Love and Affection

30 Custom

Primary expressions for the word love in the New Testament are two nouns ἀγαπη and φιλία, including their cognates.  These words are present in various contexts, creating a vibrant semantic range. In the bible, there exist another two words for love ἔρως and στοργή that are however present in Septuagint and therefore cannot be found in the New Testament.

We can further find numerous amount of words and phrases that are related to love expressing in its regard affections. You will find their list in the vocabulary.

Vocabulary

Word Meaning
ἀγαπάω to love
ἀγάπη, ης, ἡ love
ἀγαπητός, ή, όν beloved, prized
φιλέω love
ἔρως love, desire
στοργή love, affection
φιλαδελφία, ας, ἡ love of brother/sister
φιλάδελφος, ον having brotherly love
φιλανθρωπία, ας, ἡ kindness (loving)
φίλανδρος, ον loving one's husband
φιλότεκνος, ον loving one’s children
φίλαυτος, ον loving oneself
φιλόθεος, ον devout
φιλόστοργος, ον loving dearly
ἄστοργος, ον hardhearted
ζηλόω be zealous; be jealous
ζῆλος, ου, ὁ jealousy; zeal
ἐπιποθέω long for
ὁμείρομαι long for
ἐπιπόθητος, ον longed for, desired
σπλαγχνίζομαι have pity
σπλάγχνον, ου, τό inward parts, entrails
εὔσπλαγχνος, ον compassionate
πολύσπλαγχνος, ον sympathetic, merciful
πλατύνω τὴν καρδίαν to broaden the heart (an idiom to manifest affection for someone)
στενοχωρέομαι ἐν τοῖς σπλάγχνοις to be restricted in the bowels
κλείω τὰ σπλάγχνα to close the bowels
ἐμβριμάομαι scold; be moved
συμπαθέω sympathize with
συμπαθής, ές sympathetic