bible study · kjv
What Is Love in the Bible
What is love according to the Bible? The four Greek words — agape, philia, eros, storge — and Hebrew ahavah and chesed. Scripture's definition of love.
What Is Love According to the Bible?
English has a single word — love — for a range of meanings: romantic passion, friendship, family affection, sacrificial devotion. Biblical Hebrew and Greek are more precise. Scripture uses several distinct words, each describing a different facet of love.
The Greek Words for Love
1. Agápē (ἀγάπη, G26)
Used over 100 times in the New Testament. Describes a deliberate, willed, sacrificial love — a choice rather than a feeling. John 3:16 uses this word: "For God so loved (ēgapēsen) the world, that he gave his only begotten Son."
1 John 4:8 — "God is love (agápē)" — defines love as part of God's nature. 1 Corinthians 13 is the extended portrait: love "suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up."
2. Philía (φιλία, G5373) — or the verb philéō (φιλέω, G5368)
Brotherly love, affection, friendship. Used of the love between friends (John 11:3 — "Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick," of Lazarus). The famous exchange in John 21:15–17 plays on the contrast between agapáō and philéō when Jesus restores Peter.
3. Storgḗ (στοργή)
Familial affection — love between parents and children, siblings. This word appears in the New Testament only in its negated form (ástorgos) in Romans 1:31 and 2 Timothy 3:3, describing people "without natural affection."
4. Érōs (ἔρως)
Romantic/sexual love. Though the word itself is not used in the New Testament, the concept appears throughout — most fully in the Song of Solomon.
The Hebrew Words for Love
Ahavah (אַהֲבָה, H160)
The general word for love — used of romantic love (Jacob's love for Rachel in Genesis 29:20), family love, and love for God (Deuteronomy 6:5 — "thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart").
Chesed (חֶסֶד, H2617)
Often translated "lovingkindness," "mercy," or "steadfast love" in the KJV. It describes loyal, covenant-faithful love — the kind of love that honors commitments. Used of God's love in Psalm 136, where every verse ends: "for his mercy (chesed) [endureth] for ever."
Key Passages
- Leviticus 19:18 — "thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself"
- Deuteronomy 6:5 — the Shema: "thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart"
- John 13:34 — "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another"
- 1 John 4:8, 16 — "God is love"
- 1 Corinthians 13 — the love chapter
What is love according to the Bible?
The Bible addresses what is love with deep compassion and clarity. From the Psalms to the words of Jesus, Scripture meets you in this exact feeling and offers comfort, strength, and direction. Here are the most powerful verses — each chosen because they speak directly to what you're going through.
Most Powerful Verses
1 John 4:8
“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”
— Bible
1 John 4:16
“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”
— Bible
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
— Bible
1 Corinthians 13:4
“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,”
— Bible
1 Corinthians 13:5
“Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;”
— Bible
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1 Corinthians 13:13
“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”
Leviticus 19:18
“Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.”
Deuteronomy 6:5
“And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”
John 13:34
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”
Romans 5:8
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
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