I have always been fascinated with the Greek translations of the scriptures. I am certainly not educated in Greek or in theology, but I still enjoy studying the original text. Something that so many of us take for granted is the word "Love." We say we LOVE our children, we LOVE God, we LOVE chocolate, and we LOVE our cat. Now, we know that we do not LOVE each of them the same way, but in English, LOVE is the only word we have for LOVE.
Seems a little crazy, but that is how it is. Now, in the Bible, if you look up the word Love in the Greek translation, there are different words used for LOVE - Agape and Phileo. Understanding the difference in them gave me a new appreciation for this conversation between Jesus and Peter in John 21:15-17:
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love (agape) me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love (phileo) you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love (agape) me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love (phileo) you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love (phileo) me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love (phileo) me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love (phileo) you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
So, why did Jesus ask Peter three times? The first two times He asked him "do you AGAPE me?"
Peter replied "I PHILEO you". The third time Jesus asked "do you PHILEO me?" Peter was hurt (some translations say grieved) when he replied "I PHILEO you."
Agape love is not necessarily a feeling, but a choice. Here is a good explanation I found:
"God so “loved” (agape) that He gave His Son. It did not feel good to God to do that, but it was the loving thing to do. Christ so loved (agape) that he gave his life. He did not want to die, but he loved, so he did what God required. A mother who loves a sick baby will stay up all night long caring for it, which is not something she wants to do, but is a true act of agape love." Agape love is sacrificial.
So, what is Phileo love? "to have a special interest in someone or something, frequently with focus on close association; have affection for, like, consider someone a friend.”
This really made me think about how I LOVE Jesus....do I AGAPE Him? Am I willing to sacrifice for Him out of obedience? Jesus was asking Peter to AGAPE Him and I know He has asked me to do the same.
Or do I PHILEO Him? Do I just have a deep affection for Him like I do my close friends? Like Peter, I was grieved to realize that I was not ready to love Jesus sacrificially when He first called me. But I am so thankful that He continued to pursue me and ask me to AGAPE Him, which is a choice I intentionally make every day. To walk in obedience and sacrifice my life to Him is worth the love and blessings He pours out on me.
I challenge you today to think about HOW you love Jesus....
Seems a little crazy, but that is how it is. Now, in the Bible, if you look up the word Love in the Greek translation, there are different words used for LOVE - Agape and Phileo. Understanding the difference in them gave me a new appreciation for this conversation between Jesus and Peter in John 21:15-17:
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love (agape) me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love (phileo) you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love (agape) me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love (phileo) you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love (phileo) me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love (phileo) me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love (phileo) you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
So, why did Jesus ask Peter three times? The first two times He asked him "do you AGAPE me?"
Peter replied "I PHILEO you". The third time Jesus asked "do you PHILEO me?" Peter was hurt (some translations say grieved) when he replied "I PHILEO you."
Agape love is not necessarily a feeling, but a choice. Here is a good explanation I found:
"God so “loved” (agape) that He gave His Son. It did not feel good to God to do that, but it was the loving thing to do. Christ so loved (agape) that he gave his life. He did not want to die, but he loved, so he did what God required. A mother who loves a sick baby will stay up all night long caring for it, which is not something she wants to do, but is a true act of agape love." Agape love is sacrificial.
So, what is Phileo love? "to have a special interest in someone or something, frequently with focus on close association; have affection for, like, consider someone a friend.”
This really made me think about how I LOVE Jesus....do I AGAPE Him? Am I willing to sacrifice for Him out of obedience? Jesus was asking Peter to AGAPE Him and I know He has asked me to do the same.
Or do I PHILEO Him? Do I just have a deep affection for Him like I do my close friends? Like Peter, I was grieved to realize that I was not ready to love Jesus sacrificially when He first called me. But I am so thankful that He continued to pursue me and ask me to AGAPE Him, which is a choice I intentionally make every day. To walk in obedience and sacrifice my life to Him is worth the love and blessings He pours out on me.
I challenge you today to think about HOW you love Jesus....