ἀφιλάγαθος (G0865) — not loving good, hostile to goodness¶
Part of the 2 Timothy 3:1–5 Vice List study
Contents¶
- Overview
- Etymology and Semantic Range
- OT / LXX Background
- NT Distribution
- Theological Note
- NT Occurrences
Overview¶
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Strong's | G0865 |
| Greek | ἀφιλάγαθος |
| Transliteration | aphilagathos |
| Gloss | not loving good, hostile to goodness |
| 2 Tim 3 verse | 3:3 |
| KJV rendering | "despisers of those that are good" |
| NT occurrences | 1 (1 book) |
| LXX occurrences (canonical) | 0 |
Etymology and Semantic Range¶
Alpha-privative + φίλος (loving) + ἀγαθός (good). NT hapax legomenon. Its positive counterpart φιλάγαθος (lover of good) appears in Tit 1:8 as a required quality for overseers.
No LXX occurrences. The KJV "despisers of those that are good" over-translates: the term simply means "not loving what is good" — the absence of love for goodness itself, not necessarily active hatred.
OT / LXX Background¶
Hebrew שֹׂנֵא טוֹב (hating good; Mic 3:2) and מָאַס (to reject, despise; Amo 5:10 "they hate the one who reproves") cover similar ground.
NT Distribution¶
Theological Note¶
Standing at the mirror image of φιλάγαθος (Tit 1:8), this term marks the final inversion: the elder is to love goodness; the last-days person is constitutionally indifferent or hostile to it.
NT Occurrences¶
| Reference | Greek form | KJV text |
|---|---|---|
| 2Ti 3:3 | ἀφιλάγαθοι, | Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are goo… |