“OMG! I love that restaurant!”
“Susie is so funny! I love her!”
“What would I do without my husband? I love him so much!”
“My kids are such a blessing! I love them to pieces!”
Do you ever feel like the word “love” is over used? How can I say I love Inn N Out Burger (YUM!), but I also love my husband? Or I love my children, but I also love my friends? Aren’t those all different kinds of love, yet we use the same word for all of them. I think the Greeks had it right. They had 4 words for love. Did you know that? Each one described a different type of love. Generally speaking, they are thus:
1. Agápe (ἀγάπη agápē[1]) means "love" (unconditional love) in modern day Greek, such as in the term s'agapo (Σ'αγαπώ), which means "I love you". In Ancient Greek, it often refers to a general affection or deeper sense of "true love" rather than the attraction suggested by "eros". Agape is used in the biblical passage known as the "love chapter", 1 Corinthians 13, and is described there and throughout the New Testament as sacrificial love. Agape is also used in ancient texts to denote feelings for a good meal, one's children, and the feelings for a spouse. It can also be described as the feeling of being content or holding one in high regard. Agape was appropriated by Christians for use to express the unconditional love of God. Before agape love there was no other word to express such great love.
2. Éros (ἔρως érōs[2]) is passionate love, with sensual desire and longing. The Modern Greek word "erotas" means "intimate love;" however, eros does not have to be sexual in nature. Eros can be interpreted as a love for someone whom you love more than the philia, love of friendship. It can also apply to dating relationships as well as marriage. Plato refined his own definition: Although eros is initially felt for a person, with contemplation it becomes an appreciation of the beauty within that person, or even becomes appreciation of beauty itself. Plato does not talk of physical attraction as a necessary part of love, hence the use of the word platonic to mean, "without physical attraction."
3. Philia (φιλία philía[3]) means friendship or affectionate love in modern Greek. It is a dispassionate virtuous love, a concept developed by Aristotle. It includes loyalty to friends, family, and community, and requires virtue, equality and familiarity. In ancient texts, philos denoted a general type of love, used for love between family, between friends, a desire or enjoyment of an activity, as well as between lovers.
4. Storge (στοργή storgē[4]) means "affection" in ancient and modern Greek. It is natural affection, like that felt by parents for offspring. Rarely used in ancient works, and then almost exclusively as a descriptor of relationships within the family. It is also known to express mere acceptance or putting up with situations, as in "loving" the tyrant.
Reading the 4 different types of love may give you a different perspective of the types of love you have for different people/things. I challenge you to look at how you SHOULD love people and how you ACTUALLY love people. Keep in mind you may love a person in more than one way. For example, I love my husband in the philia way, the eros way, the storge way, and I strive to love him in the agape way. But if I only loved him in the philia way, then I have a problem! I challenge you to look at the 4 types of love and how they apply to your life!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment