Meaning of Agape (What is it, Concept and Definition)

What is Agape:

The word agape is used, in principle, to name the type of food that is carried out in a fraternal and religious way , which was done , especially, among the first groups of Christians, in order to strengthen ties and bonds between its members .

From there, that today agape be understood as those banquets that are organized to celebrate some event of a social or private, public or private type, in order to strengthen even more the feelings of friendship.

The word agape derives from the Greek agapē and, later, from Latin agăpe , which means love or affection.

Among the first groups of Christians, the word agape, was used to refer to to the community meal that was carried out in order to unite people more and integrate them into a friendly space in which social or other differences were not taken into account le.

Consequently, some of the synonyms that can be used to refer to agape, in terms of celebration with food, are feast, treat, food, snack, banquet or entertainment.

In addition, it was customary to use the word agape, by these Christian groups, to make mention of the unconditional and divine love that God feels for the human being and that each individual should feel and profess towards the other people around him.

Agape is also a very recognized word for referring to unconditional love, to that love that a person feels for another and for which he is able to give everything with the purpose that that loved one is well and nothing is missing.

So, it is valid to interpret a great love for agape, especially between couples and parents and children.

A type of agape is also called agape moth .

See also The 4 types of love according to the Greeks.

Agape and eros

The Greek philosopher Platon, as well as other philosophers, they used the term agape precisely to refer to absolute love , but differentiated from eros, which is that passionate or sensual love or feeling towards another person.

Agape se refers to the love that a person gives to another selflessly and sometimes sacrificed; whereby everything is delivered to support and make the other happy through good care and love, which are expected to be paid in the same way, even if it does not always happen.

Instead, Eros is recognized as the Greek god of love.That is to say, that love that is expressed through passion, physical attraction and ecstasy that is experienced at the moment when a new emotional relationship or crush begins.

The love of Eros is conditioned and not lasting.Hence, both terms are differentiated with respect to what is meant by love with the words agape and eros.

See also the meaning of Unconditional Love and Love.