Φίλητος
Phílētos
G5372 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Philetus (a personal name); primarily denotes 'one who is beloved' or 'amiable.' The name is formed from the root meaning 'to love' or 'to befriend,' and as such, it carries the connotation of a person who is considered dear or cherished. In New Testament usage, specifically in 2 Timothy 2:17, it is used as a proper name for an individual mentioned in the context of opposition to the teachings of Paul, but the name itself does not denote this opposition—this sense arises strictly from the narrative context rather than the meaning of the word.
Semantic Range
beloved, amiable, dear (used as a personal name); used in the New Testament specifically as the name of an individual
Root / Etymology
Derived from the verb φιλέω ('to love, to befriend, to have affection for'), with the masculine adjectival ending -τος, forming an adjective or substantivized form meaning 'beloved' or 'amiable.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
Philetus appears only as a proper name in the New Testament (2 Timothy 2:17), where he is listed alongside Hymenaeus as someone whose teachings Paul opposes. The name does not carry pejorative meaning in Greek but is instead a positive descriptor of character, likely chosen by parents for its favorable connotations. Philetus is found as a personal name in other Greek inscriptions and documents from the Hellenistic and Roman periods, attesting to its conventional use apart from the biblical record. While English Bible translations might use the name only in reference to the individual in 2 Timothy, the underlying Greek word simply means 'beloved' or 'amiable,' and does not by itself indicate opposition to emergent Christianity or any other movement. The conflation of the name with opposition arises solely from narrative context, not from lexical meaning. Variant names formed from φιλέω (e.g., Φίλιππος, Φιλόδημος) were common in the period, each emphasizing some aspect of affection or friendship.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from φιλέω; amiable; Philetus, an opposer of Christianity:--Philetus.
Root Family
Φίλητος (Philetos) — to love, to be affectionate, to befriend
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5372-01 |
Φίλητος | philetos | N NOM M SG |
Philetus | Beloved one | Philetos | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5372-01 |
2 Timothy 2:17 | Φίλητος | philetos | N NOM M SG |
Philetus | Beloved one | Philetos |