Greek Word Study · Strong’s G25
ἀγαπάω
agapaō · “to love”
Used 143 times across 22 books
Definition
ἀγαπάω, -ῶ,
[in LXX chiefly for אהב ;]
to love, to feel and exhibit esteem and goodwill to a person, to prize and delight in a thing.
1. Of human affection, to men: τ. πλησίον, Mat.5:43; τ. ἐχθρούς, ib. 44; to Christ, Jhn.8:42; to God, Mat.22:37; with accusative of thing(s), Luk.11:43, Jhn.12:43, Eph.5:25, II Tim 4:8, 10, Heb.1:9, 1Pe.2:17, 3:10, 2Pe.2:15, 1Jn.2:15, Rev.12:11.
2. Of divine love;
(a) God's love: to men, Rom.8:37; to Christ, Jhn.3:35;
(b) Christ's love: to men, Mrk.10:21; to God, Jhn.14:31; with cogn. accusative, Jhn.17:26, Eph.2:4.
SYN.: φιλέω. From its supposed etymology (Thayer, LS; but see 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, see word)
[in LXX chiefly for אהב ;]
to love, to feel and exhibit esteem and goodwill to a person, to prize and delight in a thing.
1. Of human affection, to men: τ. πλησίον, Mat.5:43; τ. ἐχθρούς, ib. 44; to Christ, Jhn.8:42; to God, Mat.22:37; with accusative of thing(s), Luk.11:43, Jhn.12:43, Eph.5:25, II Tim 4:8, 10, Heb.1:9, 1Pe.2:17, 3:10, 2Pe.2:15, 1Jn.2:15, Rev.12:11.
2. Of divine love;
(a) God's love: to men, Rom.8:37; to Christ, Jhn.3:35;
(b) Christ's love: to men, Mrk.10:21; to God, Jhn.14:31; with cogn. accusative, Jhn.17:26, Eph.2:4.
SYN.: φιλέω. From its supposed etymology (Thayer, LS; but see 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, see word)
Where it appears
Matthew8
Mark5
Luke13
John37
Romans8
1 Corinthians2
2 Corinthians4
Galatians2
Ephesians10
Colossians2
1 Thessalonians2
2 Thessalonians2
2 Timothy2
Hebrews2
James3
1 Peter4
2 Peter1
1 John28
2 John2
3 John1
Jude1
Revelation4
In the text
Matthew 5:43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.Matthew 5:44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;Matthew 5:46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?Matthew 6:24No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.Matthew 19:19Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.Matthew 22:37Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.Matthew 22:39And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.Mark 10:21Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.Mark 12:30And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.Mark 12:31And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
Lexicon data from STEPBible.org · CC BY 4.0 · Verse text KJV