Before we examine AGAPE/AGAPAO ( The LOVE of GOD ) lets take a look at some of the other words that love was translated from in the New Testament.
Philadelphia- love of brethern.
Hebrews 13:1)" Let brotherly continue."
     This type of love is what most people call brotherly love. The love of mankind in general. While there is nothing wrong with having it, and this verse say to let it continue, it is not AGAPE/AGAPAO, the Love of God. We can still have Philadelphia, brotherly love, even if we do not have AGAPE/AGAPAO the Love of God. We can however have both of these two types of love.
Philarguriz- the love of money
I Timothy 6:10)" For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
     This verse is often mis-quoted. Many people quote it as saying that money is the root of all evil. It does not say that money is the root of all evil. It does say that the LOVE of money is the root of all evil. The word love in this verse is translated from the Greek word, Philarguriz. People who have this type of love are a bit scarey to say the least. They can also be dangerous if you do not keep a close eye on them. This type of "love" goes beyond simple greed. These people will run roughshod over anybody to get more money. They simply have no regard for anybody or thing that is unfortunate enough to be in the way.
     Though I have never found any verses to back up my belief, I do not believe it is possible for people who have this type of love to also have AGAPE/AGAPAO, the Love of God. If for no other reason it works contrary to the Love of God. 1) If you love money this much, you place your love of money above the Love of God. 2)" If you will run roughshod over anybody or thing to get more money, you do not love your neighbor as yourself. Therefore, by simple logic, I can not see where someone can truely have the love of money, as well as the Love of God.
Titus 2:4)" That they may teach the young women to be sober, (SOP- soberminded, prudent) to love (PHILANDROS- love of husband) their husbands, to love (PHILETEKNOS- love of children) their children."
     Here we see that young women should be taught to love their husband and children. Most that I have encountered do just that. Again, neither of these two types of love are AGAPE/AGAPAO, the Love of God. Yes, it is very possible to love your husband and children and still have the Love of God. It is also possible to have these two types of love and still NOT have the Love of God.
3 John 9)" I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have preeminence among them, receiveth us not."
     This type of love is translated from the Greek word PHILOPROTEUO- love to be first. We have all seen people like this. No matter what the issue involves, they just have to be first. A strange thing that I have found, is that when trouble hits these people usually are nowhere to be found. If they are they often are useless as far as getting the issue resolved. Usually someone from the shadows or the back of the crowd steps foward and quitely does what needs to be done. Then they quitely fade away again, if the crowd will let them.
     John, through the inspiration of God, wrote this epistle. Through the inspiration of God he also wrote two more epistles, one of the Gospels, and the book of Revelation. He was also one of Jesus twelve disciples and one of the main people in moving God's Word in the book of Acts. ( A history of the first century church.) Yet despite the many accomplishments of John, Diotrephes placed himself above John! For the sake of arguement he did get mentioned in the Bible. However, only in this one place, (that I know of), and not very favorable in this one place. So much for his 15 minutes of fame!
     In the Gospel of John, chapter 11, verses 1-45, we can read the account of Jesus resurrecting Lazarus from the dead. This account is full of interesting information. It is also a very interesting account to say the least! If I were to research this account in full it would be an article, if not a book by itself! By reading this account you will find that Jesus loved Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary and Martha not only with the Love of God but also with PHILEO- the love of a friend, as well.
John 11:3)" Therefore his sisters sent unto Him (Jesus) saying," Lord, behold, he whom Thou lovest is sick."
5)"(Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.)"
     In verse three the word lovest is translated from the Greek word PHILEO- the love of a friend. In verse five the word loved is translated from the Greek word AGAPAO- the love of God. From these two verses we find that it is possible to love with certain other types of love as well as the Love of God. We see here that Jesus did indeed love Lazarus as a friend as well as with the Love of God.
     We find from the following verses that before Jesus could reach him, Lazarus died. Upon Jesus arrival He found that Lazarus had been dead for four days. In fact he had already been entombed. Verse thirtyfive has often been called the shortest verse in the Bible.
35)" Jesus wept."
36)" Then said the Jews, "Behold (IDA- see!) how He loved him."
     In verse thirtyfive we find that Jesus wept. In verse thirtysix we see where the Jews marveled at how much Jesus apparently loved ( PHILEO- the love of a friend) Lazarus. Jesus however, did not waste much time weeping. Instead, He through the power of God, manifested by His (Jesus) incredible believing, resurrected Lazarus from the dead. 
     I touched on this account to show an example of the love of a friend. This account is full of other interesting information as well as being a fascinating account of this mighty miracle. I strongly reccomend reading the full account.

Gary Jones Posted 7/2/9

I John 4:8)" He that loveth (AGAPAO) not knoweth not God; for God is love." (AGAPE)
     Here we find that he that loveth not does not know God, for God is love. Seeing that God is love coupled with the fact that God's love and charity are not translated from any other words other than AGAPE/AGAPAO,in the New Testament, I feel it safe to conclude that AGAPE/AGAPAO are the LOVE of God. Yes, several other words in the New Testament are translated love but they do not refer to the love of God. They do refer to other examples of love as a few were shown in the previous article.
     In Matthew chapter twenty two  a lawyer ask Jesus what is the great law?
Matthew 22:37)" Jesus said unto him," Thou shalt love (AGAPAO) the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind."
38)" This is the first and great commandment."
39)" And the second is like unto it Thou shalt love (AGAPAO) thy neighbor as thyself."
40)" On these two commandments hang all the law and prophets."
     We find that we are to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind. We are also to love our neighbor (HO PLESSION- the one near or close to) as ourselves. We also find that all of the law hangs on these two commandments. If we love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, we are not going to do or say anything that is adverse to or about Him. We are not going to do or say anything that makes Him or His Word look bad. If we love our neighbor as ourself, we are not going to do or say anything adverse about them. If we keep these two commandments, we thereby keep the law as the law is based on these two commandments. Lets take a look at two of the many aspects of this wonderful, amazing, form of love, which is the greatest of all forms of love.
I PETER4:8)" And above all things have fervent (HEKTENES- extended, stretched out) charity (AGARE- the love of God) among yourselves; for charity (AGAPE- the love of God) shall cover the multitude of sins."
    I do not know about you, but to me that's great news! Why, because I have a lot of sins committed throughout my lifetime that badly need to be covered! By simply utilizing God's magnificent love in my life I can cover a mulititude of them! WOW that is indeed great news!
Galatians 5:6)" For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith (PISTIS- believing) which worketh ( ENERGEO- to work in) by love." (AGAPE)
     We find that in Jesus Christ circumcision does not matter one way or the other. It does not matter if you are of if you are not. Faith or believing is what matters. We also find that this is energized or works by love (AGAPE). One of the ways to increase your believing is to try to the best of your ability to walk in the Love of God. The more we try to walk in God's Love or utilize it in our lives the stronger our believing becomes. So, how do we go about obtaining this incredible form of love?
Romans 5:1)" Therefore being justified (DIKAIOO- to make or declare right) by faith (PITSTIS- believing) we have peace (EIRENE- unitiy, concord, quiteness) with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:"
2)" By Whom we have access ( PROSAGOGE- a leading into) by faith (PISTIS- believing) into this grace (CHARIS- favor) wherein we stand, (HISTEMI- to set, place, or make a stand) and rejoice ( KAUCHOMIA- boast, glory) in the hope of the glory of God."
3)" And not only so but we glory (KAUCHOMIA- to boast) in tribulation ( THIPSIS- pressure, affliction) also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience; (HUPOMONE- endurance)
4)" And patience, experience; (DOKIME- proof, testing) and experience, hope:
5)" And hope maketh not ashamed; (KATAISCHONOE- to cause shame) because the love (AGAPE) of God is shed (EKCHUNO- to pour out) abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."
     In verse one we find, that being justified or declared right by our believing in Jesus Christ, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. People are always talking about," making their peace with God". People will also tell you all about how to do so. Here we see what God's Word, the Bible actually says about it. It is much more simple than most people would have you believe.
     In verse two we find that through Jesus Christ we have access or a way into the grace or favor of God, whereby we take a stand in the hope and glory of God. In verse three we find that we glory or boast in tribulation. Such as," I do not know how or even when, but by the grace of God through Jesus Christ, God will get me through this." We also find that tribulation worketh or builds patience or endurance. When we have been through trouble several times, we can refelect back on what we have been through. " Yes, by the grace and mercy of God, I have been through a lot. God has always found a way out for me and He will this time as well." We can also remind ourselves of these other times when things look hopeless. We can draw strength from the memories of all the other times God has worked in our lives. This helps to renew our believing, giving God time to do what is needed.
     In verse four we find that patience builds experience and experience, hope. When we are waiting for God through Jesus Christ to work in our lives we can have hope, because we have been through situatations before and God through Jesus Christ has pulled us through. Therefore we know things are not hopeless.
     From verse five we find that having hope will not make us ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad or poured out in or hearts. YES! The love of God is ALREADY in our hearts! It was shed abroad in our hearts when we first believed. It is just sitting there waiting for us to make use of it. So, how do we go about that? That is the subject of the next article.

Gary Jones, Posted 7/8/9 

Ephesians 5:1)" Be ye therefore followers(mimetes- imitators) of God, as dear children;" 2)" And walk in love(agape), as Christ hath also loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour."
     We find from these verses that we are to be imitators of God. Children often imitate their parents. Thus, we are to try to imitate God, as His children. We are to walk in love(agape), as Christ has loved us and given Himself for us as a sacrifice to atone for our sins. Jesus Christ was God's example of His Word in the flesh. He was an example to us of what we should strive to be, as He always did God's Will and lived completely as God's Word, the Bible tells us to. He was a living example of what God wants us to be. God knows that we will never be able to fully live like Jesus Christ while we walk the earth, but Jesus Christ set the standard that we should try to the best of our abilty to live up to.
Romans 12:9)" Let love(agape) be without dissimulation.(anupokritos- not hypocritical) Abhor( apostugeo- to shrink from) that which is evil; cleave(kollao- to glue, join, adhere to) to that which is good."
10)" Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love;(philadelphia) in honour preferring one another;"                                                                                                    11)" Not slothful( okneros- motionless,idle) in business; fervent(zeo- to boil, be hot) in spirit; serving the Lord;"
12)" Rejoicing in hope; patient(hupomeno- endure, take patiently) in tribulation;(thlipsis- pressure, affliction) continuing instant in prayer;"
13)" Distributing( koinomeo- to make common) to the necessity(shreia- needs) of the saints; given to hospitality."
14)" Bless(eulogeo- to speak well of) them which persecute(dioko- to pursue) you: bless and curse(katapaouai- to wish a curse against) not."
15)" Rejoice( chairo- be glad) with them that do rejoice; and weep(klaio- to break forth,wail) with them that weep."
16)" Be of the same mind(autoph-to mind the same thing) one toward another. mind not high(hupselos- things well esteemed) things, but condescend(sumapagomia- to be carried away with) to men of low estate.(tapeinos- humble) Be not wise(phronimus- mindful) in your own conceits.( rapeautois- in your own eyes)
17)" Recompense(apodidomi- to give back) to no man evil for evil. Provide all things honest in the sight of all men."
18)" If it be possible,(dunatos- able, capable) as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."
19)" Dearly beloved, avenge(ekdikeo- to give full justice) not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath:(orge-anger) for it is written, vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."
20)" Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thrist, give him drink: for in doing so thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head."
21)" Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."
     Beginning in verse nine, we find that our love of God should be without hypocrisy. It should therefore be something WE DO as well as talk about! We should shrink, shy away from, or distance ourselves from anything that is evil. We should cleave or glue ourselves to anything that is good. We should be kind, one to another. We should treat one another with brotherly love. ( philadelphia, this type of love was discussed in the previous article.) We should also prefer one another.
     We should not be idle or lazy in our business dealings. We should be boiling hot or enthusiastic in spirit, serving the Lord. We should rejoice in hope and take pressures or afflictions with patience and endurance. We should be quick with prayer, not hesitating when we see the need for it. We should be willing to give of our abundance to other believers who lack. If I have something that I am not using and you need it, I should give it to you. You should be willing to do the same for myself or any other believer. We should also be open to hospitality. We should be glad with those that are glad and sympathic to those who are going through sorrow. We should think the same things of each other. We should not aspire to the things everybody wants in order to " just keep up appearences" ( status symbols ). We should be drawn to the humble. We should never lay claim to or think we are some sort of "wise one" or "great one". 
     " Two wrongs do not equal a right." That is a saying I often heard as a child. Often sayings, such as this one are based on a verse from the Bible. Here we find that we should not give back an evil in payment for an evil that was done to us by the other party. The same point is made using different words. We also find from this verse that we are to provide or put forth things honest in the sight of all men. This verse  DOES NOT SAY all Christians. It  DOES SAY all men. We should therefore, be honest and straight forward WITH ALL MEN. If it is possible, we need to live in peace with all men. The key here is," If it be possible...". Some people just plain do not understand anything but violence and trouble. We should always try to settle squables and all disagreements in a peaceful manner. However, it is not always possible to do so.
     We also find that we are not to avenge wrongs that people do to us. ANY  vengeance belongs to God and He will take care of the matter. Personally, this was very hard for me to accept. For many years I had not taken anything off of anybody without a quick and rapid response. Once, as I was about to take things into my own hands, a wise old man, whom I thought a lot of, begged me not to, saying," Look son, I agree, these people have wronged you, but vengeance belongs to God and God alone. Please, let God take care of it this time. If He feels you have been wronged He will take care of it in His own time and in a way that they will know why what has happened has happened in the way that it does. Also, the law of man can not put God Almighty in jail."
     He was right. The matter was settled, though not right away, in due time. It was settled in a much better way than anything I could have come up with and I could not be tied to it. Like he said, the law of man can not put God in jail, which is where I would have wound up, if I had taken matters into my own hands. The next time somebody did me an injustice I remembered this time and it was much easier to just sit back and let God take care of it. An interesting side note I have found to this is, that many times what we humans call "poetic justice", is nothing more than God taking care of business!
     We also see that if our enemy is hungry, feed him! If he is thirsty, give him something to drink! It drives people who have wronged you nuts to realize that , you who they have wronged are the one who helps them! Often nasty, evil, wicked people can not get any help. You may likely be the only one who offers to help. If they are inteligent, they may think twice before doing you another injustice. God often picks some ways that we think of as strange to reach people who need to be reached. Do not be surprised if you wind up witnessing to them. However, none of these things are the reason we do this. We are to do this solely because we love God and truely want to walk in His love. Anything good that comes of behaving like this is simply icing on the cake, so to speak.
     In closeing out this magnificent section of scripture, we find that, we should not be overcome with evil, but we should overcome evil with good. It is not always easy to live in this way. Nobody, other than Jesus Christ has ever been able to do so, completely. However the more we try, the easier it becomes.
     This article on Walking in the Love of God, is by no means complete. In fact it is only a start. I will likely write more on this subject later. I suggest reading the books of Ephesians, I John, and the thirteenth chapter of I Corinthians. Also, if a concordance is available, look up the verses where love and charity are translated from the words agape and agapao.

Gary Jones Posted 7/19/9