Lexical Definition

‎ἀγαπάω‎ agapáō (ag-ap-ah'-o) to love ^G:V
perhaps from (much)

(be-)love(-ed).

• to love (in a social or moral sense)

Abbott-Smith

ἀγαπάω, -ῶ, [in LXX chiefly for אהב;]
to love, to feel and exhibit esteem and goodwill to a person, to prize and delight in a thing.
1. Of human affection, to men: τ. πλησίον, Mt 5:43; τ. ἐχθρούς, ib. 44; to Christ, Jo 8:42; to God, Mt 22:37; c. acc. rei, Lk 11:43, Jo 12:43, Eph 5:25, II Tim 4:8, 10, He 1:9, I Pe 2:17, 3:10, II Pe 2:15, I Jo 2:15, Re 12:11.
2. Of divine love;
(a) God's love: to men, Ro 8:37; to Christ, Jo 3:35;
(b) Christ's love: to men, Mk 10:21; to God, Jo 14:31; c. cogn. acc., Jo 17:26, Eph 2:4.
SYN.: φιλέω. From its supposed etymology (Thayer, LS; but v. also Boisacq) ἀ. is commonly understood properly to denote love based on esteem (diligo), as distinct from that expressed by φιλέω (amo), spontaneous natural affection, emotional and unreasoning. If this distinction holds, ἀ. is fitly used in NT of Christian love to God and man, the spiritual affection which follows the direction of the will, and which, therefore, unlike that feeling which is instinctive and unreasoned, can be commanded as a duty. (Cf. ἀγάπη, and v. Tr., Syn. §xii; Cremer, 9, 592; and esp. MM, VGT, s.v.)

Abbott-Smith References

Liddell-Scott-Jones

ἀγαπάω

(Doric dialect ἀγαπ-έω [Refs 4th c.BC+], Epic dialect aorist ἀγάπησα[Refs 8th c.BC+]: perfect ἠγάπηκα[Refs 5th c.BC+]

__I greet with affection (compare {ἀγαπάζω}), once in [Refs 8th c.BC+], Od.[same place]:—in Trag. only show affection for the dead, ὅτ᾽ ἠγάπα νεκρούς[Refs 5th c.BC+]:—passive, to be regarded with affection, ξένων εὐεργεσίαις ἀγαπᾶται[Refs 5th c.BC+]:— generally, love, ὥσπερ.. οἱ ποιηταὶ τὰ αὑτῶν ποιήματα καὶ οἱ πατέρες τοὺς παῖδας ἀγαπῶσι[Refs 5th c.BC+]; ὡς λύκοι ἄρν᾽ ἀγαπῶσ᾽ poetical cited in [Refs]; ἐπιστήμην, τὰ χρήματα, etc., [Refs 4th c.BC+]; especially of children, αὐτὸν ἐτιθηνούμην ἀγαπῶσα[Refs]:—passive, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; so in LXX of the love of God for man and of man for God, [LXX+NT] implying regard rather than affection, but the two are interchanged,[Refs 5th c.BC+]; φιλεῖσθαι defined as ἀγαπᾶσθαι αὐτὸν δι᾽ αὑτόν[Refs 4th c.BC+] to be fond of them, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἐρωτικὴν μέμψιν ἡ ἀγαπωμένη λύει uncertain in [NT+3rd c.AD+]
__I.2 persuade, entreat, [LXX]
__I.3 caress, pet, [Refs 1st c.AD+]
__II of things, to be fond of, prize, desire, [NT+5th c.BC+]; prefer, τὰ Φιλίππου δῶρα ἀντὶ τῶν κοινῇ τοῖς Ἕλλησι συμφερόντων[Refs 4th c.BC+]:—passive, λιθίδια τὰ ἀγαπώμενα highly prized, precious stones, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__III to be well pleased, contented, once in [Refs 8th c.BC+]; frequently in Attic dialect, ἀγαπᾶν ὅτι.. [Refs 5th c.BC+]; more commonly, ἀ. εἰ.. to be well content if.., [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἐὰν[Refs 5th c.BC+]
__III.2 with participle, ἀ. τιμώμενος[Refs 5th c.BC+]: with infinitive, οὐκ ἀ. τῶν ἴσων τυγχάνειν τοῖς ἄλλοις[Refs 5th c.BC+]
__III.3 with dative of things, to be contented with, ἀ. τοῖς ὑπάρχουσιν ἀγαθοῖς[Refs 5th c.BC+]
__III.4 with accusative of things, tolerate, put up with, μηκέτι τὴν ἐλευθερίαν ἀ.[Refs 5th c.BC+]
__III.5 rarely with genitive, ἵνα.. τῆς ἀξίας ἀγαπῶσιν may be content with the proper price, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]
__III.6 absolutely, to be content, ἀγαπήσαντες[Refs 4th c.BC+]
__III.7 with infinitive, to be fond of doing, wont to do, like{φιλέω}, τοὺς Λυκίους ἀγαπῶντας τὸ τρίχωμα φορεῖν [LXX+4th c.BC+]

_{LSJ Scripture Refs: LXX.Isa.41.8 ☩ LXX.Deut.11.1 ☩ John.3.21 ☩ Rom.8.28 ☩ Matt.5.43 ☩ LXX.2Chr.18.2 ☩ John.3.19 ☩ LXX.Hos.12.7*}