2321. Theophilos

Strong's Lexicon

Theophilos: Theophilus

Original Word: Θεόφιλος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: Theophilos
Pronunciation: theh-OH-fee-los
Phonetic Spelling: (theh-of'-il-os)
Definition: Theophilus
Meaning: Theophilus, a friend of Luke of equestrian rank, to whom the Gospel and Acts are dedicated.

Word Origin: Derived from two Greek words: θεός (theos), meaning "God," and φίλος (philos), meaning "friend" or "loved one."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There are no direct Hebrew equivalents for the name Theophilus, as it is a Greek name. However, the concept of being a "friend of God" can be related to Hebrew names like Jedidiah (יְדִידְיָה), which means "beloved of the LORD."

Usage: The name Theophilus means "friend of God" or "loved by God." It is used as a proper noun in the New Testament, specifically as the addressee of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. Theophilus is thought to be a person of high status or a patron who supported Luke's writings.

Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, it was common for authors to dedicate their works to patrons or individuals of influence who supported their endeavors. Theophilus may have been a real person, possibly a Roman official or a wealthy individual, who had an interest in the Christian faith. The use of the title "most excellent" in Luke 1:3 suggests a person of rank or social standing.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from theos and philos
Definition
"friend of God," Theophilus, the addressee of Luke and Acts
NASB Translation
Theophilus (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2321: Θεόφιλος

Θεόφιλος, Θεοφιλου (Θεός and φίλος), Theophilus, a Christian to whom Luke inscribed his Gospel and Acts of the Apostles: Luke 1:3; Acts 1:1. The conjectures concerning his family, rank, nationality, are reviewed by (among others) Winer's RWB, under the word; Bleek on Luke 1:3; (B. D., under the word); see also under κράτιστος.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Theophilus.

From theos and philos; friend of God; Theophilus, a Christian -- Theophilus.

see GREEK theos

see GREEK philos

Forms and Transliterations

Θεοφιλε Θεόφιλε θεράπαινα θεράπαιναι θεράπαιναί θεραπαίναις θεραπαίνης Theophile Theóphile

Englishman's Concordance

Luke 1:3 N-VMS
GRK: γράψαι κράτιστε Θεόφιλε
NAS: most excellent Theophilus;
KJV: in order, most excellent Theophilus,
INT: to write most excellent Theophilus

Acts 1:1 N-VMS
GRK: πάντων ὦ Θεόφιλε ὧν ἤρξατο
NAS: I composed, Theophilus, about
KJV: have I made, O Theophilus, of all
INT: all things O Theophilus which began

Strong's Greek 2321
2 Occurrences

Θεόφιλε — 2 Occ.