What is this thing called love?
This funny thing called love?
Just who can solve its mystery?
Why should it make a fool of me?

I saw you there one wonderful day
You took my heart and threw it away
That's why I ask the Lord in Heaven above
What is this thing called love?

Cole Porter wrote the lyrics to that old Billie Holiday hit. Since love is driving couples to the altar, what is this thing called love?

Every couple has it’s own description of this thing called love. The first time love is “realized” between two hearts sometimes makes a person totally speechless, unable to say anything. If something is said, it might not even make sense. 

In 1 John, toward the back of the New Testament, John says, “God is love.” In fact, that little book talks more about love and what to do with it than any other.

The New Testament was originally written in the very descriptive and meaningful Greek language. Ancient writers used three classic words for love: eros, philia and agape. However, only philia and agape find themselves in the Bible.

Eros is sensual love and passionate. It is usually used in a context of desire and longing. It can be sexual, but is not always, as people have all sorts of passions in life. It was and still is a word often used to describe “love” within dating and marriage relationships.

Philia simply means friendship. It’s love that is shared between close friends and always family members. Philadelphia has always been known as the City of Brotherly Love.

The most frequent word for love in the Bible is agape. The Greeks used it to describe how they felt about one’s spouse or children. It is how Jesus felt about his disciples. It is what Jesus said to do for our enemies. It’s unconditional and sacrificing. It’s paying a price for the feeling. It’s actually the peace plan for the world.

It’s been said that love may be blind, but marriage is a real eye-opener! Every marriage relationship should have a delightful mix of these loving feelings. There are certainly erotic times (eros) and sharing life with your best friend (philia). However, love in the context of marriage is so much bigger than those words.

1 Corinthians 13 is, of course, the timeless chapter of “Love is...” Agape love is the love of long lasting relationships. Agape love is the love of decades of marriage. A price is paid for the pleasure of true love. It is more valuable than anything. It’s something for which we would pay the ultimate price. It is what allows people to live in peace with each other.

What is love? “It's silence when your words would hurt. It's patience when your neighbor's curt. It's deafness when the scandal flows. It's thoughtfulness for another's woes. It's promptness when stern duty calls. It's courage when misfortune falls.” - Anonymous