φιλάγαθος
philágathos
G5358 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Fond of what is good; having an active affection for goodness or virtue, characterized by favoring or promoting what is morally upright. In context, describes individuals who actively pursue and support goodness, virtue, or beneficial things (including but not limited to good people). The core meaning is an affinity or inclination towards the good, manifesting as a practice of promoting or upholding what is recognized as good.
Semantic Range
devoted to what is good, loving or cherishing goodness, promoter or supporter of virtue, affectionate towards good people or actions, actively favoring what is morally right or beneficial
Root / Etymology
Compound of φίλος (loving, friendly, fond of) and ἀγαθός (good, noble, beneficial). Thus, literally 'fond of good (things or people)'.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Attested rarely in extant Greek literature; most notably appears in the list of virtues in the New Testament (Titus 1:8), likely reflecting common Hellenistic ethical terminology. Classical Greek prefers the form φιλάγαθός only sparingly for personal qualities, with the semantic emphasis mostly on a general fondness or inclination toward what is considered good—be it actions, values, or people. In Hellenistic Jewish and early Christian contexts, the term acquires a nuance related to actively supporting or loving virtue in the broader moral sense rather than affection merely for virtuous persons. Standard English translations like 'lover of good (men)' may be misleadingly narrow; the sense includes promoting goodness in a broad ethical sense, not only in interpersonal relationships. Contrasts with terms such as φιλάνθρωπος (fond of humanity, benevolent), which emphasizes kindness to people specifically, whereas φιλάγαθος focuses on attachment to what is recognized as good more generally.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from φίλος and ἀγαθός; fond to good, i.e. a promoter of virtue:--love of good men.
Root Family
φιλάγαθος (philagathos) — to love, to value as good, to favor what is good
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5358-01 |
φιλάγαθον | philagathon | ADJ.S ACC M SG |
loving what is good | a lover of good | a lover of good | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5358-01 |
Titus 1:8 | φιλάγαθον | philagathon | ADJ.S ACC M SG |
loving what is good | a lover of good | a lover of good |