The Highest Love

Ancient Greeks had multiple words for love, each describing a different force. Eros was passionate desire. Philia was deep friendship. Storge was family affection. Agape was a plainer word for love or affection that early Christians transformed into a central term for love given freely, regardless of whether the recipient deserved it or could return it.

Agape is not about the lovability of the other person. It is about the capacity of the one who loves. You do not practice agape because someone earns it. You practice it because you have cultivated the ability to offer love without conditions.