Lexical Summary philadelphos: Brotherly love, loving one's brother Original Word: φιλάδελφος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance love as brothersFrom philos and adephos; fond of brethren, i.e. Fraternal -- love as brethren. see GREEK philos see GREEK adephos HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 5361 philádelphos (from 5384 /phílos, "affectionate friend" and 80 /adelphós, "brother") – "brotherly," referring to the love between fellow family-members – i.e. (redeemed) people in God's family (used only in 1 Pet 3:8). See 5360 (philadelphia). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom philos and adelphos Definition loving one's brother NASB Translation brotherly (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5361: φιλάδελφοςφιλάδελφος, φιλαδελφον (φίλος and ἀδελφός), loving brother or sister (Sophocles, Plutarch, Anthol.); in a broader sense, loving one like a brother, Xenophon, mem. 2, 3, 17; loving one's fellow-countrymen, of an Israelite, 2 Macc. 15:14; of a Christian loving Christians, 1 Peter 3:8 (R. V. loving as brethren). Topical Lexicon OverviewPhiladelphos, translated “loving as brothers,” encapsulates the warm, family-like affection believers owe one another in Christ. Appearing once in the Greek New Testament (1 Peter 3:8), the word distills a rich biblical theme that courses through both Testaments and finds its fullest expression in the gospel and life of the church. Biblical Context 1 Peter 3:8 closes a sequence of practical exhortations by urging, “Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble”. Here philadelphos sits between unity of mind and compassion, making brotherly love the relational glue that binds sound doctrine to genuine care. Though the adjective itself is singular in occurrence, its cognate noun philadelphia (brotherly love) and the idea it represents suffuse the New Testament. Romans 12:10 commands, “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.” Hebrews 13:1 exhorts, “Let brotherly love continue.” These passages reveal how philadelphos belongs to a larger grammatical family that defines the ethical posture of the redeemed community. Old Testament Foundations The seed of philadelphos is planted in Israel’s covenant ethic. Leviticus 19:18 establishes the principle, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Within covenant Israel, fellow Hebrews were “brothers” (Deuteronomy 15:12), and mutual love was covenant loyalty. The Psalms celebrate such unity: “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony” (Psalm 133:1). Christological Fulfillment Jesus deepens and personalizes the command by calling His disciples “brothers” (Matthew 12:49–50) and giving the new commandment to “love one another” as He has loved them (John 13:34). His self-giving death redefines kinship around faith in Him, so that believers, regardless of ethnicity or status, become one household (Ephesians 2:19). Philadelphos thus reflects the love Jesus demonstrates and the family He creates. Relationship to Agapē Agapē is the unconditional, covenant love of God; philadelphia/philadelphos is the sibling expression of that love inside the body. 2 Peter 1:7 lists “brotherly affection” followed by “love,” showing progression rather than opposition. Agapē supplies the source; philadelphos shows the family likeness. Early Church Witness The first believers embodied philadelphos in tangible ways—sharing possessions (Acts 2:44-47), supporting famine-stricken brethren (2 Corinthians 8–9), and risking their lives for one another (Romans 16:3-4). Second-century observers marveled, “See how they love one another,” testifying that brotherly love was the church’s most compelling apologetic. Practical Ministry Applications • Congregational Life: Philadelphos motivates hospitality, meals, prayer support, and financial generosity (1 John 3:17). Theological Implications Brotherly love is not optional sentiment but essential evidence of regeneration (1 John 3:14). It reflects the Trinity’s eternal fellowship, anticipates the eschatological family gathering, and manifests the Spirit’s sanctifying work (Galatians 5:22). Contemporary Relevance In fragmented societies, philadelphos calls believers to transcend divisions of race, class, and politics. Practicing it means welcoming refugees, honoring the aged, valuing the unborn, and reconciling estranged brothers and sisters. Such love adorns the gospel, strengthens the church’s witness, and previews the coming kingdom “where righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13). Conclusion Philadelphos, though a single word appearing only once, concentrates the New Testament vision of familial love within the body of Christ. Rooted in covenant, revealed in Christ, empowered by the Spirit, and displayed through the church, it remains a non-negotiable mark of authentic discipleship until faith becomes sight. Forms and Transliterations φιλαδελφοι φιλάδελφοι φιλαμαρτήμων philadelphoi philádelphoiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |