phileo today. So Jesus gave them a hint in verse 45. He tells them to love their enemies so, “that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Not unconditional love as many believe; rather, non-judgemental Agape. (Unconditional love is a human term. Agape is unconditional and soooo much more.)
Another big problem understanding Agape surfaces again in Matthew 22 when Jesus was asked by a Jewish Lawyer what the greatest commandment was. Most of you know this, Jesus replied to Love God with all your heart soul and mind, but then he adds a provision. “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Remember now, His words had not been recorded yet, so no one knew he was speaking about Agape. In fact he most likely used a variation of the Hebraic word ahava which corrrelated with God’s love for mankind. Agape could not be truly understood until the Holy Spirit was released after the Resurrection of Christ.
Now consider this… Ezekiel 20:43 where, through the prophet, God is speaking to Israel about repentance and he says, “--you shall remember your ways and all your doings with which you were defiled; and you shall loathe yourselves in your own sight because of all the evils that you have committed.”
Brothers and sisters, without knowing God and Agape through the Holy Spirit, how is anybody able to love their neighbor with worldly love if they despise themselves? Maybe they don’t despise themselves, but even Christians have low self-esteem or have a low opinion of themselves. Some even hate themselves because of how badly they were treated by someone who said, “I love you.”, then turned on them with gnashing teeth. Even if any of that is not true, how are we supposed to love those people across the street who are shrouded in all kinds of darkness, who curse you and throw trash in your yard, steal your belongings and threaten to hurt your children? It’s impossible with worldly love. So we must learn Agape.
Mattthew 22, verse 40 Jesus says this about Agape for God and Agape for neighbors (Neighbors meaning anyone who is in your sphere of influence at any given moment). “ALL the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments.”
ALL, every jot and tiddle of the Old Testament, and ALL of the New Testament depend upon Agape for effective Kingdom work. Everything depends on you understanding God’s Agape for you, and on you being a conduit of Agape to others.
Are you beginning to understand the magnitude of Agape?
If your answer is yes, turn to 1 Corinthians chapter 13:4-8 for a deeper understanding. I pray the Holy Spirit guide you through this teaching as He has me, and that you will be blessed with eyes to see accordingly. In Jesus name for God’s glory. Amen
There are 15 points of Agape that can only be defined by God’s word. I have been led to various Scriptures, but I encourage each one of you to use the same method I have used below. Meditate on each point and allow the Holy Spirit to lead you to a more personal interpretation. (NOTE: I have used the word Agape in place of the word love for emphasis.)
Ø V.4 AGAPE IS PATIENT 1 Timothy 1:16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.
Ø AGAPE IS KIND Job 6:14 “Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
Ø IT DOES NOT ENVY James 3:16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
Ø IT DOES NOT BOAST 1 Corinthians 1:28-29 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. (see also Mt. 25:32-36)
Ø IT IS NOT PROUD James 1:9-10 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.
Ø V.5 IT DOES NOT DISHONOR OTHERS Leviticus 19:32 “ ‘Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD.
Ø IT IS NOT SELF-SEEKING 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is edifying. 24No one should seek his own good, but the good of others
Ø IT IS NOT EASILY ANGERED Ephesians 6:4 says, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” while Colossians 3:21 echoes “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”
Ø IT KEEPS NO RECORD OF WRONGS Acts 7:60 Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Ø V.6 AGAPE DOES NOT DELIGHT IN EVIL BUT REJOICES WITH THE TRUTH Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Ø V.7 IT ALWAYS PROTECTS 2 Peter 1:10-11 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Ø ALWAYS TRUSTS Matthew 21:22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.
Ø ALWAYS HOPES Romans 8:19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.
Ø ALWAYS PERSEVERES 1 Corinthians 13:8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
Ø V.8 AGAPE NEVER FAILS... Isaiah 55:11 So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
(Go HERE to watch the video version of this lesson and others on Agape and Spiritual Warfare.)
Next week we will begin to study Ehpesians 6, Spiritual Warfare.
Until then, may God command His angels concerning you, and continue to bless you and all those you love!
Next week we will begin to study Ehpesians 6, Spiritual Warfare.
Until then, may God command His angels concerning you, and continue to bless you and all those you love!
