ἀγαπάω

agapáō

G25 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To value, cherish, or have deep regard for; to demonstrate loyal concern or commitment to another's wellbeing. In general usage, ἀγαπάω indicates a deliberate, active kind of love, often characterized by goodwill, preference, or esteem, rather than affection or emotion alone. In some contexts, especially in Hellenistic and Koine Greek literature, it denotes a love marked by choice or action as opposed to spontaneous feeling. The word can refer to love within relationships (familial, friendly, marital), to respect for the divine, or to concern for others more broadly.

Semantic Range

to regard with respect or goodwill, to esteem, to show preference or commitment, to love in the sense of choice or action, to practice loyal devotion, to be fond of, to welcome or treat kindly

Root / Etymology

From root ἀγαπ-, related to ἀγάπη (love, goodwill). The etymology before Koine is uncertain; suggestions of connection to Hebrew עגב (to desire) are speculative and not widely accepted. No clear connection to earlier major Greek roots for 'love' (e.g., φιλ- or ἐρα-).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἀγαπάω was less common and usually meant 'to treat with affection' or 'to welcome, prefer'. Its prominence and specialized use expanded in Hellenistic and especially Jewish-Greek (Septuagint) and early Christian contexts, where it became the principal term for deliberate, volitional love—a love rooted in commitment and ethical action rather than mere feeling or personal attachment. This distinguishes it from forms like φιλέω (philéō, affectionate love, friendship) and ἐράω (eráō, passionate or erotic love). In the Septuagint, ἀγαπάω often translates Hebrew אָהַב (to love, delight in), signifying love among humans and towards God. In the New Testament, it frequently describes love characterized by loyalty, self-sacrifice, or divine initiative. Historic English versions sometimes translate both ἀγαπάω and φιλέω as 'love,' but the words have distinct nuances in Koine Greek, especially within literary and religious texts.

Translation Consistency

primary "love" 128 occurrences

Most natural and common English equivalent for ἀγαπάω, capturing deliberate, active, and relational sense of esteem, commitment, and goodwill. It appears most frequently in usage and can naturally render commands, descriptions, and doctrinal statements (e.g., love God, love one another) across forms. More specific alternatives like 'cherish' or 'value' are useful in certain contexts but are less general than 'love' for consistent rendering.

Alternatives (15 occurrences):
"showed loyal concern" (4x) "cherishing" (3x) "show loyal concern" (2x) "(plural) should value" (1x) "beloved" (1x) "cherished" (1x) "cherish" (1x) "ones having been cherished" (1x) "valuing" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

perhaps from (much) (or compare עֲגַב); to love (in a social or moral sense):--(be-)love(-ed). Compare φιλέω.

Root Family

ἀγαπάω (agapaō) — to value, to cherish, to show loyal concern

Root ἀγαπ- to value, to cherish, to show loyal concern

Word Forms

34 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G25-04 ἀγαπᾶτε agapate V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL love Keep valuing Keep loving 15
G25-17 ἀγαπῶν agapon V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG loves valuing loving 14
G25-34 ἠγάπησεν egapesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG loved he showed loyal concern he loved 12
G25-01 ἀγαπᾷ agapa V PRS ACT IND 3P SG loves he/she values he/she loves 12
G25-10 ἀγαπήσεις agapeseis V FUT ACT IND 2P SG you shall love you will cherish you will love 10
G25-16 ἀγαπῶμεν agapomen V PRS ACT SUBJ 1P PL we love let us cherish let us love 10
G25-02 ἀγαπᾶν agapan V PRS ACT INF to love to cherish with loyal concern to love with loyal concern 8
G25-14 ἀγαπῶ agapo V PRS ACT IND 1P SG I love I value with loyal concern I love with loyal concern 5
G25-33 ἠγάπησας egapesas V AOR ACT IND 2P SG have loved you cherished you loved 5
G25-31 ἠγάπησα egapesa V AOR ACT IND 1P SG I have loved I valued I loved 5

Occurrences in Scripture

143 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G25-10 Matthew 5:43 ἀγαπήσεις agapeseis V FUT ACT IND 2P SG You shall love you will cherish you will love
G25-04 Matthew 5:44 ἀγαπᾶτε agapate V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL love Keep valuing Keep loving
G25-11 Matthew 5:46 ἀγαπήσητε agapesete V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P PL you love you (plural) should value you (plural) should value
G25-18 Matthew 5:46 ἀγαπῶντας agapontas V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M PL who love those valuing those loving
G25-09 Matthew 6:24 ἀγαπήσει agapesei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG love will cherish he will love
G25-10 Matthew 19:19 ἀγαπήσεις agapeseis V FUT ACT IND 2P SG you shall love you will cherish you will love
G25-10 Matthew 22:37 ἀγαπήσεις agapeseis V FUT ACT IND 2P SG you shall love you will cherish you will love
G25-10 Matthew 22:39 ἀγαπήσεις agapeseis V FUT ACT IND 2P SG you shall love you will cherish you will love
G25-34 Mark 10:21 ἠγάπησεν egapesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG loved he showed loyal concern he loved
G25-10 Mark 12:30 ἀγαπήσεις agapeseis V FUT ACT IND 2P SG you shall love you will cherish you will love