No simple verse today. I was listening to a study on Matthew 24 that mentioned the different Greek words for love to explain the significance of verse 12. This study caused me to trip and go down a rabbit hole so join me on this journey for a minute. Please keep arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times until the ride has come to a complete stop.
I don’t speak, read, or write the original languages that the bible was written in, but I do love to study the original words used as a means of getting context about the verses I read. One of the words that I see in the bible that I had a hard time understanding growing up is love.
The bible uses four Greek words for love. They are: Philia (affectionate love) used with friends, Eros (romantic, passionate love) found in erotic relationships such as a healthy marriage, Storge (familiar love) for family like brothers and sisters, then, last, but certainly not least, is Agape (selfless, universal love).
The first three can be experienced by anyone in the world. Agape is very different. Agape is unique in that it is selfless, unconditional, and complete. It is the love of God. It is also only available to those who have a personal relationship with God and Jesus Christ. God does not have love. He IS love. We cannot experience this kind of love without having a personal relationship with God.
As I look back on the path that brought me to where I am, I can see that it wasn’t until I experienced Agape love that I started to understand the other types of love. It wasn’t until I saw what real love is that I began to learn how to show love to others. I had no examples of Eros in my family. There were no healthy relationships in the family that I could learn from. This meant that Storge was also off the table. With no Eros and no Storge to define it, Philia became transactional just as I had seen growing up. That’s how I entered into marriage. That was what I knew, but I wanted something different because I saw that what I knew wasn’t working.
Walking through the complete and selfless love of God brings the others into sharp focus. It defines them and the healthy role they play in our lives.
Without His love, we cannot really show love. Without His love, 1 Corinthians 13 means nothing.
Hello,
Who am I?
I’ve walked a path I didn’t ask for, guided by a God I can’t ignore. I don’t wear titles well—writer, teacher, leader—they fit like borrowed armor. But I know this: I’ve bled truth onto a page, challenged what I was told to swallow, and led only because I refused to follow where I couldn’t see Christ.
I don’t see greatness in the mirror. I see someone ordinary, shaped by pain and made resilient through it. I’m not above anyone. I’m not below anyone. I’m just trying to live what I believe and document the war inside so others know they aren’t alone.
If you’re looking for polished answers, you won’t find them here.
But if you’re looking for honesty, tension, paradox, and a relentless pursuit of truth,
you’re in the right place.
If you’re unsure of what path to follow or disillusioned with the world today and are willing to walk with me along this path I follow, you’ll never be alone. Everyone is welcome and invited to participate as much as they feel comfortable with.
Now, welcome home. I’m Don.
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