[b-greek] Re: Synonyms (AGAPAW-PHILEW)

From: RUSSELL RANKIN (rrankin@isd.net)
Date: Mon Jan 08 2001 - 02:36:54 EST


Carl Conrad, Theodore Mann, and all,

Though similar, and not always clearly defined, I suggest that the context
usually gives some indication as to why one word is chosen over the other.

Since AGAPAW and FILEW were used in Greek society to designate nuances of
love, it appears necessary to note the slight differences in Biblical
writings as well. Rather than suggest one form is 'higher' and the other is
'lower' kind of love, one might better say each is a different standard of
love -- love based on similar but different standards. By this one can
notice the basis for which one word is used in a given context. Depending
upon the context, the standard for each word is different because it is
based on the participants described.

Therefore, AGAPAW designated a love shared by the standard of the
individuals involved, e.g. publicans love each other [Mt.5] and sinners love
each other [Lk.6]. That AGAPAW was selected to describe God's love only
reflects that the writer felt it was the best of the three Greek words to
describe a love which was based on the standard he defined as God [1Jn.4],
or as God's standard [1Cor.13].

As has been suggested, FILEW is used when a standard of family relationship
is intended. So, father/son and brother/brotherhood are common to all
societies, secular and religious. It is not out of the ordinary that this
became applied figuratively by N.T. writers to shared 'faith' relationships
as well as to the Father/Son relationship.

In John 21, both words APAPAW and FILEW reflect the standards which Jesus
and Peter placed on their relationship and their perspective of the subject
of the discussion. Jesus saw things differently than did Peter. All this
was recalled through the reflective eyes of another, John. I submit that
noticing the different words used helps us appreciate the nuances that John
saw in this conversation.

[The Greek words for love are extensively analyzed in Kittel's Theological
Dictionary of the New Testament, including biblical and non-biblical usage
with correlations to the Hebrew words and the LXX].

Russell Rankin
Church of God (Abrahamic Faith)
Minnesota, USA

-----Original Message-----
From: Carl W. Conrad [mailto:cwconrad@artsci.wustl.edu]
Sent: Sunday, January 07, 2001 11:13 AM
To: Biblical Greek
Cc: Biblical Greek
Subject: [b-greek] Re: Synonyms (AGAPAW-PHILEW)


At 12:06 PM -0500 1/7/01, Theodore H Mann wrote:
> I haven't followed this thread too closely, so I hope this hasn't
>already been discussed.
> In the circles with which my wife and I associate, we are very often
>told that AGAPAW always refers to a much higher form of love than FILEW;
>that AGAPAW is reserved for the kind of love God has for His son and for
>His children, and is the kind of love one Christian should have for
>another. (Therefore Peter's responses to Jesus in Jn. 21 indicate a
>lower from of love.) I wonder if anyone else encounters similar
>definitions.
> Don't the following references pretty much refute that notion?
>
>1. Lk.6:32 "And if you love (AGAPE) those who love you, what credit is
>that to you? For even sinners love (AGAPE) those who love (AGAPE)
>them."
>2. Lk. 11:43 "Woe to you Pharisees! For you love (AGAPE) the front
>seats in the synagogues… "
>3. Lk. 16:13 "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate
>the one, and love (AGAPE) the other… "
>4. Jn. 5:20 "For the Father loves (FILEO) the Son… "
>5. Jn. 16:27 ".. for the Father Himself loves (FILEO) you, because you
>have loved (FILEO) me.. "
>6. Jn. 20:2 "And so she [Mary] ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the
>other disciple whom Jesus loved (FILEO).. "
>7. 1 Cor. 16:22 "If any one does not love (FILEO) the Lord, let him be
>accursed."
>8. 2 Tim. 4:10 ".. for Demas, having loved (AGAPE) this present world… "
>9. Tit. 3:4 "But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love
>(FILEO) for mankind appeared… "
>10. Tit. 3:15 "Greet those who love (FILEO) us in the faith… "
>11. Rev. 3:19 "Those whom I love (FILEO), I reprove and discipline.. "

Yes; they refute any notion that there is a clear distinction that is
universally upheld in all NT texts.

--

Carl W. Conrad
Department of Classics/Washington University
One Brookings Drive/St. Louis, MO, USA 63130/(314) 935-4018
Home: 7222 Colgate Ave./St. Louis, MO 63130/(314) 726-5649
cwconrad@artsci.wustl.edu
WWW: http://www.artsci.wustl.edu/~cwconrad/


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