That difference may not be as crisp as curent "pop" church teach makes it out to be.
Generally, we are taught the Agape is an unconditional, God like love. Where as Phileo is a man like kind of love. People tend to equate Gods love for man as agape and mans love for man (do not confuse this with homosexuality) as phileo.
I suppose maybe a short discussion as to the differences is in order?
John 5:20 (NIV)
[b said:
Quote[/b] ]For the Father loves [phileo] the Son and shows him all he does...
John 16:27 (NIV)
[b said:
Quote[/b] ]No, the Father himself loves [phileo] you because you have loved [phileo] me...
Rev 3:19 (NIV)
[b said:
Quote[/b] ]Those whom I love [phileo] I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.
Titus 3:4 (NIV)
[b said:
Quote[/b] ]... the kindness and love [philanthropia] of God our Savior...
These are a few uses of phileo, (mans love, mans kind of love) that would better fit the pop culture teaching of agape (Gods love, Gods kind of Love, unconditional).
John 3:19 (NIV)
[b said:
Quote[/b] ]but men loved [agapeo] darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
2 Pet 2:15 (NIV)
[b said:
Quote[/b] ]who loved [agapeo] the wages of wickedness.
2 Tim 4:10 (NIV)
[b said:
Quote[/b] ]... Demas, because he loved [agapeo] this world, has deserted me...
And here are some uses of Agape love that would better fit pop church culture teaching of phileo.
Perhaps the distinction is better as:
Agape: Abstract, spiritual, willful love.
Phileo: Heartfelt, sponteneous, affectionate.
Eros: Would be erotic \ sexual love
People have split affectionate love under Storgos alas, I think it is still Phileo.
Anyway, what are your thoughts on the differences?
