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Agape (/ɑːˈɡɑːpeɪ, ˈɑːɡəˌpeɪ, ˈæɡə-/;[1] from Ancient Greek ἀγάπη (agápē)) is "the highest form of love, charity" and "the love of God for [human beings] and of [human beings] for God".[2] This is in contrast to philia, brotherly love, or philautia, self-love, as it embraces a profound sacrificial love that transcends and persists regardless of circumstance.
The verb form goes as far back as Homer, translated literally as affection, as in "greet with affection" and "show affection for the dead".[2] Other ancient authors have used forms of the word to denote love of a spouse or family, or affection for a particular activity, in contrast to eros (an affection of a sexual nature).
In the New Testament, agape refers to the covenant love of God for humans, as well as the human reciprocal love for God; the term necessarily extends to the love of one's fellow human beings.[3] Some contemporary writers have sought to extend the use of agape into non-religious contexts.[4]
The concept of agape has been widely examined within its Christian context.[5] It has also been considered in the contexts of other religions,[6] religious ethics,[7] and science.[8]
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- "agape". Lexico UK English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on November 23, 2021.
- "agape". Dictionary.com Unabridged (Online). n.d.
- ^ a b Liddell, Henry George; Scott, Robert (1901). "ἀγάπη". A Greek-English Lexicon. Oxford: Clarendon Press. p. 6.
- ^ "agape". Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 2011.
- ^ Oord (2005); Oord (2010).
- ^ Nygren, Anders (1953) [1938–39], Eros and Agape, translated by Watson, P.S., Harper & Row
- ^ Templeton, John (1999). Agape Love: Tradition In Eight World Religions. Templeton Foundation Press. ISBN 978-1-890151-29-4.
- ^ Grant, Colin (1996). "For the Love of God: Agape". Journal of Religious Ethics. 4 (10): 3–21. JSTOR 40016679.
- ^ Browning (2002); Post (2002).