Why did Peter not fully understand agape love when Jesus asked him if he loved Him?
Peter did not fully understand agape love because he cut back and replied with phileo, saying he was fond of Him. Phileo was a lesser term than agape, which always means seeking the other person's highest good under every circumstance.
Les explains that Peter never really did get the full impact of agape love, because Peter cut back and said, “I phileo you, I am fond of you.” That was a lesser term than agape. Les defines agape love as seeking that other person’s highest good. In practice, true agape love means always, under every circumstance, trying to seek the other person’s highest good—even selling ourselves short to accomplish what is best for the other. So rather than using our liberty to satisfy the lusts of the flesh, believers are to let that God-given agape love, the word in the Greek, operate.
So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
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