Strong's Lexicon philia: Friendship, love, affection Original Word: φιλία Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb φιλέω (phileō), meaning "to love" or "to have affection for." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Hebrew equivalent often associated with "philia" is רֵעַ (rea), meaning "friend" or "companion," as seen in Proverbs 17:17: "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Usage: In the New Testament, "philia" refers to the love or affection shared between friends. It is a type of love characterized by mutual respect, shared interests, and companionship. Unlike "agape," which is often used to describe unconditional, selfless love, "philia" is more about reciprocal relationships and emotional bonds. Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Greek culture, "philia" was considered one of the highest forms of love, often associated with loyalty, virtue, and equality. It was seen as essential for the functioning of society, as it fostered cooperation and harmony among individuals. Philosophers like Aristotle discussed "philia" extensively, emphasizing its role in friendships and civic relationships. HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 5373 philía – friendship, warm affection. See 5368 (phileō). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom philos Definition friendship NASB Translation friendship (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5373: φιλίαφιλία, φιλίας, ἡ (φίλος), friendship: with a genitive of the object, James 4:4. ((Theognis, Herodotus, others.)) Strong's Exhaustive Concordance friendship. From philos; fondness -- friendship. see GREEK philos Forms and Transliterations φιλια φιλία φιλιάζεις φιλιάζως φιλίαν φιλίας philia philíaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |