φιλόθεος (G5377) — God-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 | G5377 |
| Greek | φιλόθεος |
| Transliteration | philotheos |
| Gloss | God-loving |
| 2 Tim 3 verse | 3:4 |
| KJV rendering | "lovers of God" |
| NT occurrences | 1 (1 book) |
| LXX occurrences (canonical) | 0 |
Etymology and Semantic Range¶
Compound: φίλος + θεός (God). NT hapax legomenon. Appears in the phrase φιλήδονοι μᾶλλον ἢ φιλόθεοι (lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God).
The single NT occurrence makes this technically a hapax but it functions as the pivot of the entire list: by naming what is absent (love of God), Paul reveals the theological diagnosis of all the preceding vices. No LXX occurrences.
OT / LXX Background¶
The command to love God (אָהַב + יְהוָה) is central to the Shema (Deu 6:5) and the summary of the law. φιλόθεος frames the 2 Tim 3 vices as failures of this primary commandment.
NT Distribution¶
Theological Note¶
φιλόθεος answers φίλαυτος (v.2): the list opens with self-love and closes with its antithesis, God-love. The entire catalogue is framed as the consequence of inverting the great commandment.
NT Occurrences¶
| Reference | Greek form | KJV text |
|---|---|---|
| 2Ti 3:4 | φιλόθεοι, | Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; |