φιλέω

philéō /fil-eh'-o/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom φίλος
Meaningto be a friend to (fond of (an individual or an object)), i.e. have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling; while ἀγαπάω is wider, embracing especially the judgment and the deliberate assent of the will as a matter of principle, duty and propriety: the two thus stand related very much as θέλω and βούλομαι, or as θυμός and νοῦς respectively; the former being chiefly of the heart and the latter of the head); specially, to kiss (as a mark of tenderness)
KJV usagekiss, love.
Copy as

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word philéō, represented by G5368, describes a love of personal affection and fondness. It appears 25 times across 21 unique verses and denotes personal attachment based on sentiment or feeling, distinguishing it from ἀγαπάω (agapáō), which is often broader and based on will and principle. In its simplest form, G5368 means to be a friend to someone or something, and can also be used specially to mean to kiss as a mark of tenderness.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G5368 is used in several distinct contexts. It is famously used by Peter in his exchange with Jesus after the resurrection. When Jesus asks Peter if he loves him, Peter responds, "thou knowest that I love thee" John 21:15-17, using G5368 to express a deep, personal affection. The term is also used to describe the Father's affection for the Son John 5:20 and for believers John 16:27. Conversely, it can describe misplaced affection, such as hypocrites who love to pray publicly for recognition Matthew 6:5 or those who love their life in this world at the expense of eternal life John 12:25. The word is also used for the physical act of a kiss, tragically highlighted when Judas uses a kiss to betray Jesus Matthew 26:48.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning and application of G5368:

  • G25 agapáō (to love): This word is often contrasted with G5368. While G5368 denotes affection, agapáō can imply a love of volition and principle. This distinction is seen in the dialogue where Jesus first asks Peter if he loves (G25) him, and Peter replies with his affection (G5368) John 21:15.
  • G3404 miséō (to detest; by extension, to love less): This is a direct antonym. Scripture warns that the world, which would love its own, instead hateth believers because they have been chosen out of the world John 15:19.
  • G1651 elénchō (to confute, admonish): Divine love is connected to correction. The Lord states that as many as He loves (G5368), He also rebukes Revelation 3:19.
  • G3811 paideúō (to train up a child... discipline): This word is paired with elénchō to show that God's affectionate love (G5368) includes discipline, as He chastens those He loves Revelation 3:19.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G5368 lies in its portrayal of a personal and relational love.

  • Divine Affection: G5368 reveals a tender aspect of God's character. It is the love the Father has for the Son John 5:20 and the affection He extends to believers because they have loved Christ John 16:27.
  • A Call to Proper Allegiance: The word is used to test the focus of one's devotion. One cannot be worthy of Christ if he loveth father or mother more than Him Matthew 10:37. Similarly, one must not love a lie, a practice of those outside the city of God Revelation 22:15.
  • Love as Corrective Discipline: This love is not passive. God's fatherly affection is the motivation for His discipline. He rebukes and chastens those He loves to bring them to repentance Revelation 3:19.

Summary

In summary, G5368 provides a nuanced understanding of love as personal affection and friendship. It captures the warmth of Peter's devotion, the tenderness of the Father's love, and even the corrupted tenderness of a betrayer's kiss. It serves as both an expression of godly relationship and a warning against misplacing our deepest affections, showing that this heartfelt love is a powerful force for both relationship and correction in the life of a believer.

Grammatical Forms

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 25 occurrences, inflected in 12 grammatical forms.

  • Present Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 4×
  • Imperfect Active Indicative 3rd Singular 3×
  • Present Active Indicative 1st Singular 3×
  • Present Active Indicative 2nd Singular 3×
  • Present Active Indicative 3rd Singular 3×
  • Aorist Active Subjunctive 1st Singular 2×
  • Present Active Indicative 3rd Plural 2×
  • Aorist Active Infinitive 1×
  • Perfect Active Indicative 2nd Plural 1×
  • Present Active Participle Accusative Plural Masculine 1×
  • Present Active Participle Genitive Plural Masculine 1×
  • Present Active Subjunctive 1st Singular 1×
Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Genitive
Possession or source — often "of".
Accusative
The direct object of the verb.
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present
Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Aorist
Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Active
The subject performs the action.
Indicative
A plain statement of fact.
Subjunctive
Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 21 verses across 7 books. Most frequent in John (10 verses).

4
Matthew
1
Mark
2
Luke
10
John
1
1 Corinthians
1
Titus
2
Revelation

Verse Explorer

Select a verse to begin.