### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun φιλία (G5373), transliterated as *philía*, derives from the root φίλος (philos, `{{G5384}}`), meaning "friend" or "dear one." At its core, φιλία signifies fondness, affection, or friendship. It denotes a bond of mutual regard, companionship, and shared interests, distinct from ἔρως (erotic love) and often contrasted with ἀγάπη (agape, `{{G26}}`), which represents a divine, unconditional, and self-sacrificial love. While φιλία generally implies positive human relationships, its semantic range can also encompass a sense of partiality or worldly attachment, particularly when directed towards objects or systems that compete with divine allegiance.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term φιλία (G5373) appears only once in the New Testament, specifically in [[James 4:4]]. In this pivotal verse, it is used twice within the phrase "friendship with the world" (φιλία τοῦ κόσμου). The context is a stern warning against spiritual compromise: "You adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."
Here, φιλία takes on a decidedly negative connotation. It does not refer to casual association but to a deep-seated affection, loyalty, and alignment with the values, systems, and desires of the fallen world (κόσμος, `{{G2889}}`). This "friendship" is presented as spiritual adultery, a betrayal of one's covenant relationship with God. It signifies a misplaced devotion that directly opposes and establishes hostility towards God. The singular, forceful use of φιλία in this context highlights the profound danger of allowing worldly attachments to supersede one's commitment to Christ.
### Related Words & Concepts
* φίλος (philos, `{{G5384}}`): The foundational noun from which φιλία is derived, meaning "friend." This word is used extensively in the New Testament, often in a positive sense, such as Jesus calling His disciples "friends" ([[John 15:13-15]]).
* φιλέω (phileo, `{{G5368}}`): The verb form, meaning "to love," "to be fond of," "to kiss." It expresses personal affection, often reciprocal, as seen in the dialogue between Jesus and Peter in [[John 21:15-17]], where it is contrasted with ἀγαπάω (agapao, `{{G25}}`).
* ἀγάπη (agape, `{{G26}}`): This is the predominant word for "love" in the New Testament, denoting a selfless, divine, and unconditional love. The New Testament's preference for ἀγάπη over φιλία when describing God's love for humanity, Christ's love for the Church, and the love believers are to have for one another, is significant. While φιλία can be based on shared interests or emotional connection, ἀγάπη is volitional, principle-based, and seeks the highest good of the beloved.
* κόσμος (kosmos, `{{G2889}}`): "World," often referring to the fallen human system alienated from God. The "friendship" with this κόσμος is the specific danger highlighted in [[James 4:4]].
### Theological Significance
The solitary and negative use of φιλία in [[James 4:4]] carries profound theological weight. It serves as a stark warning against spiritual dualism and divided loyalties. The New Testament consistently presents God as demanding exclusive devotion, and φιλία directed towards "the world" is depicted as a direct affront to this divine expectation. This "friendship" is not merely a casual inclination but a deep-seated affection that competes with, and ultimately undermines, one's relationship with the Creator.
The passage in James underscores the incompatibility of genuine faith with a love for worldly values and pursuits. It challenges believers to examine their affections and allegiances, making it clear that a heart divided between God and the world is in a state of spiritual enmity. The absence of φιλία in positive descriptions of divine-human love or intra-Christian love (where ἀγάπη is consistently used) further emphasizes that the New Testament prioritizes a higher, self-sacrificial, and God-centered form of love over the more reciprocal or emotionally driven φιλία, especially when the latter is misdirected.
### Summary
φιλία (G5373) denotes fondness or friendship, derived from the Greek word for "friend." Its singular explicit occurrence in the New Testament is in [[James 4:4]], where "friendship with the world" is condemned as "enmity with God." This specific usage highlights a critical theological concept: misplaced affection and loyalty towards the fallen world system constitute a spiritual betrayal of God. Unlike ἀγάπη (divine, unconditional love), φιλία in this context represents a dangerous attachment that compromises one's devotion to God. The word serves as a potent reminder of the exclusive allegiance God demands from His people, urging believers to guard against any worldly affection that would compete with their supreme love for Him.
TRV