Greek word · Strong's G25

ἀγαπάω

agapáō · verb · “to love (agapaō)”

In a sentence

Agapaō is the verb behind agapē — to love with a deliberate, self-giving love that seeks the good of another. It is the love God shows and commands his people to extend.

Agapaō names love as a chosen action more than a felt emotion. It is the verb of John 3:16 — “God so loved (ēgapēsen) the world” — and of Jesus’ great command to “love (agapate) your enemies.”

Because it is action, agapaō can be commanded. Jesus does not order us to feel warm toward those who oppose us; he tells us to do the loving thing toward them. Christian love is finally a verb shaped by the cross.

Strong's reference

Definition: to love (in a social or moral sense)

KJV usage: (be-)love(-ed)

Reference gloss from Strong's Concordance (1890, public domain).

Key verses BSB · Public Domain (CC0)

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Matthew 5:44 “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” Romans 13:8 “Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.”

Original BibleDawn word study. Original-language data and the public-domain Strong's (1890) gloss are referenced; see sources.