What is the Agape or the Highest Form of Love?

ALLUSIVE ... Love is an allusive term that is subject to many interpretations. To develop an understanding of love one must understand the Greek root meanings of the word. Love basically has three avenues of interpretation; Eros, Phileo and Agape.

EROS ... To love someone with an Eros type of love is to be strongly drawn to them physically and sexually in an erotic way. Eros is the basest type of love and if Eros alone is directed toward another and excludes the other forms of love it is merely self indulgent.

PHILEO ... Phileo type of love (friendship love)adds value to a relationship in that it possesses affection, a friendship and loyalty toward another. It is a true appreciation for the personhood of the one you Phileo. This Phileo type of love is drawn toward the character and commonality of values you share with a cherished friend. A kindred spirit is the starting point of a Phileo love. There is great comfort in the love you share with your comrade.

The greatest love of all is called Agape love for it transcends all others. It is a love that is not dependant on another to love you back. Agape love begins and ends within a person’s heart. A beautiful and lofty definition of Agape love is found in the Bible where some very expressive and descriptive words are used to convey what Agape love looks like. The passage in I Corinthians 13 portrays Agape love in descriptive terms such as; love is patient and kind and forgiving. Love is not easily angered; it is not selfish and never keeps a record of wrongs. Love protects its loved one, it always trusts, it always hopes for the best and it just keeps on giving.

In today’s world there are not many people who are even courageous enough to Agape love their marriage partner. In fact we find that many people opt. for a prenuptial agreement before they will even commit to marriage. The fear of being betrayed or the belief that one can fall 'out of love' is what motivates the prenuptial loophole.

An Agape love rises above the best of arguments and reasoning. It rises above and beholds, nurtures, gives and commits to the object of his love. I believe that when a person possesses an Agape love for another it is to be revered as the rarest, purest and holiest of all loves.