PHILOS (Friend)
What is the Word?
Friendship is prominent throughout the Bible. The idea of a friend or someone beloved is especially prominent in the New Testament. In fact, Philos is such a strong and influential word that we use many words today that are derived from this word. For example, Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love, finds its origin in the word Philos. Philanthropy, the love of people, also derives from this word. Thus, we can see its connections to the ideas of brotherly affection and friendship.
How does the Bible use this word?
Because the ideas of friendship and affection are so prominent in the New Testament, it is not surprising that we should find this word used numerous times by Jesus himself as well as by the apostles. The root phil carries the idea of an intimate, experiential affection in the midst of a relationship. To consider one philos is to consider one beloved and to trust that person as a confidante. It is to share a bond that is exemplified in the community of the Church.
Where in the Bible?
In John chapter 15, our Lord uses this word multiple times to demonstrate how far love is willing to go:
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends (φίλων). You are my friends (φίλοι) if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends (φίλους), for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
John 15:13-15
This passage beautifully demonstrates the broadness of the term and the types of nuances it brings out of the narrative. What love is this that our Lord Jesus considers us so beloved that he will lay down his life for his friends, indeed even the whole world! He then demonstrates the intimate nature of this friendship. He does not consider his followers his servants, but his friends. The master does not confide in his servant, but a master will confide in his friends. Jesus considers us to be so close to him that he is willing to share all that he has with us. All that the Father has given to Jesus, he has given to us.
Extending Philos
In subtle words like Philos we can begin to see that the Greek expression of friendship is a bit more encompassing than perhaps we are used to seeing in English. Now that we understand what the Biblical model of friendship entails, we can begin to understand how we can love those who are close to us a bit more fully in light of the kind of love Jesus demonstrates toward his friends. We can also see that our relationship with Jesus is far beyond that of servant and master. Because Jesus lays his life down for us, we can be assured that we have a genuine friendship with him, and that we can trust him in all things.
Written by Drew Matz