Why did Peter not get the full impact of agape love?
Peter did not get the full impact of agape love because he cut back and replied with phileo, saying, “I am fond of you.” He used a lesser Greek term than agape, which is defined as seeking that other person’s highest good in 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.” It was a less term than agape. Les gives his best definition of agape for English speakers: seeking that other person’s highest good. That is true agape love in practice—when we always, under every circumstance, try to seek that other person’s highest good. It may even mean selling ourselves short to accomplish the highest good for the other. So rather than use liberty to satisfy the lusts of the flesh, we are to let God-given agape love operate.
More Questions
Why did Peter not understand the full meaning of agape love when Jesus questioned him?
Peter never really grasped the full impact of agape love because when Jesus asked him, Peter cut back and answered with phileo ("I am fond of you"), which is a lesser term than agape.