agape is love shown in patient, constructive conduct, mutual care, and the love God gives and displays.

The supplied verses show love as a relational quality expressed in conduct toward others—patient, kind, constructive, and pursued—and as the love attributed to God, received from God, and made known in God's sending and giving.

1. Relational love expressed in conduct and belonging · dominant

   The nominative singular ἀγάπη is described by actions and qualities in 1 Corinthians 13:4, where the APB renders it as patient, kind, and not envious or boastful; in 1 Corinthians 8:1, the clause contrasts knowledge that inflates with love that builds up. Accusative and dative singular forms occur where love is to be pursued or to characterize action toward others: in 1 Corinthians 14:1 the APB renders “Pursue love,” and in 1 Corinthians 16:14, “Let everything you do be done in love.” The same noun also identifies the love given and displayed by God in 1 John 3:1 and 1 John 4:9, and love is known through laying down one's life for brothers in 1 John 3:16.

   1 Corinthians 13:41 Corinthians 8:11 Corinthians 14:11 Corinthians 16:141 John 3:11 John 3:16

In the Anselm Project Bible: Across the supplied verses, the APB regularly uses “love” in clauses about possession, pursuit, mutual action, and God's action; it also uses “affection” in 1 John 3:17. These English expressions confirm the clauses' overall presentation rather than supplying separate definitions.