Different Kinds of Love

I “love” my wife, I “love” ice cream, and I “love” the people I am trying to reach through World Bible School or the Prison Ministry. That does not mean that I treat them all alike. I love ice cream and show it by licking on the ice cream cone, but I don’t treat my wife the same way. The word “love” has come to be an overused word in English, with different and sometimes conflicting meanings.

Agape is selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love, the highest of the four types of love in the Bible. This Greek word and variations of it are found throughout the New Testament. Agape perfectly describes the kind of love Jesus Christ has for his Father and for his followers: Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them. (John 14:21, NIV) Also John 13:34 A newG2537 commandmentG1785 I giveG1325 unto you,G5213 ThatG2443 ye loveG25 one another;G240 asG2531 I have lovedG25 you,G5209 thatG2443 yeG5210 alsoG2532 loveG25 one another.G240. The “love” there is agapeo, the highest kind of love. Most commands to love in the New Testament are of the agape' variety. The commandents that are left are for love of the philia or phileo kind.

Agape often involves a choice first and an emotion second. Rom 5:8 "But God commends His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us." The Good Samaritan chose to help the beaten traveler ( Luke 10: 25-38) before he knew his name or anything about him. To varying degrees, the other forms of love are more reactionary to the characteristics of the other person than agape', which loves whether the recipient of the love is attractive, wealthy, talented, or influential. Eros outside of marrige usually involves emotion first and reasoning later.

Philia means close friendship or brotherly love in Greek. It is one of the four types of love in the Bible. Philia and other forms of this Greek noun are found throughout the New Testament. Christians are frequently exhorted to love their fellow Christians: Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. (Romans 12:10 ESV)
Source: http://christianity.about.com/od/glossary/a/Philia.htm

Storge is family love, the bond among mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers. As with eros, this Greek word does not appear in the Bible. However, many examples of family love are found in Scripture, such as the love and mutual protection among Noah and his wife, their sons and daughters-in-law in Genesis; the love of Jacob for his sons; and the strong love the sisters Martha and Mary in the gospels had for their brother Lazarus. The family was a vital part of ancient Jewish culture. In the Ten Commandments, God charges his people to: Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. (Exodus 20:12, NIV)
Pronunciation: STOR-jay
Example:
Storge is the natural love and affection of a parent for their child.
Source: http://christianity.about.com/od/glossary/a/Storge.htm

*Thelema (θέλημα thélēma) means "desire" in ancient and modern Greek. It is the desire to do something, to be occupied, or to be in prominence. [Today this may describe many peoples’ interests in sports or hobbies—STW]
Source:
Wikipedia

Mania – Manic love is almost not a love at all. The word “lust” is probably not strong enough – “obsession” is closer to the word. This is the love of possession. I “mania” that which I obsessively desire to own. It is generally seen as taking over the “lover” like insanity – thus the connection to modern concepts of madness (kleptomania, pyromania). It is like the opposite of a phobia – an obsessive need to avoid something. “Mania” is translated as “madness” and “beside yourself” in Acts 26.

Descriptors of Agape’ from I Corinthians 13	Agape	Philia	Storge	Eros	Thelema	Mania
LOVE SUFFERETH LONG - God's love has a tolerance for and endures trying situations and persons beyond an average standard. God's love is patient.	Yes (is like the way God loves)	Somewhat	Yes	No (fails the test of agape')	No	No!
LOVE IS KIND - God's love is of a friendly nature, generous, hospitable, warm-hearted, and good. God's love is charitable and helpful, showing sympathy and understanding for others. It is considerate, forbearing, tolerant, courteous, and thoughtful, desiring only to promote another’s welfare. It is generous, liberal, and beneficial, demonstrating itself in kindly acts.	Yes	Yes	Yes	Only when it is getting what it wants.	Sometimes	No
LOVE ENVIETH NOT - God's love does not resent another's good fortune or desire to have what is his. God's love is not jealous and does not deprive another of what he has.	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
LOVE VAUNTETH NOT ITSELF - God's love does not boast and brag or abound with self-praise. It is not vain or proud.	Yes	Not usually	Yes	No. Eros highly recommends itself.	No.	No.
LOVE IS NOT PUFFED UP - God's love is not high-minded or puffed up with pride.	Yes	Yes	Yes	Fails this test.	Yes	Fails
LOVE DOTH NOT BEHAVE ITSELF UNSEEMLY - God's love does not act, react, function, or perform in a manner which is in bad taste, improper, or in violation of what is right.	Yes	Yes	Yes	Badly fails this Biblical test in order to fulfill its desires	Yes	No (fails)
LOVE SEEKETH NOT HER OWN - God's love does not demand its own way.	Yes	Usually Yes	Yes	Self indulgent, self seeking	No.	No.
LOVE IS NOT EASILY PROVOKED - God's love is not easily annoyed or incited to anger or resentment.	Yes	Yes	Yes	Outside of marriage, can easily be provoked. Unstable.	Yes--is like Agape in many respects.	No
LOVE THINKETH NO EVIL - God's love does not reason about or reflect upon that which causes or constitutes misfortune, suffering, difficulty, or the like. God's love does not ponder upon wickedness.	Yes	Yes	Not usually.	Outside of marriage, full of evil. "eyes full of adultery" 2 Peter 2:14	Yes	Yes
LOVE REJOICETH NOT IN INIQUITY - God's love feels joyful when right, sincerity, integrity, honesty, and truth prevail.	Yes	Yes	Yes if we are talking about a Christian home.	Outside of marriage, revels in sin and iniquity.	Yes	Neutral
LOVE BEARETH ALL THINGS - God's love makes it possible to withstand all stress and difficulty. Because God is love, He supports and carries on His own Person whatever is placed upon Him. God's love protects, covers, and keeps off anything which threatens the benefit and welfare of another. God's love holds back, refrains, and is tolerant and patient in all circumstances.	Yes	Mostly. Not as patient as agape'.	Mostly	Eros is flighty, selfish, and impatient.	No	No
LOVE BELIEVETH ALL THINGS - God's love puts faith in others, believing the best of everyone (without criticizing or looking for fault).	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Mostly	No
LOVE HOPETH ALL THINGS - God's love persists in hoping, against all odds, in confidence and expectation of fulfillment of that which is promised.	Yes	Mostly.	Mostly.	Mostly.	Yes	Yes
LOVE ENDURETH ALL THINGS - God's love causes one to carry on through, despite hardships.	Yes	Yes	Yes	No. Selfish if not secured within the bonds of marriage.	Mostly	Yes
LOVE NEVER FAILETH - God's love never proves insufficient in duration or is unsuccessful in effectiveness. Love will never disappoint or prove undependable. God's love goes on forever and will never come to an end.	Yes	Not always.	Usually in healthy families.	No.	Love may morph to a new interest that replaces the old one.	No.

Sin is the transgression of the principles of love. Always let love be your highest aim and your greatest pursuit (1 Cor. 14:1).