5388. philoteknos

Lexicon

philoteknos: Loving one's children

Original Word: φιλότεκνος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: philoteknos
Pronunciation: fee-LOT-ek-nos
Phonetic Spelling: (fil-ot'-ek-nos)
Definition: Loving one's children
Meaning: loving one's children.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

love their children.

From philos and teknon; fond of one's children, i.e. Maternal -- love their children.

see GREEK philos

see GREEK teknon

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from philos and teknon
Definition
loving one's children
NASB Translation
love their children (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 5388: φιλότεκνος

φιλότεκνος, φιλοτεκνον (φίλος and τέκνον), loving one's offspring or children: joined with φίλανδρος (as in Plutarch, mor., p. 769 c.), of women, Titus 2:4. (4 Macc. 15:3-5; Herodotus 2, 66; Aristophanes, Euripides, Aristotle, Plutarch, Lucian, others.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from two Greek words: φίλος (phílos), meaning "loving" or "fond of," and τέκνον (téknon), meaning "child."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for φιλότεκνος, the concept of parental love and responsibility is echoed in various Hebrew terms related to family and child-rearing, such as אָהַב (ahav, Strong's 157) meaning "to love," and יֶלֶד (yeled, Strong's 3206) meaning "child." These terms collectively convey the biblical ideal of nurturing and loving one's children as a reflection of God's love for His people.

Usage: The term φιλότεκνος is used to describe a person who has a natural affection and care for their children. It is often associated with the qualities expected of a parent, particularly in the context of Christian virtues and family life.

Context: The term φιλότεκνος appears in the context of early Christian teachings, emphasizing the importance of familial love and responsibility. In the pastoral epistles, particularly in the qualifications for church leaders, the love and care for one's own children are highlighted as essential virtues. This reflects the broader biblical theme of the family as a foundational unit of society and the church.

In the New Testament, the concept of being φιλότεκνος is closely linked to the idea of stewardship and leadership within the family. A person who is φιλότεκνος is seen as someone who not only provides for the physical needs of their children but also nurtures their spiritual and moral development. This aligns with the biblical mandate for parents to raise their children in the "discipline and instruction of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4, BSB).

The emphasis on being φιλότεκνος underscores the importance of modeling Christ-like love and character within the home. It serves as a reminder that the family is a primary context for discipleship and the transmission of faith from one generation to the next.

Forms and Transliterations

φιλοτεκνους φιλοτέκνους philoteknous philotéknous

Englishman's Concordance

Titus 2:4 Adj-AFP
GRK: φιλάνδρους εἶναι φιλοτέκνους
NAS: to love their husbands, to love their children,
KJV: to love their husbands, to love their children,
INT: lovers of [their] husbands to be lovers of [their] children

Strong's Greek 5388
1 Occurrence

φιλοτέκνους — 1 Occ.