Read:  1 Corinthians 13:1-13

One human emotion that is prevalent in the personality is love.  Although we think we know what love is, we often “miss the boat.”  Characteristically, love is shown and/or manifested in many ways.  Too many are desperate for love – whether one wants to admit it, perceive it or understand it.  An infant has this unexplainable emotion that wants to receive love even though physically the infant cannot talk about it, ask for it, express or know what this emotion is.

As a child grows, this emotion becomes more prevalent, desirable, and compelling.  Questions arise –

• What is done with this emotion?
• How is the emotion received?
• What does this emotion look like?
• How is this emotion expressed?

Love is an emotion that requires fulfillment at various levels depending on various situations.  As a person grows or becomes older, the individual discerns that she/he possesses some degree of this emotion and whether or not to give or share this emotion.  Some do not know how to express it; yet seek it.

What is love?  The dictionary[1] provides several meanings such as the following:

• Strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties (e.g., mother-child; husband-wife)
• Affection based on admiration (e.g., for an old schoolmate
• Affection based on benevolence or common interest (e.g., a charity)
• An assurance (e.g., give “l” my love)
• Warm attachment, enthusiasm or devotion (e.g., love of the sea)
• The object of attachment (football and the Chicago Bears was his first love)
• A term of endearment (e.g., my darling; my love)
• An unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another (e.g., concern for humankind)
•  A brotherly or sisterly concern for others
• A person’s adoration for God
• A godly personification of love
•  An amorous episode (e.g., love affair)
• A sexual embrace (e.g., copulation)
• A tennis score of “zero”
• God

These short meanings of love can be placed into grades[2] of emotion such as:

• Erotic love – conceived as sensual love or the human sex drive (libido)
• Platonic love – deep, non-sexual friendship between two heterosexual people of the opposite sexes
• Familial love – a type of affinity or natural affection felt between members of a group bound by common ancestry or blood ties.  The cultural ideal of familial love is one that is committed, unconditional, selfless, emotionally full, and reciprocally returned by the other.
• Puppy love – an informal term for feeling of love between young people, especially during adolescence, so-called for its resemblance to the affection that may be felt towards a puppy dog.  Puppy love is also known as a “crush.”
• Romantic love – a form of love that is often regarded as different from mere needs driven by sexual desire or lust.  Romantic love generally involves a mix of emotional and sexual desire.

Out of the lists of meanings and grades of love, they can be placed into three categories (Greek words):

1. Eros – sensual or sexual love
2. Agape – a) unmerited love of God through his Son, Jesus Christ or b) selfless and self-giving love of humankind.  This word represents divine, unconditional, self-sacrificing, active, volitional, thoughtful love.
3. Philos – friendship – affection that could either denote brotherhood or generally a non-sexual affection.

With some understanding of what are the emotional characteristics of love, the chapter in Book III will move into what is seen and experienced as the dynamics of those characteristics that manifests into the drama of love or desperate love.  It does not matter what the interpersonal context is – whether the home, school, workplace, social outing, church – love (in some form) is the key emotion that is exhibited.  All have experienced all three forms.   As a revelation, you can ask yourself the following:

1. What is your love-life like?
2. Are you caught up in a relationship that is abusive (emotionally, physically, psychologically, and spiritually)?