Agape in the New Testament, Volume 1: Agape in the Synoptic Gospels by French biblical scholar Ceslas Spicq provides a comprehensive exegesis of love in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Agape is an active and effective love operating with a singular tenderness. The Sermon on the Mount stressed its heroic forms of patience and of gentleness. The parable of the Good Samaritan shows it to be attentive and tender, truly compassionate. . . . In the Gospel, to love means to give, to give oneself, to belong to another-to belong to God in obedience and consecration, to belong to neighbor in service and compassion.