Friendly/friend
φίλοςStrong’s G5384philos
Appears in 26 verses of the New Testament
In short
Philos is the Greek word usually translated “friends” and “friend”. It appears in 26 verses of the New Testament.
“The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.”
Meaning
Usually translated “friends” and “friend”. Open the dictionary entry below for the full range of meaning, with the verses it cites.
How it's translated
- friends 15
- a friend 7
- friend 5
Word-by-word English from the STEPBible tagged text.
Where it's used most
- Luke 14
- John 6
- Acts 3
- James 2
- Matthew 1
5 books in all.
Explore in Scripture
- Luke 7:6Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:
- Luke 7:34The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!
- Luke 11:5And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;
- Luke 11:6For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?
- Luke 11:8I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
- Luke 12:4And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
Greek dictionary
φίλος philos · friendly/friend
φίλος, -η, -ον [in LXX chiefly for רֵעַ, אָהַב ;] 1. pass., beloved, dear (Hom., Eur., al.). 2. Act., loving, friendly (in cl. less frequently and only in poets): Act.19:31. As subst., a friend; (a) masc., ὁ φ.: Luk.7:6 11:5 14:10 15:6 16:9 21:16 23:12, Act.27:3, 3Jn.14; opposite to δοῦλος, Jhn.15:15; φ. ἀναγκαῖοι, Act.10:24; with genitive subj., Mat.11:19, Luk.7:34 11:6, 8 12:4 14:12 15:29, Jhn.11:11 15:13-14; ὁ φ. τοῦ νυμφίου, Jhn.3:29; τ. Καίσαρος (see Deiss., BS 167; LAE, 382 f.), Jhn.19:12; θεοῦ (see Hort, in l), Jas.2:23; with genitive of thing(s), τ, κόσμου, Jas.4:4; …
From STEPBible’s Greek lexicon (based on Abbott-Smith).
Webster's 1828 Dictionary
How the English word “friend” was understood when the King James Version was still the common Bible of English readers.
FRIEND, noun
frend.
- One who is attached to another by affection; one who entertains for another sentiments of esteem, respect and affection, which lead him to desire his company, and to seek to promote his happiness and prosperity; opposed to foe or enemy.“A friend loveth at all times” Proverbs 17:17
- One not hostile; opposed to an enemy in war.
- One reconciled after enmity.
- An attendant; a companion.
All definitions and other forms of “friend”
- A favorer; one who is propitious; as a friend to commerce; a friend to poetry; a friend to charitable institution.
- A favorite.
- A term of salutation; a familiar compellation.“FRIEND, how camest thou in hither?” Matthew 22:12
- Formerly, a paramour.
- A friend at court, one who has sufficient interest to serve another.
FRIEND, verb transitive
frend. To favor; to countenance; to befriend; to support or aid. [But we now use befriend.]
Noah Webster, An American Dictionary of the English Language (1828). Verse references are checked against the KJV. Read the full entry.
Verses are from the King James Version. Word meanings come from the original Greek, not from any one translation.