φιλέωphiléō
to 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 G25 (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 G2309 (θέλω) and G1014 (βούλομαι), or as G2372 (θυμός) and G3563 (νοῦς) respectively; the former being chiefly of the heart and the latter of the head); specially, to kiss (as a mark of tenderness)
Greek (New Testament) · G5368
Meanings
1. to love (with the love of emotion and friendship, Lat, amare; see SYN.): with accusative of person, Matthew 10:37, John 5:20; John 11:3, John 11:36, John 15:19, John 16:27, John 20:2, John 21:15-17, 1 Corinthians 16:22, Revelation 3:19; ἐν πίστει, Titus 3:15; with accusative of thing, Matthew 23:6, Luke 20:46, John 12:25, Revelation 22:15; with infinitive (Isaiah 56:10; cf. Bl., § 69, 4), Matthew 6:5.
2. to kiss: with accusative of person, Matthew 26:48, Mark 14:44, Luke 22:47 (cf. κατα-φιλέω).
Synonyms
ἀγαπάω ω (see that word), the love of duty and respect
Same root
- φίλοςphílos · G5384actively, fond, i.e. friendly (still as a noun, an associate, neighbor, etc.)
- ΦίλητοςPhílētos · G5372amiable; Philetus, an opposer of Christianity
- φίλημαphílēma · G5370a kiss
- προσφιλήςprosphilḗs · G4375friendly towards, i.e. acceptable
- ΦιλήμωνPhilḗmōn · G5371friendly; Philemon, a Christian
Where it appears
Appears 25 times in the Bible.
- Matthew 6:5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get.
- Matthew 10:37 “If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine.
- Matthew 23:6 And they love to sit at the head table at banquets and in the seats of honor in the synagogues.
- Matthew 26:48 The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss.”
- Mark 14:44 The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss. Then you can take him away under guard.”
- Luke 20:46 “Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets.
Source: G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), public domain.