Lexicon philagathos: Lover of good, loving what is good Original Word: φιλάγαθος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance love of good From philos and agathos; fond to good, i.e. A promoter of virtue -- love of good men. see GREEK philos see GREEK agathos HELPS Word-studies 5358 philágathos (from 5384 /phílos, "a friend" and 18 /agathós, "inherently good") – properly, personal affection for what is intrinsically good, referring to "a lover (friend) of what God loves." 5358 /philágathos ("a lover of God's good") only occurs in Tit 1:8 where it is listed as an essential quality for the elder-overseer. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom philos and agathos Definition loving that which is good NASB Translation loving what (1), loving what is good (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5358: φιλάγαθοςφιλάγαθος, φιλάγαθον (from φίλος and ἀγαθός), loving goodness: Titus 1:8. (Sap. vii. 22; Plutarch, praec. conjug. c. 17; also compound Thes. c. Rom c. 2; (φιλάγαθος οὐ φίλαυτος, Aristotle, magn. mor. ii. 14, p. 1212b 18; Polybius 6, 53, 9; Philo de vit. Moys. ii., § 2).) Topical Lexicon Word Origin: Derived from two Greek words: φίλος (philos), meaning "loving" or "fond of," and ἀγαθός (agathos), meaning "good."Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for φιλάγαθος, the concept of loving goodness can be related to Hebrew terms such as טוֹב (tov, Strong's Hebrew 2896), meaning "good," and חֶסֶד (chesed, Strong's Hebrew 2617), often translated as "lovingkindness" or "steadfast love." These terms reflect the Old Testament emphasis on moral goodness and covenantal love, which are foundational to the biblical understanding of virtuous living. Usage: The word φιλάγαθος is used in the New Testament to describe a characteristic of a person, particularly in the context of Christian leadership and moral character. It appears in the Pastoral Epistles, emphasizing the importance of virtuous qualities. Context: The term φιλάγαθος is found in the New Testament in Titus 1:8, where it is listed as one of the qualifications for an overseer or elder in the church. The verse reads: "Instead, he must be hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined." (BSB) This passage highlights the importance of moral integrity and a love for what is good as essential qualities for those in positions of spiritual leadership. The concept of φιλάγαθος aligns with the broader biblical theme of pursuing righteousness and embodying the virtues that reflect God's character. In the context of the early church, leaders were expected to model these virtues to guide and nurture the community in faith and practice. The love of goodness is not merely an abstract appreciation but is demonstrated through actions and decisions that promote the welfare and moral growth of others. Forms and Transliterations φιλαγαθον φιλάγαθον philagathon philágathonLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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