Whether any two words are exact synonyms or have clearly distinct meanings is it is not jointly exhaustive or not mutually exclusive in almost all Languages. In every language, the meaning of synonyms overlap so that for one thing, typically more than one word can be used. At the same time, words have flavors, hardly ever are they exact synonyms. Consider for instance the English words "love", "friendship", "affection", "benevolence", "mercy", and "pity": in many contexts, more than one could be appropriate, although each of them has a flavor that distinguishes its meaning from the meaning of all others. Similarly, it is plausible that the meanings of philia and agapê overlap but that each of these words has a flavor. This being so, it may be dangerous to draw too many conclusions from the usage of one or the other in some context.one exception to this general observation -in science it is customary to single out a specific meaning of a word by a definition . . .for example when a Dr. talks about an "inflammation", it is well-defined which findings could be meant and which cannot
Some people want to read the Bible as if there were a hidden definition for every word, and the Bible would use the word consistently according to that definition. An example of that what is called Hebrew nefesh (soul) this time could be called neshama (breath) next time - and this does not mean that the Bible is in any way "inconsistent" but only that the meanings of the two words overlap. In other words, the Bible uses its language exactly the same way you and I use ours, and not the way an attorney or a mathematician would use their respective jargon.
To find out what love is, we'll not start by dividing it into distinct phenomena with distinct (Greek, Latin, or English) names. Rather,we will look at Biblical examples to find out what emotions, motivations, thoughts, words, and actions are loving, and on which of these aspects the Bible places the emphasis. My impression is: on actions and words much more than on emotions, in contrast to what the everyday usage of the word "love" suggests. Remember the eastern cultures are more concrete than abstract of our western cultures. Think of abstract art verses cement and rocks to remember the difference.
In Hebrew Ahava is the most used term for both interpersonal love and love of God. chen (grace) and chesed, which basically combines the meaning of "affection" and "compassion" and is sometimes rendered in English as "loving-kindness".
Judaism employs a wide definition of love, both between people and between man: the Torah states: "Love your neighbor like yourself"
and the Deity: one is commanded to love God "with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your might"
to refer to good deeds, willingness to sacrifice one's life rather than commit certain serious transgressions, willingness to sacrifice all one's possessions and being grateful to the Lord despite adversity Rabbinic literature differs how this love can be developed, e.g. by contemplating Divine deeds or witnessing the marvels of nature.
As for love between marital partners, this is an essential ingredient to life: The Biblical book Song of Songs is a considered a romantic love song. Defining love from the Jewish point-of-view is "giving without expecting to take" A form of submission
The English word love probably comes from the Hebrew word "lehv" (spelled lamed-beyt) which means heart (the seat of emotion in Hebrew thought). The Hebrew word translated as "love" is "ahav" (spelled aleph-hey-beyt) which comes from the parent root "hav" (spelled hey-beyt). Hav means "the family one is born into and given as a gift, a privilege." From this parent root comes the child root "ahav" (love) meaning "the love (emotional and actions) one gives to the family that one is privileged with." The best example of this is the love one should have for God. Deut 4.7 "And you shall love (ahav) YHWH, your God, with all your heart (lev) and with all your soul (nephesh) and with all your greatness (me'od)."
this was gleaned from wiki-
There are a number of different Greek words for love, and it has been historically difficult to separate the meanings of these words. The senses in which these words were generally used are given below.
* Eros (ἔρως érōs) is passionate love, with sensual desire and longing. The Modern Greek word "erotas" means "(romantic) love". However, eros does not have to be sexual in nature. Eros can be interpreted as a love for someone whom you love more than the philia love of friendship. It can also apply to dating relationships as well as marriage. Plato refined his own definition. Although eros is initially felt for a person, with contemplation it becomes an appreciation of the beauty within that person, or even becomes appreciation of beauty itself. It should be noted Plato does not talk of physical attraction as a necessary part of love, hence the use of the word platonic to mean, "without physical attraction". Plato also said eros helps the soul recall knowledge of beauty, and contributes to an understanding of spiritual truth. Lovers and philosophers are all inspired to seek truth by eros. The most famous ancient work on the subject of eros is Plato's Symposium, which is a discussion among the students of Socrates on the nature of eros.
* Philia (φιλία philía), which means friendship in modern Greek, a dispassionate virtuous love, was a concept developed by Aristotle. It includes loyalty to friends, family, and community, and requires virtue, equality and familiarity. In ancient texts, philia denoted a general type of love, used for love between family, between friends, a desire or enjoyment of an activity, as well as between lovers. This is the only other word for "love" used in the ancient text of the New Testament besides agape, but even then it is used substantially less frequently.
* Agapē (ἀγάπη agápē) means "love" in modern day Greek, such as in the term s'agapo (Σ'αγαπώ), which means"I love you". In Ancient Greek it often refers to a general affection rather than the attraction suggested by "eros"; agape is used in ancient texts to denote feelings for a good meal, one's children, and the feelings for a spouse. It can be described as the feeling of being content or holding one in high regard. The verb appears in the New Testament describing, amongst other things, the relationship between Jesus and the beloved disciple. In biblical literature, its meaning and usage is illustrated by self-sacrificing, giving love to all--both friend and enemy. It is used in Matthew 22:39, "Love your neighbour as yourself," and in John 15:12, "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you," and in 1 John 4:8, "God is love." However, the word "agape" is not always used in the New Testament in a positive sense. II Timothy 4:10 uses the word in a negative sense. The Apostle Paul writes,"For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved (agapo) this present world...." Thus the word "agape" is not always used of a divine love or the love of God. The Christian sense of the term expands the original Greek sense and encompasses a total commitment or self-sacrificial love for the thing loved. A great deal of Christian theology is indebted to the frequency of this word and its interpretation in the New Testament.
* Storge (στοργή storgē) means "affection" in modern Greek; it is natural affection, like that felt by parents for offspring. Rarely used in ancient works, and then almost exclusively as a descriptor of relationships within the family.
* Thelema (θέλημα thélēma) means "desire" in modern Greek; it is the desire to do something, to be occupied, to be in prominence.
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