What Is Agape Love?
What Is Agape Love? Agape is the Greek word for unconditional, selfless love — the highest form of love described in the Bible, exemplified by God's love for humanity.
Key verse: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (KJV)
Agape is the Greek word for unconditional, selfless love — the highest form of love described in the Bible, exemplified by God's love for humanity.
Agape is the Greek word for unconditional, selfless love — the highest form of love described in the Bible, exemplified by God's love for humanity.
"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." — 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
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The Biblical Answer
The New Testament uses several Greek words for love. Agape (ἀγάπη) represents the highest form — unconditional, sacrificial, and not dependent on the worthiness of the recipient. It is the love God has for us (John 3:16), the love Christ demonstrated on the cross (Romans 5:8), and the love believers are commanded to show one another (John 13:34). Unlike phileo (brotherly affection) or eros (romantic love), agape is a deliberate choice to seek another's good regardless of feeling or reciprocity. Paul's description in 1 Corinthians 13 is essentially a portrait of agape love in action.
Key Scripture References
"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
What Does the Bible Say About Love?
The Bible teaches that God is love, that He demonstrated love by sending His Son, and that love for God and neighbor is the greatest commandment.
What Is the Fruit of the Spirit?
The fruit of the Spirit is the character produced in believers by the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.
Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead?
The Bible presents the resurrection as historical fact, supported by eyewitness testimony, an empty tomb, and transformed lives.
Is Jesus God?
Yes — the Bible teaches that Jesus is fully God and fully man, the second person of the Trinity.
What Is the Trinity?
The Trinity is the doctrine that God exists as three persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — in one divine being.
Deep Dive Commentary
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Agape (ἀγάπη (Agapē))
Unconditional, self-sacrificial love; the highest form of love
Agape Feast (ἀγάπη (agapē))
A communal love feast shared by early Christians alongside the Lord's Supper.
Strong's G26 — Agape
ἀγάπη (Agapē) • Unconditional, self-sacrificial love; the highest form of love
Read it in context
The answer above sits inside 1 Corinthians. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read 1 Corinthians on day 324 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “What Is Agape Love?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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