May 26, 2023Liked by Chantal LaFortune, Deacon Mark Mueller
This Scripture passage is so familiar to me that I take for granted, don't really think about it. Your explanation of the different words in Greek has really spoken to me and brought renewed life to the passage!
Really good, and timely! Thanks for providing this article. So is Peter's phelio a lower "form" of Love compared to the one Jesus is asking about (Agape)? Or is it just of a different character? To me a true, deep love from the heart seems HIGHER than a love from the head, but I thought Agape was supposed to be greater than phileo.
That is what I thought as well! But the Greek does not differentiate in terms of the quality. Agapeo is more akin to charity. You love someone even though you don’t know them. It is an act of the Will. So, when you love your enemy, it is something you will. When you love (phileo), you love them because of a relationship. It is from the heart. One is not higher than the other … although, I think agapeo is more difficult. What I found interesting in looking at the Greek is that the word used by Jesus changed from agapeo to phileo. There are also two different Aramaic words as well. So, for the reflection, I thought it worth highlighting.
This Scripture passage is so familiar to me that I take for granted, don't really think about it. Your explanation of the different words in Greek has really spoken to me and brought renewed life to the passage!
Really good, and timely! Thanks for providing this article. So is Peter's phelio a lower "form" of Love compared to the one Jesus is asking about (Agape)? Or is it just of a different character? To me a true, deep love from the heart seems HIGHER than a love from the head, but I thought Agape was supposed to be greater than phileo.
That is what I thought as well! But the Greek does not differentiate in terms of the quality. Agapeo is more akin to charity. You love someone even though you don’t know them. It is an act of the Will. So, when you love your enemy, it is something you will. When you love (phileo), you love them because of a relationship. It is from the heart. One is not higher than the other … although, I think agapeo is more difficult. What I found interesting in looking at the Greek is that the word used by Jesus changed from agapeo to phileo. There are also two different Aramaic words as well. So, for the reflection, I thought it worth highlighting.
Very interesting and very helpful. Thank you, deacon, for sharing all of this and for taking the time to address my question!