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On Valentine’s Day, we think of love, and here are seven types of love described in the Bible using Greek words as found in the New Testament. Here’s what they mean and scriptural examples.
Agapé is a Greek word that means love or goodwill. It is also used when describing benevolence and esteem.
Jesus spoke of this type of love in the following verse:
“By this all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another.”
– John 13: 35
Phileó is a Greek word that means to love. It is used when describing friendship or affection. Cherish her to say I kiss.
“For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him so that you may marvel.”
– John 5:20
Philadelphia is a Greek word meaning brotherly love, the love of brothers, the love of Christian brethren.
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”
– Romans 12:10
Philandros is a Greek word describing a loving man or a wife loving her husband.
Philoteknos is a Greek word referring to loving one’s children.
“That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,”
–Titus 2:4 (KJV)
“and so train the young women to love their husbands and children,”
– Titus 2:4 (ESV)
Agapaó is a Greek word meaning to love, as well as to wish well, take pleasure in, long for, denotes the love of reason, esteem, or used when saying “I love.”
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”
Matthew 5:43-44
Philagathos is a Greek word meaning loving that which is good.
“Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.”
– Titus 1:8 (NIV)
Philanthrópia is a Greek word referring to love for mankind, benevolence, kindness.
“But after that, the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,”
–Titus 3:4
“And the barbarous people showed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.”
–Acts 28:2
