Explore four different types of love in the Bible and look up Scriptures that speak of divine love, brotherly love, family love and romantic love in the Bible. Discover what love really means, and how you can follow Jesus Christ’s command to “love one another.”

 

Eros Love

Definition: Eros is the physical, sensual love between a husband and wife.

Although this Greek term does not appear in the Bible, eros, or erotic love, is portrayed in the Old Testament book, The Song of Solomon. God is very clear in his Word. Sex outside of marriage is forbidden.

God created humans male and female and instituted marriage in the Garden of Eden. Within marriage, sex is used for emotional and spiritual bonding and for reproduction.

The Apostle Paul noted that it is wise for people to marry to fulfill their godly desire for this type of love:

Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. (1 Korentyen 7:8-9, NIV)

Pronunciation: AIR-ose

Example:

Eros is a necessary part of a healthy marriage.

 

Philia Love

Definition: Philia means close friendship or brotherly love in Greek. It is one of the four types of love in the Bible.

Philia and other forms of this Greek noun are found throughout the New Testament. Christians are frequently exhorted to love their fellow Christians:

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. (Women 12:10 ESV)

Pronunciation: FILL-ee-uh

Example:

Philia describes the benevolent, kindly love practiced by early Quakers.

Storge Love

Definition: Storge is family love, the bond among mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers.

As with eros, this Greek term does not appear in the Bible. However, many examples of family love are found in Scripture, such as the love and mutual protection among Noah and his wife, their sons and daughters-in-law in Jenèz; the love of Jacob for his sons; and the strong love the sisters Martha and Mary in the gospels had for their brother Lazarus.

La family was a vital part of ancient Jewish culture. In the Ten Commandments, God charges his people to:

Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. (Egzòd 20:12, NIV)

Pronunciation: STOR-jay

Example:

Storge is the natural love and affection of a parent for their child.

Agape Love

Definition: Agape is selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love, the highest of the four types of love in the Bible.

This Greek word and variations of it are found throughout the New Testament. Agape perfectly describes the kind of love Jesus Christ has for his Father and for his followers:

Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them. (Jan 14:21, NIV)

Pronunciation: uh-GAH-pay

Example:

Jesus lived out agape by sacrificing himself for the sins of the world.