5386. philosophos

Lexicon

philosophos: Philosopher

Original Word: φιλόσοφος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: philosophos
Pronunciation: fee-LOS-oh-fos
Phonetic Spelling: (fil-os'-of-os)
Definition: Philosopher
Meaning: a philosopher.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

philosopher.

From philos and sophos; fond of wise things, i.e. A "philosopher" -- philosopher.

see GREEK philos

see GREEK sophos

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 5386 philósophos – literally, "a lover (friend) of wisdom" (used only in Ac 17:18).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from philos and sophos
Definition
a philosopher
NASB Translation
philosophers (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 5386: φιλόσοφος

φιλόσοφος, φιλοσοφου, ὁ (φίλος and σοφός), a philosopher, one given to the pursuit of wisdom or learning (Xenophon, Plato, others); in a narrower sense, one who investigates and discusses the causes of things and the highest good: Acts 17:18. (See references under the preceding word.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from φίλος (philos, meaning "loving" or "fond of") and σοφία (sophia, meaning "wisdom").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "philosophos" in the Old Testament, as the concept of a philosopher as understood in the Greco-Roman world does not have a direct parallel in Hebrew thought. However, the pursuit of wisdom is a significant theme in the Hebrew Scriptures, particularly in the wisdom literature such as Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job. The Hebrew word חָכָם (chakam, Strong's H2450) meaning "wise" or "skillful," is often used to describe individuals who possess wisdom.

Usage: The term "philosophos" is used in the New Testament to refer to individuals who engage in the pursuit of wisdom and knowledge, often through philosophical inquiry. It appears in contexts where philosophical thought and reasoning are discussed or encountered.

Context: The term "φιλόσοφος" (philosophos) appears in the New Testament in Acts 17:18, where it describes certain individuals who engaged with the Apostle Paul during his time in Athens. The verse states: "Some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also began to debate with him. Some of them asked, 'What is this babbler trying to say?' Others said, 'He seems to be advocating foreign gods.'" (BSB)

In this context, the philosophers are representatives of two prominent schools of thought in ancient Greece: the Epicureans and the Stoics. The Epicureans were known for their pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain as the highest good, while the Stoics emphasized rationality and self-control as the path to true wisdom and virtue.

The encounter between Paul and these philosophers highlights the cultural and intellectual diversity of Athens, a city renowned for its philosophical heritage. Paul's engagement with them demonstrates the early Christian mission's interaction with contemporary philosophical ideas and the challenge of presenting the Gospel in a context rich with differing worldviews.

The use of "philosophos" in this passage underscores the tension between human wisdom and divine revelation, a theme that is recurrent in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often contrasts the wisdom of the world with the wisdom of God, emphasizing that true wisdom comes from understanding and accepting the message of Christ.

Forms and Transliterations

φιλοσοφων φιλοσόφων philosophon philosophōn philosóphon philosóphōn

Englishman's Concordance

Acts 17:18 N-GMP
GRK: καὶ Στοϊκῶν φιλοσόφων συνέβαλλον αὐτῷ
NAS: and Stoic philosophers were conversing
KJV: certain philosophers of the Epicureans,
INT: and Stoics philosophers encountered him

Strong's Greek 5386
1 Occurrence

φιλοσόφων — 1 Occ.