Love

Many see the Word of God. . . very few comprehend!

​Romans 12:10 (NIV)
10 Be devoted to one another in love.x Honor one another above yourselves.y

•   The New International Version. (2011). (Ro 12:10). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

How are we to love one another? Take a close look at the Greek Word for Love in this particular verse.

Philia
Definition:  To love, have affection for or to have a friendship
Characteristics:

1. It is more than mere companionship and comradeship.
2. It is the least natural of all the loves. We can live without friendship.
3. Friends live side by side while absorbed in a common interest.
4. It magnifies an activity or attitude already present in the people's lives.
5. It is the most spiritual love but it is also susceptible to the greatest spiritual corruption.
6. It is the least jealous of all loves.

Dangers:

1. It can become a sect, gang or mutual admiration society.
2. It can magnify the worst qualities of man.
3. It is considered worthless by some because they don't experience it.

(The previous notes are from C.S. Lewis’ book The Four Loves)


Exegetical Guide | Romans 12:10
Word by Word
The English-Greek Reverse Interlinear New Testament New International Version (2011)
Romans 12:10
 
τῇ φιλαδελφίᾳ εἰς ἀλλήλους φιλόστοργοι, τῇ τιμῇ ἀλλήλους προηγούμενοι,  | NIV2011 NT RI
 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. | NIV
 
φιλαδελφίᾳ philadelphia Be devoted to one another in love Honor one another above yourselves
φιλαδελφία philadelphia brotherly love
  
 
noun, dative, singular, feminine
Sense: brotherly love – the affection naturally befitting the relationship between siblings; especially as the affection of those who are now siblings in God’s family.
ESL
BDAG love of brother/sister
LSJ brotherly love; love of the brethren
φιλόστοργοι philostorgoi Be devoted to one another in love Honor one another above yourselves
φιλόστοργος philostorgos loving dearly; being devoted
  
 adjective, nominative, plural, masculine
Sense: familially loving – loving in a way characteristic of the relationship between husband and wife, mother and child, father and son, etc.
ESL
BDAG loving dearly
LSJ loving tenderly, affectionate; affection
 
Page .  Exported from Logos Bible Software, 3:03 PM June 14, 2016.

Do we dearly love one another in the Church? Do we honor one another above ourselves? Are we devoted to those who fail in life and come alongside them during that failure? Or do you celebrate that failure with a cynical comment?
Those who are Godly should gently and humbly restore such a person.

Find another who needs your philia love.

Cathy and Danny Sartin

Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved.
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