ἀγαπάω (Agapao)

MEANINGTo love with the will: a chosen, self-giving love. Strong's G25 glosses it 'to love (in a social or moral sense)'. Distinct in emphasis from phileo (G5368, affection, fondness), though the two are not airtight categories and John uses them interchangeably at points.

GRAMMARG25, the verb; the noun agape is G26, 'from G25'. In John 3:16 the form is the aorist egapesen, 'God so loved the world': a settled act, not a mood.

SIGNIFICANCEThe emphasis of agapao is a love of the will and the choice, which is why God can command it ('love your enemies,' Matt 5:44) in a way you cannot command a feeling. It matters most in John 3:16: God's love for the world is agapao, a settled, giving love for the whole world, not a warm regard for the loveable. The word that describes God's love for the world is a word you can aim at anyone.

KEY VERSE / SCRIPTURESJohn 3:16 (God so loved the world); Matthew 5:44 (love your enemies).

CROSS-REFERENCESφιλέω phileo (G5368) · the Agapao essay · /answers/agapao