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
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.
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
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 |