What's the Definition of Love? Exploring its True Meaning

Love. It’s a word we use so often, in so many contexts. We say we love pizza, we love our friends, and we love our partners. But when we really stop to think about it, what’s the definition of love? It can feel like trying to catch smoke – elusive and hard to grasp. Love can encompass everything from deep affection and sexual attraction to familial bonds, loyalty, and even spiritual devotion. To truly understand the definition of love, we need to look deeper, beyond our everyday usage.

In English, the word “love” is stretched thin, covering a wide spectrum of feelings and actions. We use the same word for our fondness for a favorite song and the profound connection we feel for a family member. However, the ancient languages of the Bible, Hebrew and Greek, offer a more nuanced understanding of love. They use different words to describe the various facets of this powerful emotion, helping us to dissect what’s the definition of love more accurately. These languages distinguish between sexual love, brotherly love, familial love, and the divine love of God.

Decoding the Different Types of Love

To truly grasp what’s the definition of love, it’s helpful to explore these distinctions found in the biblical texts:

Eros: The Spark of Passion

In the original Hebrew and Greek, words existed to specifically describe sexual love. The Hebrew word yada, meaning “to know,” is used in contexts like Genesis 38:26 to describe Judah’s intimate relations. Similarly, the Greek word eros (from which we get “erotic”) represents passionate, romantic love. While eros isn’t directly found in the New Testament, its concept is certainly present when discussing marital love and physical intimacy. This aspect of love, while powerful, is just one piece of the larger puzzle when considering what’s the definition of love.

Phileo: The Bond of Friendship

Another vital aspect of love is brotherly affection, or friendship. The Hebrew word ahabah and the Greek word phileo describe this deep connection between friends. Think of the bond between David and Jonathan in 1 Samuel 20:17, a love that transcended typical friendship. Phileo love is about fondness, companionship, and mutual respect. It’s the love that strengthens communities and provides support through life’s journey. Understanding phileo helps us broaden our understanding of what’s the definition of love beyond just romance.

Storge: The Comfort of Family

Familial love, the bond between parents and children, siblings, and extended family, is also a distinct form of love. The Hebrew ahabah and the Greek storge capture this sense of deep affection and natural connection. Storge is about loyalty, protection, and the comfort of belonging. Interestingly, the Greek word storge itself appears less frequently in the New Testament, sometimes even in its negative form, astorgos, meaning “without natural affection,” highlighting the importance of familial love and the tragedy of its absence. Considering storge is crucial when we ask, what’s the definition of love in its most foundational forms.

Agape/Chesed: Unconditional and Steadfast Love

Finally, we arrive at perhaps the most profound understanding of love in the Bible: agape in Greek and chesed in Hebrew. These words describe God’s incredible love for humanity. Chesed is often translated as “steadfast love” or “lovingkindness,” emphasizing loyalty and unwavering commitment. Numbers 14:18 beautifully illustrates this: “The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression.” This chesed love explains why God remains faithful even when his people stray.

Similarly, agape love in the New Testament embodies goodwill, benevolence, and selfless sacrifice. It’s an unconditional commitment to the well-being of the loved one. Agape is the love we are called to have for God (Matthew 22:37) and for each other (Matthew 22:39; John 13:34). It’s a love that acts, serves, and prioritizes others. When seeking what’s the definition of love in its highest form, agape is the key.

Love: A Reflection of the Divine

In its essence, love can be defined as the emotion and actions driven by concern for another’s well-being. It’s a mix of affection, compassion, care, and selflessness. Ultimately, the Bible reveals that love originates in God Himself, within the eternal relationship of the Trinity (1 John 4:7–8). As humans created in God’s image, our capacity to love is a unique reflection of our Creator.

While we might say a pet owner “loves” their dog, and certainly there’s care and affection involved, this isn’t the same as human love. A dog’s loyalty is often based on provision and comfort. Humans, however, are capable of a deeper, more complex love, mirroring the divine love we were created to reflect.

The Definitive Example of Love

So, what’s the definition of love in its most complete sense? The Bible provides a powerful answer:

“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. . . . We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:9–11, 19).

This passage encapsulates the true definition of love. It’s not just a feeling, but a selfless action, a sacrifice motivated by deep care. God’s love for us is the ultimate example, and it’s the foundation for how we are called to love others. Understanding what’s the definition of love is not just an intellectual exercise, but a call to action, to reflect God’s love in our own lives and relationships.