φίλαυτος
phílautos
G5367 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Primarily, having love or regard for oneself; disposed to self-interest or self-preservation. In context, can carry a neutral sense of self-care, but in Koine Greek, especially in philosophical and ethical texts and in the New Testament, it typically denotes a negative quality: being selfish, self-centered, or preoccupied with one’s own interests to the neglect or harm of others. The semantic range includes self-love, selfishness, egocentrism, and self-indulgence.
Semantic Range
devoted to oneself, loving oneself, concerned primarily for oneself, selfish, self-centered, self-indulgent
Root / Etymology
From φίλος ('dear, loving, friend') and αὐτός ('self, the same'), thus literally 'loving oneself.' The formation is straightforward and appears in classical and later Greek as a compound adjective, following a productive Greek compounding pattern.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, φίλαυτος was not always pejorative; the idea of proper self-love could be discussed positively in philosophical contexts (e.g., care for one's well-being). In Hellenistic and particularly in Jewish and early Christian writings, however, the term trends negative, signifying an inordinate self-focus or selfishness (see, e.g., 2 Timothy 3:2). The negative connotation is heightened by its frequent inclusion in vice lists alongside traits like greediness and arrogance. English translations like 'selfish' or 'lovers of self' render the word but sometimes fail to convey the philosophical debates about appropriate versus excessive self-regard present in ancient sources. In contrast to broader terms for love or friendship (φιλανθρωπία, φιλαλήθεια), φίλαυτος points inward and is almost always contextually negative by the Roman period and in the New Testament.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from φίλος and αὐτός; fond of self, i.e. selfish:--lover of own self.
Root Family
φίλαυτος (philautos) — to love oneself, to be self-focused, self-centered
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5367-01 |
φίλαυτοι | philautoi | ADJ.S NOM M PL |
lovers of themselves | self-loving ones | self-loving ones | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5367-01 |
2 Timothy 3:2 | φίλαυτοι | philautoi | ADJ.S NOM M PL |
lovers of themselves | self-loving ones | self-loving ones |