Eros or Adape

EROS or AGAPE

 

These are both Greek words that are translated as "love" in our English language, although their meaning is nearly opposite to each other. Eros is only found in Greek philosophical writings and is never used by authors of scripture. It basically pertains to "sensual" things. In our culture it has come to be used to express not only sensual things but also "sexual" things, and thus the word became "erotic" and is used almost entirely to describe things pertaining to lust or sex. In fact when used as love in our day it should be called "lust" and not really love at all. It can be contrasted with the Greek word Agape which is translated as God in (1 John 4:8) "God is love" [Agape], and also in (John 3:16) where we are told "God [Agape] so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life". This gives us the true meaning of Agape which is often referred to as "God's kind of love". In Bob Mumford's teaching series called the Agape Road he explains clearly the difference between these two words. Basically Agape is a love that "gives" with no expectation of it being returned, While Eros is a love that "takes" with a very selfish motive, expecting something in return.

 

Bob studied this subject for many years before arriving at the truth he explains in this teaching. It has tremendous implications when we consider the whole matter of establishing a relationship with our Creator God. Because God is Agape He loves His whole creation including us rebellious human beings who since the original sin of Adam brought this "death line" into our world (Rom 5:12-21), we are all separated from God who is Holy. This was no surprise to God who knew this would happen because He created us with a free will with which to make choices, some good but some bad choices. Definitely Adam's choice to disobey the only restriction God had placed on him to not eat of the fruit of that one tree in the Garden was a wrong choice that has affected us all. God already had a plan to remedy this problem by sending Jesus to earth to become the perfect God/Man who was qualified to "reverse the curse" brought on creation by the first Adam. As we know His death on the cross "paid in full" the debt we all owed because we were all sinners (Rom 3:23), and the wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23). So the offer to receive the free gift of salvation is now available to all who desire it. Just read (Eph 2:1-10) and follow the simple instructions there given by the apostle Paul. God is faithful to keep His Word!!

Sincerely submitted.

Dave Jamer