φιλέω

φιλέω impf. ἐφίλουν; fut. φιλήσω SSol 8:1; 1 aor. ἐφίλησα; pf. πεφίληκα (Hom.+; ins, pap, LXX, pseudepigr., Philo, Joseph.; Ar. 15, 4; Just., D. 27, 2 and 82, 4 [both φιλοῦντες—φ. is usual word in earlier Gk., but gradually loses ground to ἀγαπάω, esp. in the Koine—for ἀγαπῶντες Is 1:23]; Mel., P. 38, 266).

① to have a special interest in someone or someth., freq. with focus on close association, have affection for, like, consider someone a friend

ⓐ w. acc. of pers.: relatives (X., Mem. 2, 7, 9) Mt 10:37ab (on this pass. TArvedson, SEÅ 5, ’40, 74–82). Exceptional disciples IPol 2:1. Paul speaks of those who love him in (the) faith Tit 3:15 (on the greeting here s. UWilcken, APF 6, 1920, 379; Sb 7253, 18–20 [296 A.D.] ἀσπάζομαι τοὺς φιλοῦντας ἡμᾶς κατʼ ὄνομα). The world loves those who belong to it J 15:19. Jesus’ disciples love him J 16:27b; 21:15–17 (some think that here φ. seems to be = ἀγαπάω, q.v. 1aβ, w. the lit. there, pro and con, but a more intimate relationship may be implied; one can extend ‘love’ in general, but close friendship is limited; cp. Aristot., EN 8; Cass. Dio 44, 48; s. lit. φίλος 2b); so do all true Christians 1 Cor 16:22 (CSpicq, NovT 1, ’56, 200–204). Christ also loves certain persons Rv 3:19; Lazarus (JLeal, VD 21, ’41, 59–64) J 11:3, 36; the beloved disciple 20:2. God loves the Son 5:20 and his disciples 16:27a (φ. of the love of a deity, Simonides, Fgm. 4, 12 οὓς ἂν οἱ θεοὶ φιλέωσιν [i.e. τ. ἀγαθούς]; Dio Chrys. 80 [30], 26; Biogr. p. 92; SibOr 3, 711). A directive to Christians: φιλεῖτε τοὺς μισοῦντας ὑμᾶς D 1, 3. θεὸς … φιλούμενος και παρακαλούμενος ἀκούει God heeds when called upon as a friend (Ox 849, 25–27; cp. AcPt [Aa I 73, 26]).—SRoads, A Study of φιλεῖν and ἀγαπᾶν in the NT: Review and Expositor 10, 1913, 531–33; CHogg, Note on ἀγαπ. and φιλέω: ET 38, 1927, 379f; BWarfield, The Terminology of Love in the NT: PTR 16, 1918, 1–45; 153–203; FNormann, diss. Münster, ’52; MPaeslack, Theologia Viatorum 5, ’53, 51–142; MLattke, Einheit im Wort ’75. S. the lit. s.v. ἀγάπη 1, end.

ⓑ w. acc. of thing (Hom. et al.; Wsd 8:2; ApcSed 11:4; AscIs 3:25; Just., Mel.) τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ J 12:25 (Tyrtaeus 7, 18 Diehl³ warns about φιλοψυχεῖν). Place of honor Mt 23:6.—Lk 20:46; Rv 22:15 (cp. Pr 29:3).

ⓒ W. inf. foll. like or love to do someth., hence do someth. often or customarily (Pind., N. 1, 12 [15]; Aeschyl., Sept. 619, Ag. 763; Soph., Aj. 989; Eur., Iph. T. 1198; Ps.-Eur., Rhes. 394; Hdt. 7, 10, 5; X., Hipparch. 7, 9; Pla., 7th Letter, 337b; Appian, Liby. 94 §442; Arrian, Anab. 3, 11, 2; Aelian, VH 14, 37; PGiss 84, 13; Is 56:10; Philo, Op. M. 103; Jos., Ant. 18, 60) φιλοῦσιν προσεύχεσθαι Mt 6:5. φιλοῦσιν καλεῖσθαι ῥαββί they like to be called ‘Rabbi’ 23:6f.

② to kiss as a special indication of affection, kiss (Aeschyl., Ag. 1540; Hdt. 1, 134; X., Cyr. 1, 4, 27; Pla., Phdr. 256a; Aristot., Prob. 30, 1, 8; Plut., Mor. 139d, Alex. 667 [6, 8]; Lucian, Ver. Hist. 1, 8; PSI 26, 13; Gen 27:26f; 29:11 al.; TestBenj 1:2; JosAs 8:3ff) τινά someone Mt 26:48; Mk 14:44; Lk 22:47; GJs 7:2.—B. 1110; 1114.—RJoly, Le vocabulaire chrétien de l’amour est-il original? φιλεῖν et ἀγαπᾶν dans le grec antique ’68. Schmidt, Syn. III 474–91. DELG s.v. φίλος. M-M. EDNT. TW. Spicq. Sv.