LOVE
Here is a good article on the three types of love.  I'm glad that God has made it clear to us how He  feels about us! His love is awesome! We talk about it, sing about it,  and study it at Crossway... and we want to tell others about His love. - GG
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Regardless of economics, race or status, people value love and recognize that love will shape what is good and true. It  should not be surprising to anybody that love  permeates and lies at the heart of our Biblical message.

Since  our English word love is used so  broadly, it is helpful to distinguish between  different types of love in order to gain a more precise understanding of the New Testament's message. This  can be easily accomplished because the New Testament was written in Greek and there are various Greek words for love.

Eros

Eros is  probably what most people mean when they announce  with a smile, "I'm in love." This type of love covers everything from  queasy stomachs and warm  fuzzy feelings to strong sensual passion.

There are a couple of very interesting characteristics about eros. First, in  order to exist eros is  dependent upon the situation and circumstances. As  long as a couple is enjoying a romantic situation, eros can thrive. But, as soon as hurtful words or  actions appear, eros simply evaporates.

Second, eros is also held captive to each person's perception. For example, if  someone perceives a  particular quiet evening dinner with candles to be  romantic, eros will thrive. However, passion becomes squashed for  someone whenever he or she interprets  the current situation to be undesirable. Eros thus  grows strong and then wastes away based upon our perceptions.

Although eros at times might make  us feel like we are on cloud nine, it can not  provide a reliable basis for building a deep and meaningful relationship since it is so fickle and dependent  upon perception and circumstances. Because of such  things as accidents, diseases, and the fact that someone can choose to  doubt or despise you regardless  of your actions, it is clear that we can not  determine how others will perceive us nor are we masters of our own  circumstances. Although eros is  exhilarating, this is not the Biblical word used for love.

Philia

We recognize philia and its meaning  from the name Philadelphia, that  is, the city of brotherly love. This is the love of  friendship, best friends, and the fellowship of being with those people  you enjoy.

Although  philia is wonderful, it too is not reliable since it is also held captive by the sifting sands of situation as well as by  ours and other's perceptions and  expectations. Unfortunately, we probably all know of a friendship which waned or was severed because of time, distance,  harsh words, how someone  interpreted another's actions, etc. When the New  Testament commends love, philia is the not the word which is used.

The Beauty of Agape*

Unlike the previous two types of love, agape is not limited to being held  hostage by its environment and someone's perception. The reason why  agape can  soar above these is because it is based upon the  commitment of a decision. It entails the decision to proactively seek  someone's well-being. Since it is  not a knee jerk reaction nor just a responsive  feeling to how I've been treated, agape is capable of acting in a  hostile environment where there are no  warm fuzzy feelings. For example, Jesus' teaching  that we should agape our enemies is intended to show the boundless  nature of the Christian commitment  toward seeking another's well-being. Luke 6:35

The New Testament is full of examples and teachings illustrating the nature of agape as well as  teaching designed to train the disciple's heart to  be shaped by agape. A few examples illustrating the active nature of  agape include:
 Knowing that sinful man would kill His Son, but  also knowing that without Jesus we were doomed, God loved (agape) us by  sending his Son. John 3:16

Those who love (agape) Jesus will do what Jesus taught. John 14:15,23

If a person has material resources and the love  (agape) of God within him, his heart will take care of his brother who  is in need. 1 John 3:17

Just as Christ through love (agape) acted on  behalf of the church, so too the Christian husband is to be motivated by love (agape) to act on behalf of his wife. Ephesians 5:25-29

If it were not enough that the proactive  nature of agape has the power to rise above its environment, it can also empower passion and friendship!  For example, when a spouse chooses to speak and act  toward the mate with agape, this creates the loving environment in which eros and philia can thrive!  Although the proactive spouse might even perceive  the other spouse as being unkind or rude, additional problems can be  prevented by responding out of agape  while the power of agape works at nurturing the  growth of the other forms of love!

Jesus taught his disciples  that the world would know that they  his people if they would show agape toward one  another. John 13:35

*For the sake of simplicity, both agape (noun) and agapeo (verb) are being  referred to by agape.
Barry Newton, Copyright © 2002