5360. philadelphia

Lexicon

philadelphia: Brotherly love, love of brothers

Original Word: φιλαδελφία
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: philadelphia
Pronunciation: fee-lah-del-FEE-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (fil-ad-el-fee'-ah)
Definition: Brotherly love, love of brothers
Meaning: brotherly love, love of Christian brethren.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

brotherly love, kindness

From philadelphos; fraternal affection -- brotherly love (kindness), love of the brethren.

see GREEK philadelphos

HELPS Word-studies

5360 philadelphía (from 5384 /phílos, "loving friend" and 80 /adelphós, "a brother") – properly, affection for the brethren (fellow-believers).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from philadelphos
Definition
the love of brothers, brotherly love
NASB Translation
brotherly kindness (2), brotherly love (1), love of the brethren (3).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 5360: φιλαδελφία

φιλαδελφία, φιλαδελφίας, ἡ (φιλάδελφος), the love of brothers (or sisters), brotherly love (properly, 4 Macc. 13:22; 14:1; (Philo, leg. ad Gaium § 12); Josephus, Antiquities 4, 2, 4; Lucian, dial. deor. 26, 2; Plutarch, libell. περί φιλαδελφίας; (cf. Babrius 47, 15)); in the N. T. "the love which Christians cherish for each other as 'brethren'" (see ἀδελφός, 4); (love of the brethren) (Vulg.caritas or amor fraternitatis): Romans 12:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; Hebrews 13:1; 1 Peter 1:22; 2 Peter 1:7, cf. 1 John 5:1.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from φίλος (philos, meaning "beloved" or "dear") and ἀδελφός (adelphos, meaning "brother").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for φιλαδελφία, the concept of brotherly love can be related to the Hebrew word אַח (ach, Strong's 251), meaning "brother," and the broader concept of love, as expressed in the Hebrew word אַהֲבָה (ahavah, Strong's 160), meaning "love." These terms collectively convey the idea of familial affection and love within the community of faith.

Usage: The term φιλαδελφία is used in the New Testament to describe the affectionate love and mutual care that believers are to have for one another, reflecting the familial bond among members of the Christian community.

Context: The concept of φιλαδελφία is central to the ethical teachings of the New Testament, emphasizing the importance of love and unity within the Christian community. This term appears in several key passages, underscoring the expectation that believers should exhibit a deep, familial love towards one another, akin to the love shared among siblings.

In Romans 12:10, Paul exhorts believers to "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another." Here, φιλαδελφία is presented as a fundamental aspect of Christian conduct, encouraging believers to prioritize mutual respect and honor.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:9, Paul acknowledges the Thessalonian church's practice of brotherly love, stating, "Now about brotherly love, you do not need anyone to write to you, because you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another." This passage highlights the divine instruction inherent in the practice of φιλαδελφία, suggesting that it is a natural outgrowth of a life transformed by the Holy Spirit.

The Apostle Peter also emphasizes the importance of brotherly love in 1 Peter 1:22, where he writes, "Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth, so that you have a genuine love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from a pure heart." This verse connects the practice of φιλαδελφία with spiritual purity and obedience to the truth, indicating that such love is both a command and a result of spiritual growth.

Furthermore, 2 Peter 1:7 lists φιλαδελφία as a key component in the progression of Christian virtues, stating, "and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love." This progression suggests that brotherly love is an essential step towards achieving the fullness of Christian love (ἀγάπη, agape).

Overall, φιλαδελφία is a vital expression of the Christian faith, reflecting the unity and love that should characterize the body of Christ. It serves as a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel, fostering a community where believers support, honor, and love one another as family.

Forms and Transliterations

φιλαδελφια φιλαδελφία φιλαδελφίᾳ φιλαδελφιαν φιλαδελφίαν φιλαδελφιας φιλαδελφίας philadelphia philadelphía philadelphíāi philadelphian philadelphían philadelphias philadelphías

Englishman's Concordance

Romans 12:10 N-DFS
GRK: τῇ φιλαδελφίᾳ εἰς ἀλλήλους
NAS: another in brotherly love; give preference
KJV: one to another with brotherly love; in honour
INT: with the brotherly love toward one another

1 Thessalonians 4:9 N-GFS
GRK: δὲ τῆς φιλαδελφίας οὐ χρείαν
NAS: Now as to the love of the brethren, you have
KJV: as touching brotherly love ye need
INT: moreover brotherly love no need

Hebrews 13:1 N-NFS
GRK: Ἡ φιλαδελφία μενέτω
NAS: Let love of the brethren continue.
KJV: Let brotherly love continue.
INT: Brotherly love let abide

1 Peter 1:22 N-AFS
GRK: ἀληθείας εἰς φιλαδελφίαν ἀνυπόκριτον ἐκ
NAS: for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently
KJV: unfeigned love of the brethren, [see that ye] love
INT: truth to brotherly love sincere out of

2 Peter 1:7 N-AFS
GRK: εὐσεβείᾳ τὴν φιλαδελφίαν ἐν δὲ
NAS: and in [your] godliness, brotherly kindness, and in [your] brotherly kindness,
KJV: godliness brotherly kindness; and
INT: godliness the brotherly love in moreover

2 Peter 1:7 N-DFS
GRK: δὲ τῇ φιλαδελφίᾳ τὴν ἀγάπην
NAS: brotherly kindness, and in [your] brotherly kindness, love.
KJV: and to brotherly kindness charity.
INT: moreover the brotherly love the love

Strong's Greek 5360
6 Occurrences

φιλαδελφίᾳ — 3 Occ.
φιλαδελφίαν — 2 Occ.
φιλαδελφίας — 1 Occ.