“The Phileo kind of love”

Phileo (verb) used 25 times in New Testament, and is one of the New Testament words for love (the other Greek word for love is "Agape" which we discussed in last weeks devotion). It comes from the root word "Philos" which is the word translated “friend.” So “phileo” is a friendship kind of love, taking interest in someone, to treat affectionately or kindly or to have the same interest with another person. It also can involve fondness (or to be fond of doing), it is non-sexual in meaning.

We are to have “phileo” Love for God above all others:

God wants (and expects) us to be more fond of Him, more affectionate for Him, and take more interest in Him than in all others. He wants us to “phileo” Him first and above all else. Even above father, mother, son, daughter, and even our own life!

If any man love (“phileo” - fond of, affection toward or friendship type of love) not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema (i.e. Accursed) Maranatha. - I Cor. 16:22

He that loveth (“phileo” - fond of, affection toward or friendship type of love) father or mother more than me (Jesus) is not worthy of me: and he that loveth (“phileo” - fond of, affection toward or friendship type of love) son or daughter more than me (Jesus) is not worthy of me.
- Matthew 10:37

He that loveth (“phileo” - fond of, affection toward or friendship type of love) his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world (in comparison to our live for Jesus - my note) shall keep it unto life eternal. - John 12:25

Christ Return draws near is your “phileo” growing cold:

In the time before Christ return, the Bible says they will be difficult times, and the following verses are part of those difficult times:
v. 10 - And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
v. 11 - And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
Now notice verse 12:
v. 12 - And because iniquity shall abound (increase/multiply), the love (“phileo” - fond of, affection toward or friendship type of love) of many (i.e. most, majority) shall wax (grow) cold. - Matthew 24:10-12

Is this not a sign of our times, iniquity/lawlessness abounds today, and the out come is that “phileo” love by the vast majority is grown cold.

“Phileo” only in word - Christ betrayal:

To help in understanding Judas betrayal I have listed the same account from Matthew and Luke. We will see that though Judas uses the word “phileo” (translated kiss), he lowered the meaning from heart to a merely going through the motions of a greeting kiss of a friend.

“Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss (“phileo” - affection), that same is he: hold him fast”. - Matt. 26:48
“And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed (kataphileo - to kiss repeatedly) him.” - Matt. 26:49
“And Jesus said unto him, Friend (hetairos - means more like a business partner, and more for ones own selfish gain and does not carry any degree of endearment, fondness like “phileo”), wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.” - Mat 26:50

“And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss (“phileo”) him.” - Luke 22:47
“But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss (philema - a kiss, a token of Christians, by way of welcome or farewell)?” - Luke 22:48

Combine these two text and we have Judas betraying the Lord with what Judas called “phileo” - meaning here "a kiss". He comes up to Jesus and starts repeated kissing Jesus (the custom was to give a kiss), but by repeatedly kissing Jesus (which is the meaning of kataphileo in Matt. 26:49). That we be like us in America seeing a best friend and hugging him, and then giving them a second or third hug. Jesus then corrected him by saying friend “hetarios” and not “phileo”. Which was basically saying, “My self centered, business friend, what’s going on.” And in Luke Jesus even goes on to say to Judas, you are betraying me with a kiss? Judas that is so low!!! (my interpretation). Jesus was betrayed by the very thing that symbolized friendship - a kiss! How this must have grieved our Lord!

We may all think what a terrible, cold way Judas betrayed our Lord (and it was terrible and cold), BUT do we ever act as though we are close to, and fond of Jesus and then in our actions we are telling another story - Just a thought, one I take so very seriously myself.

In review we have covered three vastly different passages dealing with “phileo” love:
1. We are to have “phileo” Love for God above all others.
2. Christ Return draws near is your “phileo” growing cold.
3. “Phileo” by Judas only in word - the betrayal of Christ.

I hope and pray that these passages dealing with “phileo” love will speak to you in a fresh way with the help of the Holy Spirit our great Teacher (John 14:26).