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This week on the Hope Rescue Podcast, we're launching a brand-new series on love—what it truly means, how it's defined in Scripture, and how we can live it out in our daily lives. Love is at the very heart of the Christian life, but to truly understand it, we need to go back to its original language—Koine Greek, the language of the New Testament.
Koine Greek was the common language spoken and written from around 300 BC to 300 AD. After Alexander the Great conquered much of the known world, Greek became the unifying language across the vast regions of the Roman Empire. This linguistic bridge made communication, trade, and even the spread of the gospel possible.
The New Testament was written in Koine Greek, which means that when we read the Bible’s descriptions of love, we are actually encountering words with rich, layered meanings that go beyond the limitations of the English language. The Greeks didn’t have just one word for love; they had four, each describing a different kind of love.
The Four Types of Love in the Bible
Éros (ἔρως) – Romantic, Passionate Love
This is the love most associated with romantic attraction and physical desire. Though éros itself does not appear in the Bible, its concept is reflected in passages like Song of Solomon, where the beauty and passion of marital love are celebrated.
Storgē (στοργή) – Familial, Protective Love
This is the deep, protective love between family members, such as between parents and children, siblings, or even close companions.
Biblical Example: Romans 12:10 – "Be devoted to one another in love (philostorgos, a compound of philía and storgē)."
Philía (φιλία) – Brotherly, Deep Friendship Love
This is the love of true friendship, camaraderie, and deep connection. It is the kind of love Jesus referred to when He spoke of laying down one's life for a friend.
Biblical Example: John 15:13 – "Greater love (philía) has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
Agápē (ἀγάπη) – Unconditional, Selfless, Sacrificial Love
This is the highest, purest form of love, the self-sacrificing, unconditional love of God. Agápē love is not based on feelings or emotions but on a decision to act in the best interest of others, regardless of the cost.
Biblical Example: John 3:16 – "For God so loved (agápē) the world that He gave His only Son..."
What Does True Love Look Like? (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
1 Corinthians 13 is often called the "Love Chapter" because it beautifully defines what real love looks like in action.
"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
Let’s break down two key qualities of love mentioned in this passage:
Love is Patient (Makrothumeó – μακροθυμέω)
This Greek word is a combination of two words:
Makros (long, enduring)
Thumos (passion, temper)
It literally means to be long-suffering, slow to anger, and able to show restraint under pressure.
True love is willing to endure hardship for the sake of another without lashing out or giving up.
Love is Kind (Chrésteuomai – χρηστεύομαι)
The Greek word chrésteuomai means more than just being nice—it implies an active demonstration of goodness and a willingness to serve others.
Biblical kindness is selfless, intentional, and rooted in love. It’s not just about how we feel but how we act toward others.
As we begin this series on love, here are three questions to ask yourself:
Do I have patience with others, even when it’s hard?
Do I actively show kindness, even when I don’t feel like it?
Do I focus on the needs of others over my own desires?
This is just the beginning of our deep dive into biblical love! Stay tuned for more episodes in this powerful series! If this episode encouraged you, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend! You can also connect with us on social media or browse our website for more resources.
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