http://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2011/07/12/exegesis-of-vespers-readings-for-the-feast-of-the-apostles-peter-and-paul-differences-between-peter-and-paul/ McKinney TX Homilies, scripture commentary, spiritual reflections Tue, 14 May 2013 00:17:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2011/07/12/exegesis-of-vespers-readings-for-the-feast-of-the-apostles-peter-and-paul-differences-between-peter-and-paul/comment-page-1/#comment-16420 Deborah Tue, 12 Jul 2011 23:11:02 +0000 http://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/?p=3596#comment-16420 <em>Father, Bless, </em> I remember how eye opening it was the first time someone pointed out the difference between the love--<em>agape</em> that Christ was referring to and the love-<em>phileo</em> that Peter responded with in the exchange after the Lord's resurrection.   Your stating in this homily that Peter eventually learned to love the Lord with agape love roused my curiosity and I looked up St. Peter's use of the word love in his two epistles.  There was one reference to love/<em>agape</em> of  Christ and numerous exhortations to the brethren to love/agape one another.  Only once did he call them to <em>phileo</em>-brotherly love/affection. He is quite obviously no longer afraid to use the term agape both in reference to love of Christ and in his commands for Christians to love one another.   St. Peter's calls for the brethren to have perfect love for one another could be written off as urging them to strive for a standard that they will never achieve in this lifetime.  But in 1 Peter 1:8 he states it as if agape love of Christ was something that had already been accomplished:<em> "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,  that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of </em><strong><em>Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love (agapate)."</em></strong>  1 Peter 1:7-9   That is eye opening <em>and</em> mind blowing, both.   Father, Bless,

I remember how eye opening it was the first time someone pointed out the difference between the love–agape that Christ was referring to and the love-phileo that Peter responded with in the exchange after the Lord's resurrection.
 
Your stating in this homily that Peter eventually learned to love the Lord with agape love roused my curiosity and I looked up St. Peter's use of the word love in his two epistles.  There was one reference to love/agape of  Christ and numerous exhortations to the brethren to love/agape one another.  Only once did he call them to phileo-brotherly love/affection. He is quite obviously no longer afraid to use the term agape both in reference to love of Christ and in his commands for Christians to love one another.
 
St. Peter's calls for the brethren to have perfect love for one another could be written off as urging them to strive for a standard that they will never achieve in this lifetime.  But in 1 Peter 1:8 he states it as if agape love of Christ was something that had already been accomplished: "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,  that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love (agapate)."  1 Peter 1:7-9
 
That is eye opening and mind blowing, both.
 

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