ἀγαπητός (agapētos)
agapētos
beloved
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 60 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective agapētos describes someone who is beloved, dear, or esteemed as a favorite. Derived from the verb for love (agapaō), it carries the sense of being worthy of affection rather than merely experiencing a fleeting emotion. In the New Testament, it appears sixty times, often serving as a primary way to describe the relationship between God and people, or among believers themselves.
This word has two distinct spheres of usage in Scripture. First, it identifies those loved by God, most notably applied to Jesus at his baptism (Matthew 3:17) and to Christians as recipients of divine grace (Romans 1:7). Second, it functions as a warm form of address among believers, such as when Paul calls the Corinthians "dearly beloved" (1 Corinthians 4:14) or urges them to stand firm in that love.
Its theological weight lies in its passive nature: the beloved are those who receive love. It stands in direct contrast to being an enemy (Romans 11:28), highlighting a status granted by grace rather than earned by merit. Translators typically render it as "beloved" or "dearly beloved," preserving the sense of cherished value that permeates early Christian letters.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word agapētos, translated as "beloved," carries a weight far heavier than ordinary affection. It describes a status granted by grace, not earned by merit. In Scripture, this term is often passive: it identifies those who receive love rather than those who generate it. When God calls Jesus His "beloved Son" at the baptism (Matthew 3:17), He establishes the ultimate identity of the One who loves us. This same language extends to believers in Romans 1:7, where Christians are described as "beloved of God." Your value does not rest on your performance but on being the recipient of divine favor.
This truth offers profound comfort when you feel inadequate or overlooked. The apostle Paul frequently used this warm address—calling communities "my beloved" (1 Corinthians 4:14)—to remind them of their secure standing in Christ. It is a reminder that your identity is rooted in being cherished by God. This assurance allows you to face life’s challenges with confidence, knowing you are held by a love that does not fluctuate with circumstances.
Living as the beloved means resting in this reality. It invites you to extend that same grace to others, recognizing that everyone around you is also seen and valued by God. This perspective transforms how you relate to your neighbors, moving from judgment to compassion. May you find peace in knowing you are deeply loved, not for what you do, but simply because you are His.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 60 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- beloved27×
- beloved,16×
- Beloved,12×
- beloved;4×
- beloved.1×
- [my] beloved1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀγαπητοί,12×
- Ἀγαπητοί,9×
- ἀγαπητὸς6×
- ἀγαπητῷ4×
- ἀγαπητόν4×
- ἀγαπητοὶ4×
- ἀγαπητός,2×
- ἀγαπητός2×
- ἀγαπητέ,2×
- ἀγαπητὰ2×
- ἀγαπητοῖς2×
- ἀγαπητοί·2×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 3:17
Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
This verse establishes the foundational identity of Jesus as the beloved Son, showing that divine pleasure rests on Him before any ministry begins.
-
Romans 1:7
to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul applies this title to all Christians in Rome, defining their primary status as recipients of God's love rather than workers earning it.
-
Romans 11:28
Concerning the Good News, they are enemies for your sake. But concerning the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sake.
This occurrence highlights the theological contrast between being an enemy for the sake of the gospel and being beloved for the sake of the patriarchs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word agapētos mean?
How is agapētos different from eros or philia?
Where does this word appear most significantly?
Does being called "beloved" mean we earn it?
Every Occurrence (60 verses across 21 books)
Matthew 3 verses
Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
Matthew 12:18“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit on him. He…
Matthew 17:5While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying,…