LOVE AT WAR: ‘AGAPE’ VS. ‘APHRODITE’

 

A Journey Through History

In the bustling heart of the Roman Empire, sometime around the years 50 to 52 AD, the Apostle Paul set foot in the city of Corinth. It was during his second missionary journey that he arrived in this thriving metropolis.

Corinth was a wealthy and influential Greek city-state, renowned for its strategic position, trade, and cultural significance. It played a central role in Greek politics, often forming alliances or rivalries with powerful cities like Athens and Sparta.

The city was famous for its temples, particularly the Temple of Apollo (the Greek god of the sun, music, poetry, prophecy, and healing) and the Temple of Aphrodite (the Greek goddess of love, beauty, and desire). The city was also known for hosting the Isthmian Games, a major festival dedicated to Poseidon (the Greek god of the seas, storms, earthquakes, and horses).

After aligning with the Achaean League and rebelling against Rome, Corinth had been destroyed by Roman general Lucius Mummius in 146 BC. It was later rebuilt by Julius Caesar in 46 BC as a Roman colony.

By the time Paul arrived, Corinth had flourished as a thriving Roman colony and was one of Greece’s largest and most prosperous cities.

 

Geographical and Cultural Setting

Located on the narrow Isthmus of Corinth, the city connected northern and southern Greece, and served as a vital link between the east and the west of the Mediterranean. It had two major seaports: Lechaeum on the Corinthian Gulf (west), and Cenchreae on the Saronic Gulf (east), making it a thriving trade hub filled with merchants, travelers, and goods from across the empire.

Corinth’s population was diverse, consisting of Romans, Greeks, Jews, and people from various parts of the empire. This diversity brought cultural richness but also religious pluralism and moral looseness. Corinth had a reputation for vice and immorality.

 

The Temple of Aphrodite

At the highest point of ancient Corinth stood the Acrocorinth, a rocky plateau roughly 1,900 feet above sea level. This elevated site was home to a temple dedicated to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. In other words, the temple of Aphrodite was geographically located at the highest point in the city.

The temple’s prominent location is significant, as it highlights how the culture and philosophy tied to the worship of Aphrodite heavily influenced and dominated the city.

The temple was closely associated with ritual prostitution, which was believed to be part of the worship of Aphrodite. According to ancient sources, about a thousand priestesses, often called sacred prostitutes, served at the temple by engaging in sexual acts as an expression of devotion to the goddess. This practice played a major role in Corinth’s widespread reputation for sexual immorality.

This distorted the true meaning of love, creating a corrupted foundation where love was equated with sexual immorality. If acts of immorality could be seen as devotion to the goddess of love, it sent the message that love was primarily about physical desire and pleasure, rather than selfless commitment or virtue.

 

Aphrodite's Imprint on the Fabric of Language and Culture

A number of modern words and names originate from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, beauty, and desire, reflecting her enduring influence on language and culture.

One clear example is the word "aphrodisiac," which describes substances thought to enhance sexual desire—named in honor of the goddess because of her strong ties to sexual activity.

Likewise, the term "aphrodisia" can refer both to sexual longing and to the ancient festivals once celebrated in Aphrodite’s name.

In more poetic or literary contexts, expressions like "Aphroditean" or "Aphroditic" are used to evoke themes of beauty, romance, or sensuality.

Her name even appears in science: the genus of iridescent marine worms known as Aphrodita, particularly the dazzling sea mouse, was named for its visually striking features.

Venus, which is the Roman name for Aphrodite, has also influenced language—giving rise to terms like "venereal," which originally referred to diseases linked to Venus and now describes sexually transmitted infections.

 

Old Shadows Dancing in Modern Light

Aphrodite is still on her throne. She still rules in our modern, corrupt, secular world. Her throne has been firmly placed at the highest point of secular thought and conduct. In music, arts, entertainment, and even education, she has taken her seat, whispering her doctrine of sexual immorality to all and sundry.

In today's world, love-themed music often includes sexually explicit content, frequently objectifying women. Commercial advertisements rely on the portrayal of scantily clad women to attract viewers. To capture attention and entertain their audience, artists are expected to dress in sexually provocative ways or surround themselves with women dressed similarly during performances.

A French philosopher, Alain Badiou, published an insightful book entitled, ‘In Praise of Love’ in 2012, offering a philosophical reflection on the nature of love in contemporary society.

In his book, he highlighted the two major myths plaguing the love of our modern world. The first myth is the idea that love is nothing but a sexual desire in disguise. Today, when someone tells you they love you, it's all probably just about the fulfilment of a sexual desire. Nothing more and nothing less. And in this sexual fulfilment, no faithfulness or commitment is required. It's simply a hedonistic pursuit of pleasure.

The second myth, according to Badiou, is the equation of love to the ecstasy that one enjoys in the first stage of a relationship - the honeymoon period. After this stage is over, so is love, and one simply has to move on.

 

Paul Unveils a Different Doctrine of Love - Agape

In 1 Corinthians 13, commonly known as the "Love Chapter," Paul reveals a deep and groundbreaking concept of love, one that goes beyond traditional interpretations and presents love as both divine and life-changing. He uses the word Agape, which refers to selfless, unconditional love.

Paul challenges the fleeting, self-serving notions of love, often seen as romantic attraction or affection, by presenting a love that is unconditional, sacrificial, and everlasting. He describes a love that seeks no personal benefit or recognition but is instead founded on patience, kindness, humility, and selflessness.

Paul outlines the essential qualities of this divine love:

• Patient and Kind: This love is slow to anger, thoughtful, and generous, the opposite of the selfishness and impatience often found in human relationships.
• Does Not Envy or Boast: True love does not seek to elevate itself or envy others. It is rooted in humility, prioritizing the well-being of others over personal pride or ego.
• Not Arrogant or Rude: Love does not act inappropriately or attempt to diminish others. It is considerate, respecting the dignity of every person.
• Endures and Forgives: This love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. This speaks to a love that perseveres through hardship, that holds fast through trials and challenges, and that always hopes for the best in others.

 

The Sanctity of Sex

Sexual activity is not hereby condemned. Sex is a sacred act of intimacy for both recreation and procreation within a marital union between a man and a woman.

Paul affirms in 1 Corinthians 7 that sexual relations within marriage are both right and essential. He teaches that husbands and wives should not withhold themselves from one another, recognizing that mutual consent and shared satisfaction are important.

By teaching that both the husband and the wife have equal authority over each other’s bodies, Paul upholds the idea that sex in marriage is an act of mutual respect and shared responsibility.

In this context, sex is not something casual or shameful, but a holy expression of love, designed by God to be enjoyed within the covenant of marriage.

 

Conclusion

While the world may equate love with physical attraction or pleasure, the Word of God calls believers to a higher standard. Agape love, as described in 1 Corinthians 13, is patient, kind, does not envy, does not boast, not proud, not rude, not self-seeking, not easily angered, keeps no records of wrongs, does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth, always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres, and never fails.

It goes beyond feelings or physical expression and reflects the very nature of God. Where popular culture celebrates love as indulgence, the Bible redefines it as commitment and character. We are reminded as believers today that true love is not about taking, but giving; not about satisfying desires, but about serving others with humility, faithfulness, and enduring commitment.