An interesting note about this that I caught today. None of those verses use phileo; not one of them. They all use agapao. It definitely puts those verses, for me, in a whole new light. We are to love one another EVEN IF those around us don't reciprocate, EVEN IF they spit in our faces, EVEN IF they are backbiting you and smiling in your face, etc.
I wouldn't be able to do that on my own. I would very much need His influence.
Here's what Ray said about agapao v. phileo in his Bible Study "Love." (
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,3719.0.html)
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So now I can see some better distinctions. It,
agape -
is a complex emotion, arousing appreciation or delight in and desire for the presence of it’s object; as well as to please and promote it’s welfare.
Now here is the word
phileo. We understand the word Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia -
it means to be fond of, responsive, affection based on approval and regard.
That’s a little complicated, basically it’s this. God of love -agape, is a one-way street, God loves, He gives. It’s not based on whether the ones He gives it to, loves Him back. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, right. Why? Because He loves us, “for God so loved the world.” That includes all these drug dealing, wife beating, God defying people. He so loved the world, did they love Him back? No, very few people love God back. It’s a one-way street... He loves. He’s the One that loves, not getting anything back for it, He loves.
But phileo love, is where two people are fond of each other and they’re responsive to each other. It has to do with affections, based on the approval of the one you’re giving out to, you see. Why are people friends? Because they reciprocate, right.
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