Bible Lexicons

Berry's Synonyms of the New TestamentBerry's NT Synonyms

To Love

ἀγαπάω, φιλέω.

ἀγαπάω, and not φιλέω, is the word used of God's love to men, φιλανθρωπία is, however, once used with this meaning, Titus 3:4. ἀγαπάω is also the word ordinarily used of men's love to God, but φιλέω is once so used, 1 Corinthians 16:22. ἀγαπάω is the word used of love to one's enemies. The interchange of the words in John 21:15-17 is very interesting and instructive.