The English language has but one word to express the diversity of nuance in the word “love.” Context is everything in understanding it’s meaning. “I love ice cream” is different than “I love you.” “I love a beautiful sunrise”; “I love my cat”; “I love music”; “I love my spouse”; “I love sports”; “I love my children”; “I love Jesus,” all carry a different “love” emotion with them according to context. The New Testament was originally written in the common Greek language of the day. The koine (common) Greek language was spoken by most of the people in days of Jesus and the Apostles as a second language after their native language. It was also the language of the Old Testament translation the writers of the New Testament used.
There are several words used in Greek language that translators render as “love,” but two are primarily used in the New Testament. One is phile which carries the meaning of brotherly love where one loves something or someone because that person or thing brings us good emotions or some benefit. The other word is agape, which carries more of a sense of being unconditional. It can be understood by thinking about a verse of Scripture. “God so (agape) loved the world that He gave his One and Only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 Think of it! This is love that is unconditional; that seeks the good of others; that always does what is right. This kind of love has an emotional content but is primarily concerned with seeking a right relationship with God and others and taking appropriate action to find it. I like to call agape love Divine love. When asked what the greatest commandment is, Jesus answered that every expectation for our actions that God has for us in the Ten Commandments can be fulfilled by agape love.
“’Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?’ And He said to him, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:36-40
The Apostle Paul spoke about many virtues of being a follower of Jesus Christ. He wrote about nine “fruit” of the Holy Spirit that should be growing in each believer. Agape love is the first one listed and Paul admonished each believer, “But now faith, hope, (agape) love, these three remain; but the greatest of these is (agape) love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 He also said “(Agape) Love never ends; is never finished” I Corinthians 13:8 Agape love never ends! We will not need faith in heaven for we will have the object of our faith. There will be no need to hope because all our hopes will be realized. But our love for Jesus and His love for us is eternal; unperishable; remaining forever. Divine love remains eternally.