Exactly, agape (in its various forms, as Greek is an inflected language) means to love someone in the highest, most selfless way possible.
And more. As shown by Strong's explanation of g25 "agapo," its use in the scriptures I quoted, plus John 21:20, would denote "
to be fond of, to love dearly." See post 24
And the reason these definitions are more appropriate rather than "
love someone in the highest, most selfless way possible" is the context in which they occur.
The disciples were Jesus' closest followers and became the primary teachers of his message, and if anyone would be deserving of his "highest, most selfless love" it would be these twelve: each was the object of Jesus' "highest, most selfless love." HOWEVER, there was one disciple who Jesus singled out for his "love." A disciple Jesus "
loved very much." And because Jesus' "highest, most selfless love," was bestowed on the other eleven, this love Jesus had for one disciple in particular must have been different. But what kind of different love would this be? A love so different it was deemed necessary to make note of it in four different verses? This was no ordinary agape love: goodwill, benevolence, and selfless love. It goes far beyond that. As noted in John 21:7 and 22 it was a love best described as "very much."
So, using Strong's explanation of "agapo" its usage indicates Jesus was very fond of the disciple, Even loving him dearly.
Of course, being a homosexual doesn't mean Jesus necessarily had homosexual relations with this disciple, but the verses below do indicate a singular preferential love for him. And because Jesus is never mentioned having any such love for a woman, it's a darn good indicator this was same-sex love; homosexual love.
This was one person Jesus had singled out for a different kind of love than the love he had for the other eleven disciples. A very important love to Jesus. Why else mention it, and mention it four times?
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John 13:23
23One of his disciples—the one whom Jesus loved—was reclining next to him;
John 19:26
26When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.”
John 21:7
7The follower Jesus loved very much said to Peter, “That man is the Lord!” When Peter heard him say it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around himself (for he was naked). Then he jumped into the water.
John 21:20
20 Peter turned and saw the follower Jesus loved very much walking behind them. (This was the follower who had leaned against Jesus at the supper and said, “Lord, who is it that will hand you over?”)
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Jesus' love for Saint John was that of agape, which is never used to describe sexual affection which is eros. So what exactly are you trying to prove? Nothing in that definition helps your case.
I don't believe the writers were under any
obligation to use a word that necessarily described sexual affection. Just as no one is
obligated to described any two people in love as having sexual affection for each other even though they do. One can simply say they were in love with each other. They "loved each other much."
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