Agape - GCSE Religious Studies Definition

What is Agape?

In GCSE Religious Studies, agape is generally understood as unconditional, sacrificial, selfless love. This is considered the highest type of love in Christianity.

Agape is a Greek word meaning the type of love that is not concerned with self but with the good of others. This unconditional love means putting others before self and contrasts with other types of love, such as love for friends (philia) or falling in love (eros).

Christians refer to agape as Christian love, because it is the type of love Jesus epitomised by his sacrifice on the cross for the salvation of all. It is also the type of unconditional love Jesus taught his followers to show one another in numerous teachings such as his ‘new commandment’ given at the Last Supper (John 13:34–5) and the Parable of the Sheep and Goats (Matthew 25:31-46)

Agape Revision Resources to Ace Your Exams

You can learn more about agape and how it is demonstrated by Christians in our GCSE Religious Studies revision note pages:

The Christian Church in the Global Community (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B)

Reconciliation (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B)

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