Koine (common) Greek, the Greek of the New Testament, is often much more specific than English.  This is important for those wanting to understand exactly what the New Testament means.  An example of this specificity is the Koine Greek words used to describe the word “love.”

In English, the word “love” can be applied to a variety of types of love. “Love” can apply to feelings toward a spouse, parents, siblings, strangers, or even a cup of coffee.  Koine Greek, however, uses a specific word for each type of love.  Here are the Greek words that were used during Christ’s time to convey the different meanings of the word “Love”:

• Eros (ἔρως):  Refers to romantic love felt towards one’s spouse or lover. This Greek term is where the word “erotic” is derived from. The word “Eros” is not actually used in either the Old or New Testaments.
• Phileo (φιλέω): Refers to feelings one has towards close friends; “brotherly love”. This word was used in the New Testament to describe Jesus’ love for his disciples (John 20:2) and for Lazarus (John 11:3).
• Agape (ἀγάπη): Sometimes called “God’s kind of love”.  This is the kind of love that we should have for all men, and also for our enemies. It is a selfless kind of love that Christians must have in regard to acting in the best interest for all human beings. “But 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 5:44).
• Storge (στοργή): This Greek word refers to love we have for our parents, siblings, our children and other members of our family. Paul used this word in the negative in Romans 1:31 when he described the pagans that he was in contact with as being without “natural affection.”