φιλανθρωπία
philanthrōpía
G5363 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Affection or goodwill toward humans; a disposition or quality of showing kindness, generosity, or benevolence to others. In broader contexts, it reflects the love of humanity or humane concern for one's fellow humans, extending to acts of compassion and assistance. In official or royal contexts (such as Hellenistic inscriptions and literature), it frequently denotes beneficence, clemency, or mercy shown especially by rulers toward subjects or foreigners. In Christian texts, it can denote God's benevolent disposition or gracious acts toward humans, but is not limited to divine use.
Semantic Range
affection for humankind, benevolence toward others, practical kindness, humane treatment, generosity, mercy, graciousness (especially of rulers), divine goodwill, willingness to help, civic or personal beneficence
Root / Etymology
From φίλος ('loving,' 'fond') + ἄνθρωπος ('human being'); compound forming 'love of humanity.' Built on the root φιλο- (affection, fondness) and ἄνθρωπ- (human being). Directly paralleled in classical Greek.
Historical & Contextual Notes
First attested in classical Greek (e.g., Plato, Xenophon), where it denotes general kindness or humanity shown to others, including strangers. In Hellenistic and Roman contexts, φιλανθρωπία was a prominent civic and royal virtue, often ascribed to rulers or benefactors (euergetism). The term is used in the Septuagint and frequently in Greek literature to describe humane behavior or compassionate rule. In the New Testament (Acts 28:2, Titus 3:4), φιλανθρωπία refers both to human kindness and, notably, to God's beneficent attitude toward people. English 'philanthropy' retains the primary sense but can be more restricted in the modern world to organized charitable acts, while the ancient word included personal kindness and merciful behavior as well. The semantic range covers both personal and official/civic forms of kindness, and should not be reduced to institutional charity alone. φιλανθρωπία stands in contrast to misanthropy (μισανθρωπία), which means hatred or suspicion of humankind. The standard translation as 'kindness' or 'love of humanity' is generally accurate, but the full historic nuance includes government policy and royal propaganda, as well as moral virtue.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the same as φιλανθρώπως; fondness of mankind, i.e. benevolence ("philanthropy"):--kindness, love towards man.
Root Family
φιλανθρωπ- (philanthrōpía) — love of humanity, kindness, benevolence, compassion
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G5364 | φιλανθρώπως | humanely |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5363-01 |
φιλανθρωπία | philanthropia | N NOM F SG |
love | love of humanity | love of humanity | 1 |
G5363-02 |
φιλανθρωπίαν | philanthropian | N ACC F SG |
kindness | benevolence toward humanity | benevolence toward humanity | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences