EROS LOVE

What is Eros Love

Eros love describes the healthy sexual attraction between a husband and wife

Eros love is the physical, sensual intimacy between a husband and wife. It expresses sexual, romantic
attraction. Eros is also the name of the mythological Greek god of love, sexual desire, physical
attraction, and physical love.

Eros Love and its Meaning in the Bible

 Eros (pronounced AIR-ohs) is a Greek term from which the English

word erotic derives.
 The passionate, healthy, physical expression of arousal and sexual love
between a husband and wife is the biblical meaning of eros love.
 The connotation of the word became so culturally degraded by the first
century that it was never once used in the New Testament.
 Eros does not appear in Old Testament writings either because they are
written in Hebrew (eros is a Greek term). But the concept of eros is clearly
expressed in Scripture.
Love has many meanings in English, but the ancient Greeks had four words to
describe different forms of love precisely: Storge, or family love; Philia, or brotherly
love; Agape, or sacrificial or unconditional love; and Eros, marital love.
Although eros does not appear in the New Testament, this Greek term for erotic love
is portrayed in the Old Testament book, The Song of Solomon.
Eros in Marriage
God is very clear in his Word that eros love is reserved for marriage. Sex outside of
marriage is forbidden. God created humans male and female and instituted marriage
in the Garden of Eden. Within marriage, sex is used for emotional and spiritual
bonding and reproduction.

The Apostle Paul noted that it is wise for people to marry to fulfill their godly desire
for intimate love:

Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as
I do. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry
than to burn with passion. ( 1 Corinthians 7:8-9, NIV)

Within the boundary of marriage, eros love is to be celebrated:

Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for
God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. (Hebrews 13:4, ESV)
Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that
you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan
may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. (1 Corinthians 7:5, ESV)

Eros love is part of God's design, a gift of his goodness for procreation and
enjoyment. Sex as God intended it is a source of delight and a beautiful blessing to
be shared between married couples:

Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a
graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in
her love. (Proverbs 5:18–19, ESV)

Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given
you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you
toil under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 9:9, ESV)

Eros in Romance
In many passages, the Song of Solomon celebrates the romantic aspects of Eros.
The concept is illustrated in poetry expressing the passionate love of King
Solomon for his new bride; and hers for him.

Oh, that he would kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is more
delightful than wine. The fragrance of your perfume is intoxicating; your name is
perfume poured out. No wonder young women adore you. Take me with you—let us
hurry. Oh, that the king would bring me to his chambers. (Song of Solomon 1:2–4,
HCSB)

Eros in Sexuality
Eros love in the Bible affirms sexuality as a part of human existence. We are sexual
beings, called to honor God with our bodies:

Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the
members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not
know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is
written, “The two will become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord becomes
one spirit with him. Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is
outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do
you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you
have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify
God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:15–20, ESV)