The Beatles sang the #1 hit, “All You Need is Love.” Yet what will we mean after we say the word love? Ancient Greeks have several words for this concept, one in every of which is phileo.
In English, the word “love” becomes confusing. I can say I really like ice cream, my dog, my child, and my wife. Each one in every of these loves describes a distinct form of relationship and feeling. I don’t love my wife like I really like my dog or ice cream. To add to the confusion, some people in our culture use the phrase, “love is love,” which is an incomplete and circular definition.
Like other languages, Greek has several words for love to raised define the form of relationship we try to describe. Many learn about agape, essentially the love of God. Phileo love, nonetheless, can be necessary. But what does phileo love mean?
What Kind of Love Is Phileo Love?
The New Testament includes several Greek words for love. The Apostle Paul uses agape as the best form, often described as unconditional or selfless love. The Bible equates agape with God’s love, and he demonstrates this love toward humanity and calls believers to emulate it. This sacrificial love seeks the perfect for others no matter their actions or worthiness. 1 Corinthians 13 is some of the famous scriptures, often known as the “love chapter,” where Paul describes this agape.
Eros refers to romantic or passionate love, generally related to physical desire or attraction. While the New Testament doesn’t use the term, passages just like the Song of Solomon have fun the sweetness and intimacy of romantic love inside marriage.
Loving members of the family requires a distinct word than eros, hence storge or natural affection between close relatives. Storge brings a way of loyalty and belonging. The New Testament doesn’t use this term directly, but different biblical passages speak of familial relationships and responsibilities.
Finally, now we have phileo, which implies brotherly or friendship love. We characterize phileo with warmth, fondness, and mutual affection between friends or companions. The name of the town Philadelphia means “brotherly love,” which is derived from this Greek term. This love manifests in acts of kindness, support, and camaraderie. One distinguished example of phileo is Jesus’ friendships together with his disciples, particularly between Jesus and John, sometimes called “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23, 20:2, 21:7).
While these distinctions help discern different natures of affection, we must not rigidly define them. In practice, different forms of affection often intersect and overlap, enriching the depth and complexity of our relationships. For example, a married couple should enjoy eros, but they add storge love as they develop a family. With a lot time spent together, a husband and wife must also be good friends, phileo. Finally, as believers, a Christian marriage exemplifies a divine relationship between Christ and the Church, so agape love also comes into play.
What People within the Bible Demonstrate Phileo Love?
Throughout the Bible, quite a few examples illustrate phileo love, characterised by affection, friendship, and mutual care.
David and Johnathan stands out as the best-known example of phileo love. David, the longer term king of Israel, and Jonathan, the son of the present King Saul, developed a detailed friendship. The Bible describes their relationship as surpassing a brotherly relationship, marked by loyalty, trust, and selflessness. Jonathan risked his safety to guard David from Saul’s wrath (1 Samuel 20), and David mourned deeply over Jonathan’s death (2 Samuel 1:25-26).
The story of Ruth and Naomi demonstrates phileo love between a daughter-in-law and her mother-in-law. Despite facing adversity and hardship, Ruth remained steadfastly dedicated to Naomi, refusing to go away her side even after their husband’s death. Naomi released Ruth from any family obligation, but Ruth remained to assist Naomi. Ruth’s declaration of loyalty to Naomi—”Where you go I’ll go, and where you stay I’ll stay. Your people can be my people and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16)—epitomizes the depth of their affectionate bond.
The apostle Paul and his protege Timothy shared a detailed connection of mentorship and friendship. Paul affectionately referred to Timothy as his “beloved son” (2 Timothy 1:2) and expressed his real concern for Timothy’s spiritual growth and welfare. He entrusted Timothy with necessary responsibilities and encouraged him to persevere in his faith despite challenges (1 Timothy 6:11-12; 2 Timothy 2:1-7).
The siblings Mary, Martha, and Lazarus developed a special relationship with Jesus. Jesus often visited their home in Bethany, where they welcomed him with warmth and hospitality. When Lazarus fell sick and died, Jesus wept alongside Mary and Martha, demonstrating empathy and love for his dear friends (John 11:32-35).
What Does the Bible Say Makes Phileo Love So Important?
Phileo love fosters supportive relationships, unity, and mutual care. Several passages highlight the importance of phileo love in believers’ lives. We must remember how agape love, God’s love, must mark every relationship—whether in families, friendships, or marriages. Christ’s love Christ through Christians transforms every relationship.
In John 13:34-35, Jesus emphasizes that phileo love has a divine role amongst his followers, “A latest command I give to you: love each other. As I actually have loved you, so you need to love each other. By this, everyone will know that you just are my disciples for those who love each other.” Here, Jesus reveals the distinguishing mark of his disciples—a love for each other, which reflects the close bonds of friendship.
Proverbs 17:17 states, “A friend loves in any respect times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” Friendship exists to bring support over time and in all seasons, difficult or wonderful. Another writing of Solomon, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 teaches, “Two are higher than one because they’ve return for his or her labor: If either of them falls down, one will help the opposite up. But pity anyone who falls and has nobody to assist them up. Also, if two lie down together, they’ll keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one is overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands will not be quickly broken.” Solomon shares more wisdom here about different ways friendship brings value to people—strength, protection, and luxury.
The apostle Paul exhorts believers to “Be devoted to at least one one other in love. Honor each other above yourselves.” (Romans 12:10). This verse instructs Jesus’ followers to cultivate a spirit of devotion and mutual respect in relationships, reflecting how phileo love is selfless and affectionate. Paul further tells the church in Thessalonica, “Therefore encourage each other up, just as the truth is you’re doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Here, Paul highlights the friendship role of church members to supply and supply support and edification to other believers, increase the religion community.
What Does Healthy Phileo Love Look Like?
Jesus’ followers exhibit healthy phileo love through real affection, mutual respect, and support, all reflecting Christ’s love. Initially, we must always indicate the necessity to collect and be intentional in close relationships, especially as our culture becomes more divided, depressed, anxious, and lonely. We need deep friendships greater than ever. As Jesus and the early church modeled, we must spend quality and quantity of time together. With that in mind, the Scripture provides key principles to embody phileo love.
- Authenticity and Transparency. We can’t get close with others if we deceive or refuse to share truthfully. Healthy phileo love involves vulnerability, where we will be open with each other. Romans 12:9 encourages us by saying, “Love have to be sincere. Hate what’s evil; cling to what is sweet.” This verse implies a scarcity of honesty, which is lying, becomes evil, and sincerity results in goodness, fostering trust and deepening friendships.
- Mutual Support and Encouragement. We share deeply with others, and so they with us, for mutual encouragement. Phileo love entails offering mutual support and encouragement, especially during adversity. Galatians 6:2 urges us to “Carry one another’s burdens, and in this fashion, you’ll fulfill the law of Christ.” This mutual care, symbolized biblically with the interconnected Body of Christ, demonstrates God’s love.
- Active Listening and Empathy. Vulnerability works after we act as a protected place for people to share. Healthy phileo love involves actively listening to at least one one other with compassion, not responding with harsh criticism or condemnation. James 1:19 advises, “My dear brothers and sisters, pay attention to this: Everyone must be quick to listen, slow to talk, and slow to change into indignant.” This empathetic approach helps a struggling believer know they’ll share freely and be treated with love, because the Father does after we turn to him in our pain.
- Forgiveness and Reconciliation. People sin, and nobody is ideal. Even close friends develop conflicts or wound one another. Phileo love requires a willingness to forgive and reconcile, as modeled by Christ’s sacrificial love. Ephesians 4:32 instructs believers to “Be kind and compassionate to at least one one other, forgiving one another, just as in Christ God forgave you.” This attitude of grace and forgiveness fosters healing and restoration in relationships.
- Shared Purpose and Fellowship. A deep friendship develops not over shared interests but shared purpose. We find this healthy phileo love expressed through the shared purpose throughout the local church to spread the Gospel and love the community around them. Acts 2:42 describes the early Christian community: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” This shared commitment to God’s word and fellowship reminded them of their spiritual connection, strengthening unity.
- Servanthood and Humility. Servanthood exemplifies phileo love with humility and love, as demonstrated by the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 2:3-4 exhorts believers, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not seeking to your personal interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” This selfless attitude promotes unity and allows us to make use of our spiritual gifts.
- Accountability and Correction. Good friends love enough to bring up dangerous actions and behavior lovingly and respectfully. Phileo love includes accountability and correction to guard friends from harmful selections and for his or her everlasting good. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens one other.” This mutual sharpening fosters growth and maturity.
By embodying these principles and practices in our relationships, we reflect the transformative power of Christ’s love and help the body of Christ flourish. Through healthy phileo love, believers can construct strong, supportive communities that bear witness to God’s love and charm on the earth.
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