Greek · G5368, G25 · unreviewed

φιλέω / ἀγαπάω

To love · to love (in a social or moral sense)

These lexicon entries are being actively developed. If you notice missing content, incorrect definitions, or have suggestions, we'd love to hear from you. Share a note on our Connect page and include a screenshot if helpful.

Words in this compound — expand to study each participant

φιλέω G5368 to love
Pronunciation philéō
Emotional, affectionate love of friendship and preference, contrasting ἀγαπάω's love of duty and respect
Open lexicon entry →
ἀγαπάω G25 to love (in a social or moral sense)
Pronunciation agapáō
Open lexicon entry →

What does φιλέω / ἀγαπάω (phileō / agapaō) mean in the Bible?

φιλέω · ἀγαπάω is a Greek word meaning "love, affection, covenantal love".

Full entry for φιλέω / ἀγαπάω (G5368, G25) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

love, affection, covenantal love
Grammatical Forms

How mood, tense, and voice shift the force of this verb in context.

Tenses
Present Imperfect Aorist Perfect
Voices
Active
Participle verbal adjective — the action as a modifying quality
Present Active Matt 10:37 · John 12:25 · Rev 22:15 · Luke 20:46 · Titus 3:15
Indicative states a fact or reality 15×
Present Active John 5:20 · John 16:27 · 1 Cor 16:22 · John 11:3 · John 21:17 · John 21:15 · John 21:16 · Matt 6:5 · Matt 23:6 11×
Imperfect Active John 11:36 · John 15:19 · John 20:2
Perfect Active John 16:27
Subjunctive possibility, probability, or purpose
Aorist Active Matt 26:48 · Mark 14:44
Present Active Rev 3:19
Infinitive verbal noun — the action in abstract
Aorist Active Luke 22:47
Discourse Aspect

How this verb appears across 143 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).

Aspect
completed 25 ongoing 24 prospective 16 resultant 1 imperative 9 background 7 subjunctive 16 infinitive 8 participle 37
Tense
present 78 aorist 32 future 16 perfect 10 imperfect 7
Voice
active 133 passive 10
Mood
indicative 73 participle 37 subjunctive 16 imperative 9 infinitive 8
NT Occurrences
Matthew 5:43 Ἀγαπήσεις future active indicative prospective Matthew 5:44 ἀγαπᾶτε present active imperative imperative Matthew 5:46 ἀγαπήσητε aorist active subjunctive subjunctive Matthew 5:46 ἀγαπῶντας present active participle participle Matthew 6:24 ἀγαπήσει future active indicative prospective Matthew 19:19 Ἀγαπήσεις future active indicative prospective Matthew 22:37 Ἀγαπήσεις future active indicative prospective Matthew 22:39 Ἀγαπήσεις future active indicative prospective Mark 10:21 ἠγάπησεν aorist active indicative completed Mark 12:30 ἀγαπήσεις future active indicative prospective Mark 12:31 Ἀγαπήσεις future active indicative prospective Mark 12:33 ἀγαπᾶν present active infinitive infinitive Mark 12:33 ἀγαπᾶν present active infinitive infinitive Luke 6:27 ἀγαπᾶτε present active imperative imperative Luke 6:32 ἀγαπᾶτε present active indicative ongoing Luke 6:32 ἀγαπῶντας present active participle participle Luke 6:32 ἀγαπῶντας present active participle participle Luke 6:32 ἀγαπῶσιν present active indicative ongoing Luke 6:35 ἀγαπᾶτε present active imperative imperative Luke 7:42 ἀγαπήσει future active indicative prospective Luke 7:47 ἠγάπησεν aorist active indicative completed Luke 7:47 ἀγαπᾷ present active indicative ongoing Luke 7:5 ἀγαπᾷ present active indicative ongoing Luke 10:27 Ἀγαπήσεις future active indicative prospective Luke 11:43 ἀγαπᾶτε present active indicative ongoing Luke 16:13 ἀγαπήσει future active indicative prospective John 3:16 ἠγάπησεν aorist active indicative completed John 3:19 ἠγάπησαν aorist active indicative completed John 3:35 ἀγαπᾷ present active indicative ongoing John 8:42 ἠγαπᾶτε imperfect active indicative background John 10:17 ἀγαπᾷ present active indicative ongoing John 11:5 ἠγάπα imperfect active indicative background John 12:43 ἠγάπησαν aorist active indicative completed John 13:1 ἀγαπήσας aorist active participle participle John 13:1 ἠγάπησεν aorist active indicative completed John 13:23 ἠγάπα imperfect active indicative background John 13:34 ἀγαπᾶτε present active subjunctive subjunctive John 13:34 ἠγάπησα aorist active indicative completed John 13:34 ἀγαπᾶτε present active subjunctive subjunctive John 14:15 ἀγαπᾶτέ present active subjunctive subjunctive +103 more occurrences

Aspect reflects grammatical form — not authorial emphasis. Participles and infinitives are verbal adjectives and nouns respectively.

Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)

Cross-Language Connections

Hebrew roots and equivalents that share conceptual or etymological ground with this Greek word.

Word Pictures (Robertson)

A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.

Colossians 3 — Raised with Christ: Putting Off the Old Life and Putting On the New John 11 — The Resurrection and the Life, the Raising of Lazarus, and the Plot to Kill Jesus John 12 — The Anointed King, the Lifted-Up Son of Man, and the Hour of Glory John 13 — The Servant-Lord, the Washed Disciples, and the New Command of Love John 14 — The Way, the Truth, and the Life, the Father Revealed in the Son, and the Promise of the Spirit John 15 — The True Vine, Abiding Fruitfulness, Christlike Love, and the World’s Hatred John 16 — The Spirit’s Convicting Witness, the Disciples’ Sorrow Turned to Joy, and Christ’s Victory over the World John 17 — The Son’s High Priestly Prayer: Glory, Preservation, Sanctification, Unity, Mission, and Love John 19 — The Crucified King: Behold the Man, Behold Your King, It Is Finished, and the Pierced Son John 20 — The Risen Lord: Empty Tomb, Eyewitness Faith, Peace, Mission, Spirit, Thomas, and the Purpose of the Gospel John 21 — The Risen Lord Restores, Commissions, Shepherds, and Testifies through His Witness Luke 6 — The Lord of the Sabbath Forms a Kingdom People Luke 7 — The Compassionate Lord Who Heals, Raises, Confirms, and Forgives Mark 10 — The Way of the Servant King: Marriage, Children, Wealth, Cross, Ransom, and Sight Mark 12 — The Rejected Son, the Greatest Commandment, the Lord of David, and the Widow’s Offering Mark 14 — The Son of Man Handed Over: Anointing, Supper, Gethsemane, Betrayal, Trial, and Denial Matthew 10 — The Mission of the Twelve, Costly Witness, and Allegiance to Christ Matthew 19 — Marriage from Creation, Children Received, Riches Renounced, and the Reward of Following Christ Matthew 22 — The Wedding Banquet, the King’s Invitation, and the Messiah Who Is David’s Lord Matthew 5 — Kingdom Blessedness, Fulfilled Law, and Heart-Level Righteousness Romans 13 — Submission to Governing Authorities, Love as the Fulfillment of the Law, and Life in the Light of the Coming Day Romans 9 — God’s Faithfulness, Sovereign Mercy, and Israel’s Stumbling Over Christ

A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain

Sources