Should not use Agape love for one another

[Greg Dent]

Fillio love or Family love would be the correct term. Agape is the principled love we have for those not in Jehovah's organization. Filio love or Family love is the love one has for Family members. That is the kind of "Brotherly" love we have for one another. 

 

Thoughts?

[steadfast]

Consider this: read Colossians 3:13,14.

 

13 Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely even if anyone has a cause for complaint against another. Just as Jehovah freely forgave you, you must also do the same. 14 But besides all these things, clothe yourselves with love, for it is a perfect bond of union.

 

I'm no Greek scholar by any means; here's what I came up with. I took a quick look at an online interlinear, and it seems that love in verse 14 is a form of agape. So, in my opinion, a strong case for agape can be made if we are going to have a need to keep putting up with each other's faults and imperfections inside the congregation.

Edited May 13, 2014 by steadfast

[Qapla]

At John 3:35, Jesus said: “The Father loves [a·ga·pai′] the Son.” At John 5:20, he said: “The Father has affection for [phi·lei′] the Son.” Certainly God’s love for Jesus Christ is coupled with much affection. Also Jesus explained: “He that loves [a·ga·pon′] me will be loved [a·ga·pe·the′se·tai] by my Father, and I will love [a·ga·pe′so] him.” (Joh 14:21) This love of the Father and of the Son is accompanied by tender affection for such loving persons. Jehovah’s worshipers must love him and his Son, as well as one another, in the same way.—Joh 21:15-17.

 

This would indicate that Agape and Phileo should both be shown towards our Brothers (and Sisters)

 

It is to be noted that there is a distinction between the Greek verbs phi·le′o and a·ga·pa′o, although many translators do not differentiate between these words. Regarding the difference between these words, F. Zorell (Lexicon Graecum Novi Testamenti, Paris, 1961, col. 1402) says: “[A·ga·pa′o] signifies a kind of love for someone or something occasioned freely and of our own accord because of clearly perceived reasons; [phi·le′o] differs from this in that it indicates a tender and affectionate kind of love such as arises spontaneously in our souls towards relatives or friends, and towards things we deem delightful.”

So, while we rightly can have love be spontaneous towards or friends and family (phileo) , we can also have love for the entire association (agape) based on the clearly perceived reason that they love Jehovah, even if we have never met them before.

 

Though we can show principled love towards those who are not Jehovah's people, it is not wrong to also show this kind of love for those who are.

 

Depending on the circumstances, we can show both. So, while it can be proper to use the term phileo in showing love towards one another (inside the organization) it is not wrong to also show agape love for them also.

Edited May 13, 2014 by Qapla

[steadfast]

Yes, I was under the impression that "phileo" might be best used with our closest friends in the congregation, and "agape" with brothers and sisters in the organization who we might not be as close with, but who we also love.

Edited May 13, 2014 by steadfast

[palmhat]

Yes, I was under the impression that "phileo" might be best used with our closest friends in the congregation, and "agape" with brothers and sisters in the organization who we might not be as close with, but who we also love.

I really struggle with this. You see, I get so confused. When I meet one of the friends for the first time, I know that that smile is genuine & that they have my back as do I theirs. We are automatically bonded with the kind of bond I would love to have with my fleshly brother. But my fleshly brother, Rudy, does not honor Jehovah. So In my confusion my new Christian brother gets both....I think.

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[Greg Dent]

Ok thank you guys. I didn't think of it in the ways you have brought it out. Thank you for sharpening my face. 

[steadfast]

I really struggle with this. You see, I get so confused. When I meet one of the friends for the first time, I know that that smile is genuine & that they have my back as do I theirs. We are automatically bonded with the kind of bond I would love to have with my fleshly brother. But my fleshly brother, Rudy, does not honor Jehovah. So In my confusion my new Christian brother gets both....I think.

 

I think you can look at it that way. Now think about brothers in your local congregation who you have never talked with, never been introduced to for whatever reason. Can you say you feel a very strong bond with them almost like a best friend or close relative? No, but you can feel a real, principled love for them: agape.

 

Notice this from Insight, Volume 2 under the subject Love:

 

A·ga′pe, therefore, carries the meaning of love guided, or governed, by principle. It may or may not include affection and fondness. That a·ga′pe may include affection and warmth is evident in many passages.

 

So agape can be a warm feeling. There is only a slight difference in the two words. Yes, it can be a bit confusing at times.

[Lance]

I always think of agape as.

"I love you despite the fact that you are a _______________ ( fill in the blanks)" hence the aspect of a principled form of love.

[UpstateKate]

I always think of agape as.

"I love you despite the fact that you are a _______________ ( fill in the blanks)" hence the aspect of a principled form of love.

Our CO said the same thing at our last visit. He prefers "Phileo" when signing cards and such.

[trottigy]

Wow! I just go with "love ya" as most I speak with are English. I have very few Greek speaking friends. My Yaya (grandma on dad's side) was Greek, but she has since passed away.

Love ya

[palmhat]

I like to end with "Jude 2"

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[Brenda]

I just love this forum...I'm always grabbing my Bible.

 

 

Agape'

Phileo

Love ya

[MizPeg]

Fillio love or Family love would be the correct term. Agape is the principled love we have for those not in Jehovah's organization. Filio love or Family love is the love one has for Family members. That is the kind of "Brotherly" love we have for one another. 

 

Thoughts?

I get a giggle out of these "splitting hairs" questions. but if you do wonder, this is the place to glean information, that will help.