Agapē ἀγάπη

Agapē (Greek ἀγάπη, Strong's G26) is a Greek feminine noun meaning “love”. It occurs 116 times in 106 verses of the New Testament.

Definition

From the STEPBible Brief Lexicon of Greek (based on Abbott-Smith), STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0.

Translated as

Topics

• Love
• Love of God

Verses

Every verse with Agapē, with the English words that translate it highlighted (KJV or BSB; other translations show the KJV here).

Matthew

• Matthew 24:12
  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.

Luke

• Luke 11:42
  But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.Woe to you Pharisees! You pay tithes of mint, rue, and every herb, but you disregard justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former.

John

• John 5:42
  But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.but I know you, that you do not have the love of God within you.
• John 13:35
  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”
• John 15:9
  As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Remain in My love.
• John 15:10
  If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.
• John 15:13
  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
• John 17:26
  And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.And I have made Your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love You have for Me may be in them, and I in them.”

Romans

• Romans 5:5
  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.
• Romans 5:8
  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
• Romans 8:35
  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
• Romans 8:39
  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
• Romans 12:9
  Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.
• Romans 13:10
  Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
• Romans 14:15
  But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.If your brother is distressed by what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother, for whom Christ died.
• Romans 15:30
  Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;Now I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.

1 Corinthians

• 1 Corinthians 4:21
  What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?Which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and with a gentle spirit?
• 1 Corinthians 8:1
  Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
• 1 Corinthians 13:1
  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal.
• 1 Corinthians 13:2
  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
• 1 Corinthians 13:3
  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing.
• 1 Corinthians 13:4
  Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
• 1 Corinthians 13:8
  Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be restrained; where there is knowledge, it will be dismissed.
• 1 Corinthians 13:13
  And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love.
• 1 Corinthians 14:1
  Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
• 1 Corinthians 16:14
  Let all your things be done with charity.Do everything in love.
• 1 Corinthians 16:24
  My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. The first epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi by Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and Achaicus, and Timotheus.My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.

2 Corinthians

• 2 Corinthians 2:4
  For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.For through many tears I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart, not to grieve you but to let you know how much I love you.
• 2 Corinthians 2:8
  Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him.
• 2 Corinthians 5:14
  For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died.
• 2 Corinthians 6:6
  By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,in purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love;
• 2 Corinthians 8:7
  Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in the love we inspired in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
• 2 Corinthians 8:8
  I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.I am not making a demand, but I am testing the sincerity of your love in comparison to the earnestness of others.
• 2 Corinthians 8:24
  Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.In full view of the churches, then, show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our boasting about you.
• 2 Corinthians 13:11
  Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.Finally, brothers, rejoice! Aim for perfect harmony, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
• 2 Corinthians 13:13
  All the saints salute you.All the saints send you greetings.

Galatians

• Galatians 5:6
  For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. All that matters is faith, expressed through love.
• Galatians 5:13
  For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love.
• Galatians 5:22
  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Ephesians

• Ephesians 1:4
  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love
• Ephesians 1:15
  Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,
• Ephesians 2:4
  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,
• Ephesians 3:17
  That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love,
• Ephesians 3:19
  And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
• Ephesians 4:2
  With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
• Ephesians 4:15
  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head.
• Ephesians 4:16
  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love through the work of each individual part.
• Ephesians 5:2
  And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God.
• Ephesians 6:23
  Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.Peace to the brothers and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians

• Philippians 1:9
  And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
• Philippians 1:16
  The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:The latter do so in love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.
• Philippians 2:1
  If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,Therefore if you have any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,
• Philippians 2:2
  Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose.

Colossians

• Colossians 1:4
  Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,because we have heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all the saints—
• Colossians 1:8
  Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.and who also informed us of your love in the Spirit.
• Colossians 1:13
  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son,
• Colossians 2:2
  That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ,
• Colossians 3:14
  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.

1 Thessalonians

• 1 Thessalonians 1:3
  Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;and continually recalling before our God and Father your work of faith, your labor of love, and your enduring hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
• 1 Thessalonians 3:6
  But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:But just now, Timothy has returned from his visit with the good news about your faith, your love, and the fond memories you have preserved, longing to see us just as we long to see you.
• 1 Thessalonians 3:12
  And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone else, just as our love for you overflows,
• 1 Thessalonians 5:8
  But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of our hope of salvation.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:13
  And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.In love, hold them in highest regard because of their work. Live in peace with one another.

2 Thessalonians

• 2 Thessalonians 1:3
  We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;We are obligated to thank God for you all the time, brothers, as is fitting, because your faith is growing more and more, and your love for one another is increasing.
• 2 Thessalonians 2:10
  And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:5
  And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

1 Timothy

• 1 Timothy 1:5
  Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:The goal of our instruction is the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith.
• 1 Timothy 1:14
  And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.And the grace of our Lord overflowed to me, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
• 1 Timothy 2:15
  Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.Women, however, will be saved through childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.
• 1 Timothy 4:12
  Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
• 1 Timothy 6:11
  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.

2 Timothy

• 2 Timothy 1:7
  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.
• 2 Timothy 1:13
  Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching you have heard from me, with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
• 2 Timothy 2:22
  Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
• 2 Timothy 3:10
  But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,You, however, have observed my teaching, my conduct, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my perseverance,

Titus

• Titus 2:2
  That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.Older men are to be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, and sound in faith, love, and perseverance.

Philemon

• Philemon 1:5
  Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints.
• Philemon 1:7
  For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.I take great joy and encouragement in your love, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.
• Philemon 1:9
  Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.I prefer to appeal on the basis of love. For I, Paul, am now aged, and a prisoner of Christ Jesus as well.

Hebrews

• Hebrews 6:10
  For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.
• Hebrews 10:24
  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds.

1 Peter

• 1 Peter 4:8
  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
• 1 Peter 5:14
  Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

2 Peter

• 2 Peter 1:7
  And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

1 John

• 1 John 2:5
  But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.But if anyone keeps His word, the love of God has been truly perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him:
• 1 John 2:15
  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
• 1 John 3:1
  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.
• 1 John 3:16
  Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
• 1 John 3:17
  But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?
• 1 John 4:7
  Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
• 1 John 4:8
  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
• 1 John 4:9
  In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him.
• 1 John 4:10
  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
• 1 John 4:12
  No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God remains in us, and His love is perfected in us.
• 1 John 4:16
  And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.And we have come to know and believe the love that God has for us. God is love; whoever abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
• 1 John 4:17
  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.In this way, love has been perfected among us, so that we may have confidence on the day of judgment; for in this world we are just like Him.
• 1 John 4:18
  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. The one who fears has not been perfected in love.
• 1 John 5:3
  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome,

2 John

• 2 John 1:3
  Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, will be with us in truth and love.
• 2 John 1:6
  And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the very commandment you have heard from the beginning, that you must walk in love.

3 John

• 3 John 1:6
  Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:They have testified to the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.

Jude

• Jude 1:2
  Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.
• Jude 1:12
  These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;These men are hidden reefs in your love feasts, shamelessly feasting with you but shepherding only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried along by the wind; fruitless trees in autumn, twice dead after being uprooted.
• Jude 1:21
  Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.keep yourselves in the love of God as you await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you eternal life.

Revelation

• Revelation 2:4
  Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.But I have this against you: You have abandoned your first love.
• Revelation 2:19
  I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.I know your deeds—your love, your faith, your service, your perseverance—and your latter deeds are greater than your first.

Notes

1. Definition and verse list from STEPBible's tagged Hebrew Old Testament (TAHOT) and Greek New Testament (TAGNT) and Brief Lexicons, STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0.
2. English renderings from the public-domain KJV with Strong's numbers (eBible.org) and the Berean Standard Bible interlinear (public domain).