Before Valentine’s Day became romantic… it was radical.
In this special episode of That ZellUs Life, we uncover the historical and spiritual depth behind St. Valentine, the persecution under Nero, and the true context of 1 Corinthians 13.
The “love chapter” wasn’t written for weddings.
It was written in the shadow of martyrdom.
As the Roman Empire executed believers and burned Christians alive, the Apostle Paul wrote:
“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
This is not eros.
This is not sentimental affection.
This is agape — self-giving, sacrificial, empire-defying love.
In this episode, we explore:
• The real meaning of agape
• The difference between eros, amore, and biblical love
• Nero’s persecution of the early church
• Why Paul and Valentine were both beheaded
• How martyrdom fueled the expansion of Christianity
• What it means to grow up spiritually and pursue the “more excellent way”
Rome feared this kind of love — because it could not conquer it.
This Valentine’s Day, we are reclaiming the power of agape and asking the Holy Spirit to examine our lives:
Are we chasing gifts… or pursuing love?
Listen in and rediscover the love that conquered an empire.
New episodes weekly from Christ Culture International.
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