Christ refers to the first love of the Ephesians as protos agape, emphasizing that this love is more than mere affection; it is an active expression. This protos love, as highlighted in Revelation 2:4-5, reflects the initial, fervent devotion the Ephesians once had, which Christ urges them to recall and reclaim through sincere self-examination and repentance. He contrasts their current mechanical efforts with the passionate, God-centered zeal of their early faith, encouraging them to return to the first works motivated by this protos agape. Such love drives genuine good works, performed out of a zealous desire to serve God and others without selfish motives, ensuring that the actions are pleasing to both God and the recipient.

In His letter to the Ephesian church, Christ rebuked them for leaving their first love, as recorded in Revelation 2:4. The Greek phrase used here is protos agape, which translates to the foremost or first love. This concept aligns with Christ's teaching in Matthew 22:36-38, where He declares that the first and great commandment is to love God unconditionally, establishing it as our primary responsibility. This unconditional love for God enables us to love His law and one another. The decline in the Ephesian church's spiritual condition, marked by disputes and division, contributed to the waning of this initial fervent love, prompting Christ's admonition.

In Revelation 2:4, the phrase "first love" is central to the admonition given to the church at Ephesus. The Greek word for "first" is protos (Strong's 4413), which carries the meaning of foremost, beginning, best, or chief. While it is commonly translated as "first," its deeper significance lies in indicating something of primary importance. Thus, the "first love" that the Ephesians have abandoned is their most important love, the highest duty to God. This love is the foundation from which all other actions, thoughts, and zeal must flow, and losing sight of it risks losing everything.