Philip
Pronounced FIL-ip
- Meaning
- "Lover of horses; Friend"
- Origin
- Greek
Philip means "lover of horses" in Greek, though his biblical legacy is one of loving people and bringing them to Jesus. Philip the Apostle was from Bethsaida and was one of the first disciples called by Jesus. When Philip encountered Jesus, his immediate response was to find Nathanael and tell him, "We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth." When Nathanael expressed doubt, Philip simply said, "Come and see" — a model of personal evangelism. Philip the Evangelist (a different Philip from the apostle) was one of the seven deacons who later preached in Samaria with great success and was led by the Spirit to explain Isaiah 53 to an Ethiopian court official, leading to his conversion and baptism.
Spiritual meaning
Philip's simple invitation — 'Come and see' — is the essence of evangelism. His life teaches that sharing faith doesn't require eloquent arguments, just a genuine invitation to encounter Jesus personally.
Related verses (KJV)
"Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him... Jesus of Nazareth. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see."
John 1:45-46 (KJV) →"Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus."
Acts 8:35 (KJV) →