Renewing Your Mind — "Agape Love"

Podcast: Renewing Your Mind (Ligonier Ministries)
Date: February 13, 2026
Host: Nathan W. Bingham
Teacher: R.C. Sproul

Overview

This episode explores the New Testament's supreme concept of love: agape. R.C. Sproul unpacks the rich meaning of agape in scripture, compares it with other Greek words for love, and examines how this divine love is both the foundation of God's character and the calling for all Christians. The episode draws from biblical texts and word studies, and considers Christ’s radical command to love even our enemies.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Greek Words for Love and Their Significance

[00:00-06:00]

• Agape, Philia, Eros:

  • Sproul introduces three main Greek terms often translated as "love": eros (sensuous/erotic love), philia/phileo (friendship/brotherly love), and agape (divine/sacrificial love).
  • Quote: “The supreme concept of love that we find in the New Testament is this word agape, which has its ground and foundation in the character of God himself.”
    — R.C. Sproul, [00:00]

• Absence of Eros in the New Testament:

  • “The word eros does not occur in the New Testament, but because it is a prominent word in the Greek language... it is important that we have a basic understanding of it.”
    — R.C. Sproul, [04:40]

• Development & Meaning:

  • Eros carried with it in classical Greek connotations not just of sensuality but also the demonic, especially in pagan rituals. Plato and Aristotle attempted to remove the negative connotations.

2. Philia: Brotherly Love

[08:00-10:30]

• Example: Philadelphia as "City of Brotherly Love":
  • “When we speak of the city of Philadelphia, that city has a nickname… the city of brotherly love. And again, the word adelphos in Greek means brother, and phila refers to love.”
    — R.C. Sproul, [09:42]
  • Philia is affection and friendship, natural to humanity.

3. Agape: The New Testament’s Supreme Love

[11:00-13:30]

• Divine Origin and Christian Calling:
  • Agape is supernatural, poured out “in our hearts by the Holy Ghost,” and goes beyond natural affection.
  • Only possible because of the new birth by the Holy Spirit — “But to move to the highest level of agape is another question altogether.”
• Biblical Reference:
  • 1 John: “We ought to love one another because love is of God and everyone who loves is born of God.”

4. Jesus’ Radical Command to Love Enemies

[14:00-18:30]

• The Demands of Agape Love:

  • Example from Jay Adams’ counseling: Love is not optional; a Christian is commanded to love their spouse, neighbor—even their enemies.
  • Quote: “Do I need to remind you what Christ commands his people? To love your enemies.”
    — R.C. Sproul, retelling Jay Adams story, [16:45]

• Matthew 5:43–48—Sermon on the Mount:

  • Jesus corrects oral tradition, not the Old Testament itself: “You have heard that it was said… But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you…”

• God’s Beneficence:

  • God’s love is impartial — “He makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good... He sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
    — R.C. Sproul, [17:48]

• The Kingdom Ethic:

  • Christians are called to manifest God’s integrity, going beyond normal human boundaries: “Now that you are in the kingdom, you are to live out a kingdom ethic, the essence of which is this doctrine of love.”
    — R.C. Sproul, [18:51]

5. Jesus and Peter at the Sea of Tiberias: A Divine Challenge

[19:00-23:30]

• The Threefold "Do You Love Me?"
  • After Peter’s three denials, Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him, using both agape and phileo. There may or may not be a nuance in the switch of terms (scholars differ).
  • Quote: “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?... Do you agape me?... Peter answers... Yes, Lord, you know that I love you... I philae you.”
    — R.C. Sproul, [20:31]
  • Jesus links love for Him with ministry: “Feed my lambs... tend my sheep... feed my sheep.”
• Restoration through Love:
  • The threefold questioning mirrors Peter’s three denials; love is demonstrated through care for God’s people.

6. Living Out Divine Love

[23:00–23:50]

• Agape in Ministry:
  • “If you love Christ, how do you show the love of Christ? It's love me, love my dog, love me, love my sheep.”
    — R.C. Sproul, [22:32]
• Ultimate Call:
  • Christians are called to tend, feed, and give themselves to the care of God’s people — living out agape.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The supreme concept of love… is this word agape, which has its ground and foundation in the character of God himself.”
  — R.C. Sproul, [00:00]
• “You can't decide that you don't love her anymore. You must love your wife. ...God says, you have to love your neighbor. ...Do I need to remind you what Christ commands his people? To love your enemies.”
  — R.C. Sproul (relaying Jay Adams exchange), [15:40–16:45]
• “You are to manifest and to imitate nothing less than the integrity of Almighty God, who loves people even when they hate him.”
  — R.C. Sproul, [18:45]
• “If you love me... then you feed my lambs.... Love me, love my dog, love me, love my sheep.”
  — R.C. Sproul, [21:43–22:32]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Agape Defined; God’s Character: [00:00]
• Greek Words for Love — Overview: [01:22–04:30]
• The Absent ‘Eros’ and Its Development: [04:30–07:40]
• Philia & Philadelphia Example: [09:00–10:30]
• Agape — Divine Love for Christians: [11:00–13:30]
• Radical Love: Enemies, Jesus' Command: [14:00–18:30]
• Matthew 5 and Kingdom Ethic: [17:30–18:50]
• Jesus and Peter at the Sea — Threefold Love: [19:00–23:30]
• Demonstrating Agape in Ministry: [23:00–23:50]

Tone and Style

Sproul's tone is scholarly yet accessible, combining detailed word study with practical spiritual application. There’s a warm, pastoral emphasis — especially in the exhortations for Christians to love as Christ loves, no matter the cost or reciprocation.

Summary

This episode provides a deep dive into the New Testament’s vision of love, showing that agape — divine, selfless love — is at the heart of both God’s nature and the Christian calling. By clarifying the scriptural language and examining Jesus’ teachings, Sproul calls listeners to a radical, sacrificial love that transcends natural affection and mirrors God Himself.