What Is Agape Love and How to Express It

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The word love is complex, broad, yet beautiful.

All of us experience love. It’s that deep feeling of care that you have for your family, friends, pets, and your partner.

We feel different types of all, yet all of them are important to us.

Have you heard of the term agape love? It’s a term that some people used to describe the highest form of love that anyone could feel.

Now, the question is which one of these types of love is agape love?

What is agape love?

The first thing that we should know is what is agape love.

Agape love is one of the concepts of love from ancient Greek philosophy. It’s also the highest form of love.

It’s a type of love that is thought of as all-encompassing and unselfish.

This type of love is characterized by giving what you can without expecting anything. You love, care, and sacrifice regardless of what the other person shows.

It’s when you think ardently about the other person’s well-being and happiness. Love in the bible agape means selfless, unconditional, and sacrificial love.

We consider it the highest form of love because this is the type of love that our God has given us. The love He had shown us when he gave us his son and when his son, Jesus Christ, sacrificed himself for all of us.

Bible verses about agape love

Since we now know the agape meaning in the Bible, it’s time to reflect on the holy book about agape love.

Here are some beautiful verses about agape love in the bible.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, ESV)

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35, ESV)

“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.” (1 John 3:16, ESV)

“I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” (John 17:23, ESV)

These are just examples of agape love that we can find in the bible.

Is agape, unconditional love?

Agape type of love is indeed unconditional. In fact, this might be the perfect word to describe the highest form of love.

It is freely given without the need to ask for something in return. It is a love that is selfless and will not depend on any type of condition.

According to Christian theology, God’s love for humankind is agape love, which is not reliant on any of our actions or abilities.

Related Reading: 5 Signs of Unconditional Love and How to Find It

How do you express agape love?

With agape as a sacred Christian concept in mind, we might want to ask, ‘’How do we express such a divine love?’’

Indeed, the thought of being able to put others’ needs and well-being before our own may seem impossible, but it’s not.

Here are some ways where we can express agape love:

1. Be able to serve others without expecting anything in return

You can volunteer at a rescue shelter or offer to help a homeless person.

2. Choose forgiveness

One of the most challenging but good examples of agape love is forgiveness. Don’t just do it for the other person, do it for yourself too. Let go of the hate, bitterness, and the urge for vengeance.

Related Reading: 10 Benefits of Forgiveness in Romantic Relationships

3. Offer to listen

Agape love can be shown through small acts of kindness such as listening. When you have a loved one that needs someone to talk to, be there.

4. Be willing to sacrifice

Agape love may require sacrifice. It could be your time, your hobby, money, or even your work. You choose to sacrifice for the person you love, for example, your kids.

5. Patience

Yes, even patience is a form of expressing agape love. It means you are able to extend your patience, grace, and understanding.

Expressing agape love can be shown in many ways. It usually involves selfless acts of putting others’ needs and well-being first and doing it from your heart.

Related Reading: 15 Ways to Have More Patience in a Relationship

Additional questions

The power of Agape love is a concept that has been explored and celebrated by many cultures and spiritual traditions. This selfless, unconditional love is characterized by its ability to transform lives, heal relationships, and bring people together. 

In this section, we will explore the concept of Agape love a bit more, as well as its practical applications in our everyday lives.

• What is the power of agape love?

Many people will ask, what the power is if one realizes agape love. Indeed, there can be many changes, and here are just some of them:

1. Heals relationships

If you have been in a toxic or problematic relationship, then agape love could help heal you and your relationship. Even in couples counseling, aspects of agape love are discussed and recommended.

2. Inspires other people

People who see agape love realize how powerful it is. In turn, they get inspired and this selfless love is passed on.

3. Helps break down barriers

Agape love is patient, kind, and sacrifices. If one demonstrates this type of love, it could be strong enough to break even the toughest barriers.

4. Removes doubt

Agape love removes doubts, insecurities, and jealousy. It replaces these negative emotions with trust, patience, and confidence.

5. Transforms people

When we experience what agape love is, our lives change. When we hear about God has given us this love, our faith in him renews, and so would our lives.

Watch noted American actor Billy Burke talk about practicing selflessness in this video:

• What is the highest form of love agape?

Agape love is the highest form of love.

In many Christian teachings, agape love is God himself. It is the agape love of God that has created us, guided us, and saved us.

As said, quoted, and believed, his love for us has surpassed every type of love recognizable, and indeed, it’s the purest and the most beautiful type of love.

Experience the purest form of love!

Agape is the purest type of love, since it is not self-serving and doesn’t involve personal benefit or satisfaction. It surpasses the norms of loving someone, and what better way to describe agape love than to seek it with the Lord?

Indeed, his example is the perfect form of agape love, and once we understand how noble this love is, it will change how we love, care, and live our lives.