5 Greek Words For Love In The Bible

The study of 5 Greek Words For Love In The Bible reveals powerful truths for our walk with God, friendships, marriages, and families.

Key Takeaways – 5 Greek Words for Love in the Bible

Understanding the Greek words agápē, phileō, storgē, eros, and thelēma reveals the rich tapestry of love in Scripture.
Agápē is God’s selfless, unconditional love, phileō is affectionate friendship, storgē is familial devotion, eros is romantic delight (found in the LXX), and thelēma expresses loving submission through the will of God.
Each form of love serves a distinct purpose in Christian life—from communion to covenant, family, marriage, and surrender to God’s will.
Applying these Greek terms helps believers embody and reflect Christ’s love in all relationships.
Teaching on these words invites us to love more deeply, faithfully, and intentionally.

5 Greek Words for Love in the Bible

Love is a word we use often, but in Scripture, it carries richer meaning than one simple definition can hold. When Jesus spoke of love, He used words that carried layers of depth—love that gives, love that stays, and love that seeks.

I remember sitting with a young couple preparing for marriage. They spoke of romance, but quickly realized love is more than feelings. Scripture shows us love is sacrificial, steadfast, and surrendered to God’s will.

Today, we’ll explore 5 Greek Words For Love In The Bible. Together, they give us a complete picture of how God calls us to love.

1. Love that Sacrifices (Agápē – ἀγάπη)

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

A. Love that gives freely

Agápē is the love that flows from God’s heart, giving without asking for repayment. Jesus said, “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8). That is the very nature of agápē—selfless generosity. Think of a parent who loves their child through every mistake. God’s love is even greater.

This is the love that sent Jesus to earth, not because we deserved it, but because God chose to give Himself. John 3:16 reminds us that “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son.” True agápē does not measure the cost. It gives until it blesses.

B. Love that saves fully

Agápē is not only generous, it is saving. Romans 5:8 says, “God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” What greater proof of love could we ever need?

Christ’s sacrifice shows us that agápē does more than meet needs. It rescues, redeems, and restores. When Jesus stretched out His arms on the cross, He said with action what words could never fully say. His love saves completely, bringing us into peace with God.

2. Love that Shares (Phileō – φιλέω)

“No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. (John 15:15)

A. Love that bonds deeply

Phileō is the love of close friendship, the bond that grows when trust and affection are shared. Jesus called His disciples “friends” in John 15:15, showing us the value of this love. Real friendship does not happen quickly, but it runs deep once it takes root.

This kind of love sustains us when life gets heavy. Ecclesiastes 4:10 says, “If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” Phileō is the gift of walking side by side, sharing joy and sorrow alike.

B. Love that blesses warmly

Phileō adds warmth to our relationships, making them more than formal connections. When Jesus wept at Lazarus’ tomb, the people said, “See how He loved him” (John 11:36). They used phileō, the love of personal closeness.

Warm affection blesses the church too. When believers greet each other with kindness and care, we reflect Christ’s heart. This love strengthens our witness and reminds us that Christianity is not just truth but also family.

3. Love that Stays (Storgē – στοργή, from στέργω)

“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another” (Romans 12:10)

A. Love that holds naturally

Storgē is natural affection, the kind you see between parents and children. Though the word itself is rare, its compound form appears in Romans 12:10 where Paul calls us to be “devoted” to one another. Devotion flows from the same family-rooted loyalty.

Source: Walter Bauer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 2nd ed., rev. and aug. Frederick W. Danker (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1979), p. 766.

This love holds firm when seasons change. Parents know their children will stumble, yet love never quits. In the same way, God invites His people to show storgē toward each other within His family, even when life gets messy.

B. Love that honors loyally

Storgē love shows loyalty in everyday faithfulness. It is not about big dramatic moments but about steady devotion. Paul speaks of being “astorgos,” without natural affection, as a sign of brokenness in 2 Timothy 3:3. Where love is absent, loyalty collapses.

God calls His church to live differently. By honoring one another with devoted love, we become a spiritual household that reflects the loyalty of our Father. Loyalty in love is more than words—it is daily commitment.

4. Love that Seeks (Eros – ἔρως, found in the LXX)

“Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—For your love is better than wine.” (Songs of Solomon 1:2)

A. Love that delights romantically

Eros refers to romantic love, celebrated within the covenant of marriage. While the New Testament does not use the term directly, the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) does, especially in Song of Solomon. There we see eros as something beautiful and God-given.

“Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—for your love is more delightful than wine” (Song of Solomon 1:2). Romantic love delights the senses and bonds husband and wife, when expressed within God’s plan.

B. Love that desires purely

Though eros speaks of passion, it must be shaped by purity. Hebrews 13:4 says, “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure.” Passion finds its rightful place within God’s covenant gift of marriage.

The world twists eros into lust, but God designed it as a holy desire. When we guard eros with purity, we not only honor marriage, but also testify that God’s ways bring lasting joy.

5. Love that Submits (Thelēma – θέλημα, related concept)

“Saying, ‘Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.'” (Luke 22:42)

A. Love that yields gladly

Thelēma means will or desire, and when connected with love, it speaks of choosing God’s way over our own. Jesus prayed, “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). His submission flowed from love for the Father and for us.

True love is willing to yield. It does not cling to selfish desires but says, “Lord, I trust Your plan is best.” Thelēma reminds us that love involves surrender of the heart.

B. Love that obeys willingly

Love that submits expresses itself in willing obedience. First John 5:3 says, “This is love for God: to keep his commands.” Obedience is not drudgery when love is genuine.

When we obey God’s will, we show trust in His wisdom and goodness. Our actions declare, “Lord, I love You.” Love without obedience is empty, but obedience with love glorifies God.

Source: Kittel, Gerhard, and Gerhard Friedrich, editors. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Vol. 3, translated by Geoffrey W. Bromiley, (Eerdmans, 1965), pp. 45-62.

Conclusion

As we’ve seen, God’s Word paints love in vibrant colors—sacrificial, relational, loyal, pure, and surrendered to His will. Each expression matters.

Agápē calls us to give, phileō calls us to share, storgē keeps us faithful, eros delights in purity, and thelēma submits to God.

So let’s not treat love as a shallow word. Let’s embrace it as a calling, showing the world Christ’s love in every relationship.

Source Material

Bauer, Walter. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. 3rd ed., revised and edited by Frederick William Danker, University of Chicago Press, 2000.

Kittel, Gerhard, and Gerhard Friedrich, editors. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Vol. 3, translated by Geoffrey W. Bromiley, Eerdmans, 1965.

Vine, W. E. Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Thomas Nelson, 1985.

Believer’s Bible Commentary by William MacDonald

The MacArthur Bible Commentary by John MacArthur

Wiersbe Bible Commentaries by Warren Wiersbe

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What are the four Greek words for love in the Bible?

A: They are agápē (selfless, sacrificial love), phileō (brotherly friendship), storgē (familial affection), and eros (romantic love, used in the LXX).

Q: Which Greek word for love is used most often in the New Testament?

A: Agápē appears most frequently in the New Testament and denotes God’s unconditional, covenantal love.

Q: Is eros used in the New Testament?

A: No, eros does not appear in the New Testament but it is present in the Septuagint (LXX) to describe romantic, marital love.

Q: How is phileō different from agápē in Scripture?

A: Phileō reflects affectionate, emotional friendship, whereas agápē is a willful, sacrificial commitment regardless of emotion.

Q: What is storgē in the Bible?

A: Storgē refers to familial love and natural affection. The term itself appears only in compound form (philostorgos) in Romans 12:10, urging devotion among believers. στοργή (storgē) comes from the root verb: στέργω (stergō).

Number	Main Point	Bible Verse	Meaning
1	Love that Sacrifices (Agápē)	John 3:16	God’s unconditional love giving Himself for us.
2	Love that Shares (Phileō)	John 15:15	Warm friendship that bonds believers deeply.
3	Love that Stays (Storgē)	Romans 12:10 (philostorgos)	Family-style devotion that endures through trials.
4	Love that Seeks (Eros)	Song of Solomon 1:2 (LXX)	Romantic delight within the gift of marriage.
5	Love that Submits (Thelēma)	Luke 22:42	Loving surrender of our will to God’s purposes.