φιλήδονος (G5369) — pleasure-loving¶
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 | G5369 |
| Greek | φιλήδονος |
| Transliteration | philedonos |
| Gloss | pleasure-loving |
| 2 Tim 3 verse | 3:4 |
| KJV rendering | "lovers of pleasures" |
| NT occurrences | 1 (1 book) |
| LXX occurrences (canonical) | 0 |
Etymology and Semantic Range¶
Compound: φίλος + ἡδονή (pleasure, enjoyment). NT hapax legomenon.
No LXX occurrences. The cognate ἡδονή appears in Jas 4:1,3 (pleasures that war in the members) and 2Pe 2:13 (pleasure in daylight carousing). φιλήδονος stands in direct antithesis to φιλόθεος in the same verse — the two loves are mutually exclusive.
OT / LXX Background¶
Hebrew תַּאֲוָה (desire, craving; Num 11:4 of the people's craving in the desert; Pro 21:25,26) and עֶדְנָה (luxury, pleasure; Gen 18:12).
NT Distribution¶
Theological Note¶
The phrase "lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God" is the sharpest antithesis in the list — two compound adjectives placed side by side with μᾶλλον ἢ (more than). It crystallises the entire catalogue: self-love (v.2) has displaced God-love (v.4).
NT Occurrences¶
| Reference | Greek form | KJV text |
|---|---|---|
| 2Ti 3:4 | φιλήδονοι | Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; |