Agape
In Christianity, agape (; ) is unconditional love, "the highest form of love, charity" and "the love of God for man and of man for God". This is in contrast to philia, brotherly love, or philautia, self-love, as it embraces a universal, unconditional love that transcends and persists regardless of circumstance. According to 1 Timothy it comes "out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned". It goes beyond just the emotions to the extent of seeking the best for others. The verb form goes as far back as Homer, translated literally as affection, as  in "greet with affection" and "show affection for the dead". Other ancient authors have used forms of the word to denote love of a spouse or family, or affection for a particular activity, in contrast to eros (an affection of a sexual nature). In the New Testament, it refers to the covenant love of God for humans, as well as the human reciprocal love for God; the term necessarily extends to the love of one's fellow human beings. Some contemporary writers have sought to extend the use of "agape" into non-religious contexts. The concept of "agape" has been  widely examined within its Christian context. It has also been considered in the contexts of other religions, religious ethics, and science. Early uses. There are few instances of the word "agape" in polytheistic Greek literature. "Bauer's Lexicon" mentions a sepulchral inscription, most likely to honor a polytheistic army officer held in "high esteem" by his country. Christianity. The word "agape" received a broader usage under later Christian writers as the word that specifically denoted Christian love or charity (), or even God himself. The expression "God is love" (ὁ θεὸς ἀγάπη ἐστίν) occurs twice in the New Testament: 1 John  . "Agape" was also used by the early Christians to refer to the self-sacrificing love of God for humanity, which they were committed to reciprocating and practicing towards God and among one another (see "kenosis"). This understanding is built upon the foundational Hebrew concept of Chesed, or the lovingkindness of God, which is taught throughout the Old Testament. "Agape" has been expounded on by many Christian writers in a specifically Christian context. C. S. Lewis uses "agape" in "The Four Loves" to describe what he believes is the highest level of love known to humanity: a selfless love that is  passionately committed to the well-being of others. The Christian use of the term comes directly from the canonical Gospels' accounts of the teachings of Jesus. When asked what was the great commandment, "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second "is" like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." () In Judaism, the first "love the thy God" is part  of the Shema (), while the second "love thy neighbour as thyself" is a commandment from . In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said: Tertullian remarks in his 2nd century defense of Christians that Christian love attracted pagan notice: "What marks us in the eyes of our enemies is our loving kindness. 'Only look,' they say, 'look how they love one another' " ("Apology" 39). Anglican theologian O. C. Quick writes that this "agape" within human experience is "a very partial and rudimentary realization," and that "in its pure form it is essentially divine." In the New Testament, the word "agape" is  often used to describe God's love. However, other forms of the word are used in a negative context, such as the various forms of the verb "agapaō". Examples include: Karl Barth distinguishes "agape" from "eros" on the basis of its origin and unconditional character. In "agape", humanity does not merely express its nature, but transcends it. "Agape" identifies with the interests of the neighbor "in utter independence of the question of his attractiveness" and with no expectation of reciprocity. Meal. The word "agape" is used in its plural form ("agapai") in the New Testament to describe a meal or  feast eaten by early Christians, as in Jude and 2nd Peter . The agape love feast is still observed by many Christian denominations today, especially among Brethren and other Plain, Anabaptist churches. For example, among the Old Order River Brethren and Old Brethren, a weekend is still set aside twice a year for special meetings, self examination and a communal Love Feast as part of their three-part Communion observance. As law. According to 1 Timothy, "agape" that "comes out of a pure heart, and of good conscience and of faith unfeigned" is the "end of the commandment" (). The contrast with  the law () is only that "law is good, if a man use it lawfully". Only, the biblical author cautions: "Some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling. Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm". This is because "the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient". Romans 13 teaches then that "love is the fulfillment of the law" referencing the "armor of light" (see Armor of God), which becomes the foundation for the "Miles Christianus": "let us therefore cast off the works of darkness , and let us put on the armor of light".