As mentioned last time, the Greek language of the King James Version of the New Testament is far more descriptive than our every day corresponding English words.

In this article I am sharing the thinking of Dr. Ed Wheat, M.D. author of “Love Life for Every Married Couple.” His explanations, however, go beyond marriage and in most instances apply also to other family and friendship levels of relationships.

Epithumia:  A strong desire of any kind – sometimes good, sometimes bad. It means to set the heart on; long for rightly or otherwise:  or it can mean to covet. When used in a positive way it is translated desire. Desire can be experienced in marriage and between family members and friends. Desire does not always express sexual motives.

Eros:  The love that more than any other kind, carries with it the idea of romance. Eros is not always sensual, but it includes the idea of yearning to unite with and the desire to possess the beloved. Eros is romantic, passionate and sentimental. It is often the starting point of many marriages.

Eros, however, has a problem. It is changeable and cannot last a lifetime all by itself. Eros carries the promise the relationship will last forever.

Here a line must be drawn between infatuation and true romantic love to qualify for God’s design for marriage.

Infatuation is an emotional and fleshly desire to false impressions toward external appearances. By contrast, genuinely “falling in love” is a spiritual, mental, emotional and physical response to the actual character and total being of another who embodies attributes long sought, desired and admired.

More than any other kind of love, eros has the potential to transform a mundane existence into a glorious, vibrant, lasting relationship.

Next time:  Two of the Five Ways of Showing Love