Strong G25ἀγαπάω
to love
- Transliteration
- agapaō
- Pronunciation
- ag-ap-ah'-o
- Morphology
- Greek Verb
Definition
Detailed definition
ἀγαπάω, -ῶ,
[in LXX chiefly for אהב;]
to love, to feel and exhibit esteem and goodwill to a person, to prize and delight in a thing.
1. Of human affection, to men: τ. πλησίον, Mat.5:43; τ. ἐχθρούς, ib. 44; to Christ, Jhn.8:42; to God, Mat.22:37; with accusative of thing(s), Luk.11:43, Jhn.12:43, Eph.5:25, II Tim 4:8, 10, Heb.1:9, 1Pe.2:17, 3:10, 2Pe.2:15, 1Jn.2:15, Rev.12:11.
2. Of divine love;
__(a) God's love: to men, Rom.8:37; to Christ, Jhn.3:35;
__(b) Christ's love: to men, Mrk.10:21; to God, Jhn.14:31; with cogn. accusative, Jhn.17:26, Eph.2:4.
SYN.: φιλέω. From its supposed etymology (Thayer, LS; but see also Boisacq) ἀ. is commonly understood properly to denote love based on esteem (diligo), as distinct from that expressed by φιλέω (amo), spontaneous natural affection, emotional and unreasoning. If this distinction holds, ἀ. is fitly used in NT of Christian love to God and man, the spiritual affection which follows the direction of the will, and which, therefore, unlike that feeling which is instinctive and unreasoned, can be commanded as a duty. (Cf. ἀγάπη, and v. Tr., Syn. §xii; Cremer, 9, 592; and esp. MM, VGT, see word) (AS)
[in LXX chiefly for אהב;]
to love, to feel and exhibit esteem and goodwill to a person, to prize and delight in a thing.
1. Of human affection, to men: τ. πλησίον, Mat.5:43; τ. ἐχθρούς, ib. 44; to Christ, Jhn.8:42; to God, Mat.22:37; with accusative of thing(s), Luk.11:43, Jhn.12:43, Eph.5:25, II Tim 4:8, 10, Heb.1:9, 1Pe.2:17, 3:10, 2Pe.2:15, 1Jn.2:15, Rev.12:11.
2. Of divine love;
__(a) God's love: to men, Rom.8:37; to Christ, Jhn.3:35;
__(b) Christ's love: to men, Mrk.10:21; to God, Jhn.14:31; with cogn. accusative, Jhn.17:26, Eph.2:4.
SYN.: φιλέω. From its supposed etymology (Thayer, LS; but see also Boisacq) ἀ. is commonly understood properly to denote love based on esteem (diligo), as distinct from that expressed by φιλέω (amo), spontaneous natural affection, emotional and unreasoning. If this distinction holds, ἀ. is fitly used in NT of Christian love to God and man, the spiritual affection which follows the direction of the will, and which, therefore, unlike that feeling which is instinctive and unreasoned, can be commanded as a duty. (Cf. ἀγάπη, and v. Tr., Syn. §xii; Cremer, 9, 592; and esp. MM, VGT, see word) (AS)
In the Bible
Strong G25 appears in 109 verses of the KJV.
Translated in the KJV by
- love95
- loveth17
- beloved6
- let2
- thou2
- doth1
- lovedst1
- them1
First verses
- Matthew 5:43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
- Matthew 5:44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
- Matthew 5:46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
- Matthew 6:24No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
- Matthew 19:19Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
- Matthew 22:37Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
- Matthew 22:39And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
- Mark 10:21Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
- Mark 12:30And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
- Mark 12:31And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
- Mark 12:33And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
- Luke 6:27But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
- Luke 6:32For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
- Luke 6:35But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
- Luke 7:5For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.
- Luke 7:42And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
- Luke 7:47Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
- Luke 10:27And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
- Luke 11:43Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.
- Luke 16:13No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Occurrences by book
Related words
Word family
Detailed Greek dictionary
ἀγαπάω
(Doric dialect ἀγαπ-έω [Refs 4th c.BC+ (4th c.BC: Archytas Tarentinus Philosophus cited in 5th c.AD: Stobaeus, Joannes 3.1.110))], Epic dialect aorist ἀγάπησα[Refs 8th c.BC+ (8th c.BC: Odyssea Homerus Epicus “Odyssey” 23.214)]: perfect ἠγάπηκα[Refs 5th c.BC+ (5th-6th c.BC: Isocrates Orator 15.147, etc.)]
I greet with affection (compare {ἀγαπάζω}), once in [Refs 8th c.BC+ (8th c.BC: Homerus Epicus)], Od.[same place]:—in Trag. only show affection for the dead, ὅτ᾽ ἠγάπα νεκρούς[Refs 5th c.BC+ (5th c.BC: Euripides Tragicus “Supplices” 764, compare “Hel.” 937)]:—passive, to be regarded with affection, ξένων εὐεργεσίαις ἀγαπᾶται[Refs 5th c.BC+ (5th c.BC: Pindarus Lyricus “I.” 5(6).70)]:— generally, love, ὥσπερ.. οἱ ποιηταὶ τὰ αὑτῶν ποιήματα καὶ οἱ πατέρες τοὺς παῖδας ἀγαπῶσι[Refs 5th c.BC+ (5th-6th c.BC: Plato Philosophus “Respublica” 330c, compare “Lg.” 928a)]; ὡς λύκοι ἄρν᾽ ἀγαπῶσ᾽ poetical cited in [Refs (“Phdr.” 241d; ἀ. τοὺς ἐπαινέτας [prev. work] 257e)]; ἐπιστήμην, τὰ χρήματα, etc., [Refs 4th c.BC+ ([prev. author] “Phlb.” 62d, +others; τούτους ἀγαπᾶ καὶ περὶ αὑτὸν ἔχει 4th c.BC: Demosthenes Orator 2.19; ὁ μέγιστον ἀγαπῶν δι᾽ ἐλάχιστ᾽ ὀργίζεται 4th-3rd c.BC: Menander Comicus 659)]; especially of children, αὐτὸν ἐτιθηνούμην ἀγαπῶσα[Refs ([prev. author] “Sam.” 32, etc.)]:—passive, [Refs 5th c.BC+ (5th-6th c.BC: Plato Philosophus “Politicus” 301d, etc.; ὑπὸ τῶν θεῶν ἠγαπῆσθαι 4th c.BC: Demosthenes Orator 61.9; ὑπὸ τοῦ φθᾶ “OGI” 90.4 (Rosetta, 2nd c.BC))]; so in LXX of the love of God for man and of man for God, [LXX+NT (LXX.Isa.41.8, LXX.Deu.11.1, +others, cf. NT.John.3.21, NT.Rom.8.28:—as distinct from φιλέω (which see))] implying regard rather than affection, but the two are interchanged,[Refs 5th c.BC+ (compare 5th-6th c.BC: Xenophon Historicus “Memorabilia” 2.7.9 and 12)]; φιλεῖσθαι defined as ἀγαπᾶσθαι αὐτὸν δι᾽ αὑτόν[Refs 4th c.BC+ (4th c.BC: Aristoteles Philosophus “Rhetorica” 1371a21:—seldom of sexual love, for ἐράω, 4th c.BC: Aristoteles Philosophus “Fragmenta” 76, 2nd c.AD: Lucianus Sophista “JTr.” 2; ἀ. ἑταίραν 4th c.BC: Anaxilas Comicus 22.1 (but ἀ. ἑταίρας)] to be fond of them, [Refs 5th c.BC+ (5th-6th c.BC: Xenophon Historicus “Memorabilia” 1.5.4)]; ἐρωτικὴν μέμψιν ἡ ἀγαπωμένη λύει uncertain in [NT+3rd c.AD+ (3rd c.AD: Democritus Epigrammaticus 271):—of brotherly love, NT.Matt.5.43, +others)]
I.2 persuade, entreat, [LXX (LXX.2Ch.18.2.)]
I.3 caress, pet, [Refs 1st c.AD+ (1st-2nd c.AD: Plutarchus Biographus et Philosophus “Pericles” 1.)]
II of things, to be fond of, prize, desire, [NT+5th c.BC+ (5th-6th c.BC: Plato Philosophus “Lysis” 215a, 215b, etc.; τὰ χρήματα “R.” 330c; μᾶλλον τὸ σκότος ἢ τὸ φῶς NT.John.3.19)]; prefer, τὰ Φιλίππου δῶρα ἀντὶ τῶν κοινῇ τοῖς Ἕλλησι συμφερόντων[Refs 4th c.BC+ (4th c.BC: Demosthenes Orator 18.109)]:—passive, λιθίδια τὰ ἀγαπώμενα highly prized, precious stones, [Refs 5th c.BC+ (5th-6th c.BC: Plato Philosophus “Phaedo” 110d.)]
III to be well pleased, contented, once in [Refs 8th c.BC+ (8th c.BC: Homerus Epicus, οὐκ ἀγαπᾷς ὃ ἕκηλος.. μεθ᾽ ἡμῖν δαίνυσα; 8th c.BC: Odyssea Homerus Epicus “Odyssey” 21.289)]; frequently in Attic dialect, ἀγαπᾶν ὅτι.. [Refs 5th c.BC+ (5th c.BC: Thucydides Historicus 6.36)]; more commonly, ἀ. εἰ.. to be well content if.., [Refs 5th c.BC+ (5th c.BC: Lysias Orator 12.11, 5th-6th c.BC: Plato Philosophus “Respublica” 450a, +others)]; ἐὰν[Refs 5th c.BC+ (.. [prev. work] 330b, compare 5th-6th c.BC: Aristophanes Comicus “Vespae” 684, 5th-6th c.BC: Plato Philosophus “Gorgias” 483c, +others)]
III.2 with participle, ἀ. τιμώμενος[Refs 5th c.BC+ (5th-6th c.BC: Plato Philosophus “Respublica” 475b, compare 5th-6th c.BC: Isocrates Orator 12.8, 4th c.BC: Antiphanes Comicus 169)]: with infinitive, οὐκ ἀ. τῶν ἴσων τυγχάνειν τοῖς ἄλλοις[Refs 5th c.BC+ (5th-6th c.BC: Isocrates Orator 18.50, compare 4th c.BC: Demosthenes Orator 55.19, 2nd c.AD: Herodianus Grammaticus 2.15.4, 4th c.AD: Alciphro Epistolographus 3.61, 2nd c.AD: Lucianus Sophista “DMort.” 12.4, etc.)]
III.3 with dative of things, to be contented with, ἀ. τοῖς ὑπάρχουσιν ἀγαθοῖς[Refs 5th c.BC+ (5th c.BC: Lysias Orator 2.21; τοῖς πεπραγμένοις 4th c.BC: Demosthenes Orator 1.14.)]
III.4 with accusative of things, tolerate, put up with, μηκέτι τὴν ἐλευθερίαν ἀ.[Refs 5th c.BC+ (5th-6th c.BC: Isocrates Orator 4.140; τὰ παρόντα 4th c.BC: Demosthenes Orator 6.15; τὸ δίκαιον 5th-6th c.BC: Plato Philosophus “Respublica” 359a (_passive_),compare 4th c.BC: Aristoteles Philosophus “Rhetorica” 1398a23.)]
III.5 rarely with genitive, ἵνα.. τῆς ἀξίας ἀγαπῶσιν may be content with the proper price, [Refs 2nd c.AD+ (2nd c.AD: Alexander Rhetor 125.7.)]
III.6 absolutely, to be content, ἀγαπήσαντες[Refs 4th c.BC+ (4th c.BC: Lycurgus Orator 73, compare 2nd c.AD: Lucianus Sophista “Nec.” 17.)]
III.7 with infinitive, to be fond of doing, wont to do, like{φιλέω}, τοὺς Λυκίους ἀγαπῶντας τὸ τρίχωμα φορεῖν [LXX+4th c.BC+ (4th c.BC: Aristoteles Philosophus “Oeconomica” 1348a29, cf. LXX.Hos.12.7.)]
(Doric dialect ἀγαπ-έω [Refs 4th c.BC+ (4th c.BC: Archytas Tarentinus Philosophus cited in 5th c.AD: Stobaeus, Joannes 3.1.110))], Epic dialect aorist ἀγάπησα[Refs 8th c.BC+ (8th c.BC: Odyssea Homerus Epicus “Odyssey” 23.214)]: perfect ἠγάπηκα[Refs 5th c.BC+ (5th-6th c.BC: Isocrates Orator 15.147, etc.)]
I greet with affection (compare {ἀγαπάζω}), once in [Refs 8th c.BC+ (8th c.BC: Homerus Epicus)], Od.[same place]:—in Trag. only show affection for the dead, ὅτ᾽ ἠγάπα νεκρούς[Refs 5th c.BC+ (5th c.BC: Euripides Tragicus “Supplices” 764, compare “Hel.” 937)]:—passive, to be regarded with affection, ξένων εὐεργεσίαις ἀγαπᾶται[Refs 5th c.BC+ (5th c.BC: Pindarus Lyricus “I.” 5(6).70)]:— generally, love, ὥσπερ.. οἱ ποιηταὶ τὰ αὑτῶν ποιήματα καὶ οἱ πατέρες τοὺς παῖδας ἀγαπῶσι[Refs 5th c.BC+ (5th-6th c.BC: Plato Philosophus “Respublica” 330c, compare “Lg.” 928a)]; ὡς λύκοι ἄρν᾽ ἀγαπῶσ᾽ poetical cited in [Refs (“Phdr.” 241d; ἀ. τοὺς ἐπαινέτας [prev. work] 257e)]; ἐπιστήμην, τὰ χρήματα, etc., [Refs 4th c.BC+ ([prev. author] “Phlb.” 62d, +others; τούτους ἀγαπᾶ καὶ περὶ αὑτὸν ἔχει 4th c.BC: Demosthenes Orator 2.19; ὁ μέγιστον ἀγαπῶν δι᾽ ἐλάχιστ᾽ ὀργίζεται 4th-3rd c.BC: Menander Comicus 659)]; especially of children, αὐτὸν ἐτιθηνούμην ἀγαπῶσα[Refs ([prev. author] “Sam.” 32, etc.)]:—passive, [Refs 5th c.BC+ (5th-6th c.BC: Plato Philosophus “Politicus” 301d, etc.; ὑπὸ τῶν θεῶν ἠγαπῆσθαι 4th c.BC: Demosthenes Orator 61.9; ὑπὸ τοῦ φθᾶ “OGI” 90.4 (Rosetta, 2nd c.BC))]; so in LXX of the love of God for man and of man for God, [LXX+NT (LXX.Isa.41.8, LXX.Deu.11.1, +others, cf. NT.John.3.21, NT.Rom.8.28:—as distinct from φιλέω (which see))] implying regard rather than affection, but the two are interchanged,[Refs 5th c.BC+ (compare 5th-6th c.BC: Xenophon Historicus “Memorabilia” 2.7.9 and 12)]; φιλεῖσθαι defined as ἀγαπᾶσθαι αὐτὸν δι᾽ αὑτόν[Refs 4th c.BC+ (4th c.BC: Aristoteles Philosophus “Rhetorica” 1371a21:—seldom of sexual love, for ἐράω, 4th c.BC: Aristoteles Philosophus “Fragmenta” 76, 2nd c.AD: Lucianus Sophista “JTr.” 2; ἀ. ἑταίραν 4th c.BC: Anaxilas Comicus 22.1 (but ἀ. ἑταίρας)] to be fond of them, [Refs 5th c.BC+ (5th-6th c.BC: Xenophon Historicus “Memorabilia” 1.5.4)]; ἐρωτικὴν μέμψιν ἡ ἀγαπωμένη λύει uncertain in [NT+3rd c.AD+ (3rd c.AD: Democritus Epigrammaticus 271):—of brotherly love, NT.Matt.5.43, +others)]
I.2 persuade, entreat, [LXX (LXX.2Ch.18.2.)]
I.3 caress, pet, [Refs 1st c.AD+ (1st-2nd c.AD: Plutarchus Biographus et Philosophus “Pericles” 1.)]
II of things, to be fond of, prize, desire, [NT+5th c.BC+ (5th-6th c.BC: Plato Philosophus “Lysis” 215a, 215b, etc.; τὰ χρήματα “R.” 330c; μᾶλλον τὸ σκότος ἢ τὸ φῶς NT.John.3.19)]; prefer, τὰ Φιλίππου δῶρα ἀντὶ τῶν κοινῇ τοῖς Ἕλλησι συμφερόντων[Refs 4th c.BC+ (4th c.BC: Demosthenes Orator 18.109)]:—passive, λιθίδια τὰ ἀγαπώμενα highly prized, precious stones, [Refs 5th c.BC+ (5th-6th c.BC: Plato Philosophus “Phaedo” 110d.)]
III to be well pleased, contented, once in [Refs 8th c.BC+ (8th c.BC: Homerus Epicus, οὐκ ἀγαπᾷς ὃ ἕκηλος.. μεθ᾽ ἡμῖν δαίνυσα; 8th c.BC: Odyssea Homerus Epicus “Odyssey” 21.289)]; frequently in Attic dialect, ἀγαπᾶν ὅτι.. [Refs 5th c.BC+ (5th c.BC: Thucydides Historicus 6.36)]; more commonly, ἀ. εἰ.. to be well content if.., [Refs 5th c.BC+ (5th c.BC: Lysias Orator 12.11, 5th-6th c.BC: Plato Philosophus “Respublica” 450a, +others)]; ἐὰν[Refs 5th c.BC+ (.. [prev. work] 330b, compare 5th-6th c.BC: Aristophanes Comicus “Vespae” 684, 5th-6th c.BC: Plato Philosophus “Gorgias” 483c, +others)]
III.2 with participle, ἀ. τιμώμενος[Refs 5th c.BC+ (5th-6th c.BC: Plato Philosophus “Respublica” 475b, compare 5th-6th c.BC: Isocrates Orator 12.8, 4th c.BC: Antiphanes Comicus 169)]: with infinitive, οὐκ ἀ. τῶν ἴσων τυγχάνειν τοῖς ἄλλοις[Refs 5th c.BC+ (5th-6th c.BC: Isocrates Orator 18.50, compare 4th c.BC: Demosthenes Orator 55.19, 2nd c.AD: Herodianus Grammaticus 2.15.4, 4th c.AD: Alciphro Epistolographus 3.61, 2nd c.AD: Lucianus Sophista “DMort.” 12.4, etc.)]
III.3 with dative of things, to be contented with, ἀ. τοῖς ὑπάρχουσιν ἀγαθοῖς[Refs 5th c.BC+ (5th c.BC: Lysias Orator 2.21; τοῖς πεπραγμένοις 4th c.BC: Demosthenes Orator 1.14.)]
III.4 with accusative of things, tolerate, put up with, μηκέτι τὴν ἐλευθερίαν ἀ.[Refs 5th c.BC+ (5th-6th c.BC: Isocrates Orator 4.140; τὰ παρόντα 4th c.BC: Demosthenes Orator 6.15; τὸ δίκαιον 5th-6th c.BC: Plato Philosophus “Respublica” 359a (_passive_),compare 4th c.BC: Aristoteles Philosophus “Rhetorica” 1398a23.)]
III.5 rarely with genitive, ἵνα.. τῆς ἀξίας ἀγαπῶσιν may be content with the proper price, [Refs 2nd c.AD+ (2nd c.AD: Alexander Rhetor 125.7.)]
III.6 absolutely, to be content, ἀγαπήσαντες[Refs 4th c.BC+ (4th c.BC: Lycurgus Orator 73, compare 2nd c.AD: Lucianus Sophista “Nec.” 17.)]
III.7 with infinitive, to be fond of doing, wont to do, like{φιλέω}, τοὺς Λυκίους ἀγαπῶντας τὸ τρίχωμα φορεῖν [LXX+4th c.BC+ (4th c.BC: Aristoteles Philosophus “Oeconomica” 1348a29, cf. LXX.Hos.12.7.)]