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    Love (Phileo)

    φιλέω (phileō)

    Brotherly affection — warm, tender, personal friendship love.

    Greek
    Strong's G5368
    Pronunciation: fil-EH-oh
    Quick Answer

    Phileō is the Greek word for brotherly love, describing warm personal affection, tender friendship, and emotional attachment. It is the love of deep friendship, family bonds, and heartfelt fondness.

    "Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!" — John 11:36 (KJV)

    Key Verses

    John 11:36

    “Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!”
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    John 21:17

    “He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me?”
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    Romans 12:10

    “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.”
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    Strong's Concordance

    Strong's G5368 — Love (Phileo) (φιλέω (phileō))

    Browse the full lexicon entry and every KJV verse where φιλέω (phileō) appears.

    Open Strong's G5368

    Etymology and Original Meaning

    Phileō means 'to love' in the sense of warm, personal affection. It is the root of Philadelphia ('city of brotherly love'), philosophy ('love of wisdom'), and philanthropy ('love of humanity'). Unlike agape, which emphasizes sacrificial commitment, phileō emphasizes emotional warmth, tender attachment, and the enjoyment of another's company.

    Jesus and Phileo Love

    Jesus experienced and expressed phileō. He wept at Lazarus' tomb, and the Jews observed, 'Behold how he loved (ephilei) him!' (John 11:36). Jesus had a special friendship with 'the disciple whom he loved' (John 13:23). The Son of God was not emotionally distant — He experienced the full range of human affection, including tender, personal friendship.

    Peter's Restoration

    The famous exchange in John 21:15-17 between Jesus and Peter involves a subtle interplay of agapaō and phileō. Jesus asks, 'Lovest thou me?' (using agapaō). Peter responds with phileō — 'I have affection for you.' The third time, Jesus adopts Peter's word: 'Do you have affection for me?' The conversation reveals that Jesus meets Peter where he is, accepting imperfect love and restoring him.

    Brotherly Love in the Church

    Paul commands believers to be 'kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love' (Romans 12:10) — using philadelphia, the noun form of phileō. The church is not merely an organization but a family where warm affection, genuine fondness, and personal care characterize relationships. Christianity is not cold duty but warm-hearted fellowship.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What does phileo mean in the Bible?

    Phileō means warm, personal, brotherly love — the affection of friendship, family bonds, and tender attachment. It emphasizes emotional warmth rather than sacrificial commitment.

    What is the difference between agape and phileo?

    Agape is sacrificial, unconditional, commitment-based love. Phileō is warm, personal, affection-based love. Both are important — God calls for both committed action (agape) and genuine warmth (phileō) in relationships.

    Which Bible verse uses the word "Love (Phileo)"?

    John 11:36 — "Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!" (KJV). It also appears in John 21:17, Romans 12:10.

    Why does the Greek word behind "Love (Phileo)" matter?

    Phileō means 'to love' in the sense of warm, personal affection. English uses one word, "Love (Phileo)", where the Greek φιλέω (phileō) carries the fuller sense: brotherly affection — warm, tender, personal friendship love.

    Related Words

    Agape
    Love (Ahavah)
    Peace

    Related Reading

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    Word Meaning

    Love (Phileo) (φιλέω (phileō))

    Brotherly affection — warm, tender, personal friendship love.

    Strong's

    Strong's G5368 — Love (Phileo)

    φιλέω (phileō) • Brotherly affection — warm, tender, personal friendship love.

    Word Meaning

    Agape (ἀγάπη (Agapē))

    Unconditional, self-sacrificial love; the highest form of love

    Strong's

    Strong's G26 — Agape

    ἀγάπη (Agapē) • Unconditional, self-sacrificial love; the highest form of love

    Dream Meaning

    Biblical Meaning of Seeing Dead Relatives in a Dream (KJV)

    Often the mind processing grief; test carefully against Scripture.

    Q&A

    What Is Agape Love?

    Theology & Doctrine

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