"It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus."
Biblical Name · Greek Origin
Theophilus Meaning in the Bible
Theophilus
boy
Theophilus means "Friend of God; Loved by God", a boy's name of Greek origin. Theophilus appears in the King James Bible, and Luke 1:3 is the passage most often tied to it. Theophilus represents every seeker — Luke wrote the most comprehensive account of Jesus' life for anyone who wants to be a 'friend of God.'.
Is Theophilus in the Bible?
Yes — Theophilus appears in the King James Bible, including Luke 1:3.
Pronunciation:/thee-AH-fih-lus/
OriginGreek
MeaningFriend of God; Loved by God
What does Theophilus mean?
Theophilus is a boy name of Greek origin meaning "Friend of God; Loved by God". Theophilus was the recipient of both Luke's Gospel and the book of Acts. Luke addressed him as 'most excellent Theophilus,' suggesting he was a person of rank.
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What does Theophilus mean in the Bible?
Theophilus means "Friend of God; Loved by God" and is a name of Greek origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Theophilus was the recipient of both Luke's Gospel and the book of Acts. Luke addressed him as 'most excellent Theophilus,' suggesting he was a person of rank. His name means 'friend of God' — and ultimately, every reader of Luke-Acts is Theophilus.
Where does Theophilus appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Theophilus is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with Luke 1:3. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach."
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What are the variants and nicknames of Theophilus?
Theophilus has 4 recorded variants, short forms, and translations across languages and biblical traditions.
Variants & related forms
Which books of the Bible mention Theophilus?
Theophilus is mentioned across 2 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Theophilus?
Theophilus represents every seeker — Luke wrote the most comprehensive account of Jesus' life for anyone who wants to be a 'friend of God.'
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Theophilus:
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What names are related to Theophilus?
Names like Theophilus
Other Greek biblical names that share the spirit of "Friend of God; Loved by God" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Theophilus
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Elara
girl
"Bright; Shining light"
Theophilus & Elara
Elara
girl
"Cheerful; Bright"
Theophilus & Elara
Elena
girl
"Shining light; Bright one"
Theophilus & Elena
Eunice
girl
"Good victory; Joyous victory"
Theophilus & Eunice
Genesis
girl
"Beginning or origin"
Theophilus & Genesis
Philippa
girl
"Lover of horses; Friend of horses"
Theophilus & Philippa
Share the meaning of Theophilus
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Theophilus name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Theophilus appears in the King James Bible, including Luke 1:3.
Theophilus means "Friend of God; Loved by God." It is a Greek name. The King James Bible uses it in Luke 1:3, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Greek. Theophilus comes into English from Greek and carries the sense "Friend of God; Loved by God." It appears in the King James Bible, including Luke 1:3.
Common questions about the name Theophilus
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Theophilus?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Theophilus?
You can read every verse where Theophilus appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.