We will then begin the year next week with a step by step - verse by verse study of what it means to rightly divide the word of truth by following Paul's teachings - and how to present them to others (and learn them ourselves!)

• Verses 15-17 - Agape / Phileo false teaching supposedly proving the deeper meaning behind knowing Greek, etc. showing that Peter didn't love Jesus with an 'agape' love and that Jesus finally gave in and accepted Peter's 'Phileo' love.
• Quoted study/test from Dr. Samuel Gipp
• For online readers, click here for the online version of this subject and the test from Dr. Gipp, etc.
• I have noticed a few other online teachings, etc. are all still taken from Dr. Gipp's original test - all are good studies on this subject.
• Note that in the Tribulation, the people will have to have that supposed 'agape' love - their salvation depends on it!
• I John 3:11-19
• Many Christians have been taught the STANDARD LIE about the two Greek words Agape and Phileo for the English word ‘Love.’
• According to these Greek scholars:
• Agape means a deep (intimate selfless love).
• Phileo is a (casual friendly kind of love).
• The Greek scholarly teaching suggests that we are handicapped in understanding our King James Bible as we are stuck with a mere English translation.
• The reason being that we have only one word for ‘love’ but the Greek had two ‘agape’ {deep intimate selfless love} and ‘phileo’ {a friendly casual love}.

• In John 21 they say that there are three passages that teach one kind of love from another.
• John 21:15-17 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. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
• The Lord Jesus actually says to Simon Peter " Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?
• What the Greek scholars say the Lord asks Simon – do you love me or do you agape me [With a deep, intimate, selfless love] He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.
• Instead of Simon Peter replying - yes Lord I love you, I (agape) you {a selfless deep heart felt love}, he says yes, well, I love you as a friend I (phileo) you.
• The Lord says do you (agape) me? Simon Peter replies I (Phileo) you, I do not love you with (agape) deep selfless love.
• In verse 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He gives Simon Peter a chance to get it right; so He knows Simon (Phileo's) me but do you (agape) me – do you love me with that deep intimate  selfless heart felt love?
• Simon Peter returns in verse 16 - Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.
• Simon could not bring himself to say I (agape) you with this deep heart felt love. Once again he says – I love you like a friend - By this time the Lord is broken hearted and after two tries he gives up and condescends to Simon’s position.
• In verse 17 . He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?
• When the Lord speaks to Simon that time instead of saying – do you (agape) me, do you love me with that deep heart felt selfless love?
• He says do you (Phileo) me? Do you love me as a friend?
• Simon supposedly was grieved because he saw the change that the Lord had made and it grieved him that he could not tell the Lord that he loved him with (agape) love.
• So because he was grieved, in verse 17 Simon Peter says – “thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.”  The scholars say he responds with "Yes I do love you (Phileo) love."
• So the Lord used (agape) twice and the third time he said do you (phileo) me.
• In all three times Simon Peter answered it with phileo.

• Our false teacher then points out to his audience that there is no way to attain such depth of meaning from this passage using only the feeble English.
• Once more the trusty "Greek" has enlightened us, English can never do!
• Above is not even an attack on the King James Bible.
• They are trying to prove that not only do you need  another translation, but you are IN NEED of the Greek language, you NEED somebody that knows Greek!

This presentation is tremendously effective and has only ONE flaw.
The definitions given for "agape" and "phileo" are TOTALLY UNTRUE!
• If you have been steeped in the false teaching of "agape" and "phileo" by your college professor or pastor, you will immediately (and with much prejudice) reject my supposition. ("How could such godly men be wrong?" Right?)
• Yet, I will not attempt to prove it is true.

• The proof will come from Jesus Christ, Paul, Peter and John, and any other New Testament writer that I could have chosen for the comparison. But wait! They are not my final witnesses. The final and most weighty argument will be waged by YOU!
• IF you have the courage and IF you can be honest with God and yourself, feel free to take the Test below.
• Here is a careful and honest study of the way in which "agape" and "phileo" are used in the Bible ("Our final authority in all matters of faith and practice) by Jesus Christ Himself and the New Testament writers. The statement is this:
• There was absolutely NO DIFFERENCE in New Testament times between "agape" and "phileo" and that BOTH are used interchangeably by Jesus Christ and the writers of the New Testament. REGARDLESS of what Greek grammars, Greek teachers and Greek preachers may say!

• If you have been steeped in the false teaching of "agape" and "phileo" by your college professor or pastor, you will immediately (and with much prejudice) reject my supposition.
• Yet, I myself will not attempt to prove it is true.
• The proof will come from Jesus Christ, Paul, Peter and John, and any other New Testament writer that I could have chosen for the comparison.
• But wait! They are not my final witnesses.
• The final and most weighty argument will be waged by YOU!

• For years I have been giving a test in Bible Conferences in which I speak concerning this false teaching of "agape" and "phileo". A copy of this test is reproduced below.
• Part #I, I have reproduced quotes from the New Testament which were made by Jesus Christ using "agape" and "phileo". Without looking at a Greek New Testament or Concordance or any other help, use the false rules for "agape" and "phileo" given by critics of the English Bible.
• Read the quote. Decide whether Jesus is referring to "agape" love (deep, intimate, selfless love) or "phileo" love (casual, friendly love).  Then put an "A" for agape or "P"" for phileo in the blank before the quote.
• Part #II is identical to part #I except that the quotes are taken from various New Testament writers.
• Do the same as in part one, putting an "A" for agape and a "P" for phileo, using only the critics definition of these words. No guessing, no hunches. Use only their own rule & definitions.

INSTRUCTIONS:

    1. Read the complete Bible quote in your Bible.
    2. Put an A or P in the blank before the quote to signify your choice of the Greek word used, AGAPE or PHILEO.
    3.  The 'scholarly' answer is in (  ) at the end of each verse.

DEFINITIONS:

• AGAPE love: Deep, intimate, selfless love.
• PHILEO love: Casual "friendly" love.


I - Comparison: How Jesus used AGAPE and PHILEO.
 

____ 1. Luke 11:42 ...the love of God (A)

____ 2. John 5:42 ...the love of God (A)

____ 3. Matthew 10:37 ...He that loveth father or mother (P)

____ 4. Revelation 3:9 ...to know that I have loved (A)

____ 5. Revelation 3:19 ...As many as I love (P)  (also see Hebrews 12:6 - (A)

____ 6. Matthew 23:6 ...love the uppermost rooms (P) Read 1-12

____ 7. John 12:25 ...He that loveth his life (P)

____ 8. Luke 11:43 ...ye love the uppermost seats (A) Also see Luke 20:46 (P)

____ 9. John 5:20 ...the Father loveth the Son (P) See 20-22; Titus 3:15(P)

____10. John 16:27 ...the Father Himself loveth you, because ye have loved me (P)


II - Comparison: How other New Testament writers used AGAPE and PHILEO.
 

____ 1. II Timothy 3:4 ...lovers of pleasures more than of God (P)

____ 2. John 11:5 ...Jesus loved Martha, (A)

____ 3. John 20:2 ...the other disciples whom Jesus loved (P)

____ 4. I Corinthians 16:22 ...If any man love not the Lord (P)

____ 5. Romans 5:8 ...But God commendeth his love (A)

____ 6. I Corinthians 16:24 ...My love be with you all (A)

____ 7. II Timothy 1:7 ...of power, and of love, and... (A)

____ 8. Romans 12: 10 ...one to another with brotherly love(P)

____ 9. II Thessalonians 3:12 ...abound in love one toward another (A)

____10. Titus 2:4 ...women to be sober, to love their husbands (P)

____11. Ephesians 5:28 ...So ought men to love their wives (A)

____12. I Peter 2:17 ...Love the brotherhood (A)

____13. Hebrews 13:1 ...Let brotherly love continue (P)

____14. Titus 3:4 ...and love of God our Saviour (P)

____15. I John 2:5 ...in him verily is the love of God perfected (A)

• If you have taken the test and if you have been honest, you have found:
• that the TRUTH of the matter is that neither Jesus nor any of the New Testament writers acknowledged the false rule & definitions foisted on us by heady and high-minded Bible critics.
• Thus we see that this little "nugget" is made only of "FOOL'S GOLD" and has never really existed except in the deluded minds of men.
• I Timothy 6:3-5: If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
• Who will you believe?
• Jesus Christ & Paul and the King James Bible?
• I Corinthians 13:10 -  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
• II Timothy 2:15,16
• II Timothy 3:16,17
• etc.
• or your Greek professor?
• II Timothy 3:13 - But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
• II Corinthians 11:15 - Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
• II Timothy 3:7,8 - Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.