Agapaō
/a.ɡaˈpa.oː/noun
A Koine Greek verb meaning to love, value, or show devoted regard.
Did you know?Agapaō became especially prominent in early Christian Greek, where it described committed, self-giving love rather than merely romantic desire.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Greek
Ancient Greek
ἀγαπάω (agapaō)
“To love, treat with affection, or hold in esteem; its deeper pre-Greek origin is uncertain.”
3rd–2nd Century BCE
Koine Greek
ἀγαπάω (agapaō)
“A verb used in the Greek translation of Jewish scriptures, often for covenantal or devoted love.”
1st Century CE
Koine Greek
ἀγαπάω (agapaō)
“To love, show goodwill toward, or value highly; used extensively in the New Testament.”
2nd–4th Century CE
Late Greek
ἀγαπᾶν (agapān)
“The infinitive form meaning “to love” in Christian theological and liturgical writing.”
19th–20th Century
English scholarly usage
agapaō
“A scholarly transliteration used in Biblical studies and theology to discuss the Greek verb precisely.”
Modern English
English
Agapaō
“A specialized theological term for deliberate, devoted, or self-giving love.”