The Greek New Testament does not use Eros. Hebrew has a word translated Eros twice in the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament). Proverbs 7:18 and Proverbs 30:16 use Eros, where it translates the Hebrew dodim (meaning caresses, love-making).
Eros in the Bible
Eros, in Greek writings, gives us the concepts of eroticism, where sexual desire is paramount, and erogenous areas that stimulate sexual desire. In the Bible, however, that form of passionate expression is related to sinful sexuality. However, it has two uses in Proverbs. Proverbs 7:18 expresses the temptation of a harlot to bring a man to her bed. Proverbs 7:18 uses the image of a woman with a barren womb who uses her sexual passion to alleviate that barrenness.
We can understand Eros in this context after the fall of Adam. Christianity didn’t debase Eros; the fall of Adam and Eve from grace into sin did. Eros didn’t die. It was corrupted into self-serving passion and lust.
One common way to differentiate Eros from Agape (Godly love) is that while Agape imparts worth to the other, Eros takes the worth from another to fulfill its passion. Eros takes, while Agape gives.
Can Eros Be Redeemed?
C.S. Lewis, in his book The Four Loves, sees Eros as redeemable but dangerous. He admits that Eros could be a magnificent, divine gift that brings out the best in us, where our passion is noble and honorable. However, he also admits that Eros is inherently dangerous unless controlled by Agape, a challenging task. It easily becomes a “god” that devolves into a “demon”.
Maybe that is why the Bible does not use Eros, especially in the New Testament. It is a dangerous fire that easily consumes the redeemed who try to express it even in its unfallen state. It is not worth the risk.
