Eros, Philos and Agape
Submitted by J on January 10 2002 01:05:50
In reply to Re: Boylove. . . is it really LOVE? submitted by Ben on January 8 2002 07:36:01
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Dear Ben, I remember seeing a book entitled ‘The Four Loves’ by C.S. Lewis on my dad’s bookshelf when I was a kid – I wonder if it dealt with the three loves (eros, philos and agape) plus maybe a fourth (?). The first love (eroV) is not found in the New Testament, but its root is found in the proper name Erastus (ErastoV), which means ‘beloved’ (cf. Acts 19:22; Romans 16:23; 2 Timothy 4:20). Though not in the New Testament, this love is found in the LXX (Greek translation of the Old Testament), for example: What are you doing, O devastated one? ..Why dress yourself in scarlet ..and put on jewels of gold? Why shade your eyes with paint? ..You adorn yourself in vain. Your lovers (erastai) despise you; ...they seek your life. Jeremiah 4:30 This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Because you poured out your wealth and exposed your nakedness in your promiscuity with your lovers (erastaV), and because of all your detestable idols, and because you gave them your children’s blood, therefore I am going to gather all your lovers (erastaV), with whom you found pleasure, those you loved as well as those you hated. I will gather them against you from all around and will strip you in front of them, and they will see all your nakedness. Ezekiel 16:36-37 Their mother has been unfaithful ..and has conceived them in disgrace. She said, ‘I will go after my lovers (erastwn), ..who give me my food and my water, ..my wool and my linen, ..my oil and my drink.’ Hosea 2:5 The second and third loves (filoV; agaph) are used interchangeably, though there is emphasis placed on the qualities of ‘agape’ love which set it apart from the friendly, brotherly love of ‘philos’, for example in the following passages where both are found: When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love (agapaV) me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love (filw) you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love (agapaV) me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love (filw) you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love (fileiV) me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love (fileiV) me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love (filw) you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” John 21:15-17 Now about brotherly love (filadelfiaV) we do not need to write to you, yourselves have been taught by God to love (agapan) each other. 1 Thessalonians 4:9 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers (filadelfian), love (agaphsate) one another deeply, from the heart. 1 Peter 1:22 Thanks for bringing up the three differing loves in Greek, for it really sums up well the argument that as boy lovers, we do truly love. For if it were just an ‘eros’ (erotic) love for boys that we had, then the argument that it was not a true love would hold. But since we do love boys in a ‘philos’ and most importantly an ‘agape’ manner, our love is truly love. Agape in the Lord, J |
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