Jesus says, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Love, it’s a word we all hear. Many song titles try to define the concept – “Love makes the world go around” “Love is a many splendid thing” “What the world needs now is love sweet love”. Do you have a favorite song to add?
We all know that the word love can have many meanings or nuances. Unfortunately in our English language these nuances are implied rather than stated explicitly. Let’s spend a few moments looking at the word “love” from the Greek language. The Greek language has four different words for love. Storge is familial love, such as a parent to a child. Philea means to share interests, to be “friends,” to be buddies. Eros means intimate or romantic love. Agape means to love unselfishly, or sacrificially.
Today we have heard about the disciples Priscilla and Aquila and their Christian ministries and outreach. So what Greek word for love would we use when talking about them?
First we hear how Priscilla and Aquila became the honored and much-loved friends of Paul having great affection for him. Paul in response held them in high esteem. Of all Paul’s co-workers none were to prove themselves as loyal and helpful as these two. Paul most likely was a single or celibate man, and therefore the friendship and comfort of others was extremely important and none cared for Paul as did Priscilla and Aquila.
They were willing to invest the time necessary to take Apollos under their spiritual care and to share the Good News of Jesus with him. Priscilla and Aquila took him aside, did the correction in private to preserve Apollos’ credibility. We also hear how they opened their home to the Christian communities they served. So what Greek word for love applies here? Yes, it would be philea, friendship love.
But we also hear and know that they were one in marital bliss. It was a story blending romance and love. From the record we have of Aquila and Priscilla their story is one of a beautiful life. Together from the time of their marriage they are always named together, and were inseparable. Their two hearts beat as one. What a happy and joyous picture of committed love they present! Their lives together was a divine covenant and indissoluble union. Priscilla and Aquila experienced the doubling of the joys of life,while the sorrows of life were halved.
They enjoyed being together everywhere, in the home, in the workplace and most likely in the bedroom. She was certainly not Aquila’s property - as was customary in Greco-Roman society - but rather his partner in ministry and marriage. They were equals. So what Greek word for love applies here? Yes, it would be eros.
Paul recounts Priscilla and Aquila’s readiness to sacrifice themselves on his behalf, risking their own necks to save his. (Roman16:3-5). In the Gospel of John we hear, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for a friend” (John 15:13). Sounds like this is what Priscilla and Aquila was willing to do for Paul. They not only risked their lives for Paul but they opened their home as a worship place for the early Christian community. In doing so they opened themselves up to possible persecution by the Roman government.
While the last mention of Aquila and Priscilla is to be found in the Second Letter of Paul to Timothy (circa 66 CE), tradition has been told that they ultimately gave their lives for Christ’s sake. In the Roman Church, July 8th is the day set apart for remembering Priscilla and Aquila. On this day it is said the faithful couple were led out beyond the walls and beheaded. Together they ministered in the Lord’s name, together they gave their lives for the Master. So what Greek word for love applies here? Yes, it would be agape.
Remember that Jesus says the world will know his disciples by the love they have for one another. Were Priscilla and Aquila disciples of Jesus? What Greek word for love is fitting when talking about the lives of Priscilla and Aquila? Would it be philea, agape or even eros? In this case maybe the boring English word love might be enough? Are you a disciple of Jesus and what Greek or English describes your love for others?
NOTES
April 24, 2016
Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year C
For the First Reading, substituted: Acts 18:1-3, 18-19, 24-26
Image: "Ask me no more" by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema in 1906