Φιλόλογος
Philólogos
G5378 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A personal name meaning 'fond of words' or 'lover of discourse.' In the New Testament, it refers specifically to an individual in the list of greetings in Romans 16:15. The term, formed from the elements 'friend/loving' (φίλος) and 'word/discourse/reason' (λόγος), suggests someone who is fond of learning, rhetoric, or thoughtful speech; in contemporary usage it could imply 'cultured,' 'studious,' or 'well-spoken.' In the New Testament context, it functions solely as a proper name.
Semantic Range
lover of words, fond of learning, fond of discourse, well-spoken person; as a proper name (Philologus)
Root / Etymology
Compound of φίλος ('loving, friend') and λόγος ('word, speech, reason'). The construction is formed in line with other Greek personal names built on positive qualities or admired attributes.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Φιλόλογος is found only once in the New Testament (Romans 16:15), where it designates a person greeted by Paul in Rome. The name is attested as a Greek personal name in epigraphic sources from the Hellenistic and Roman periods, and such compound names based on φιλο- ('fond of, loving') were common and signified admiration for various qualities—e.g., Φιλάδελφος ('lover of brother'), Φιλόθεος ('lover of god/the divine'). Unlike how Strong's gloss includes 'talkative' or 'argumentative,' the basic sense is positive and implies cultured speech or a love of learning rather than garrulousness. There is no evidence that the individual in Romans bore the name as a descriptor of argumentativeness or academic profession; the word is not used as a common noun in literary Greek or the New Testament. English translation tradition usually leaves the name untranslated as 'Philologus.' The root meanings signal esteem in rhetoric or education rather than mere talkativeness.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from φίλος and λόγος; fond of words, i.e. talkative (argumentative, learned, "philological"); Philologus, a Christian:--Philologus.
Root Family
Φιλόλογος (Philologos) — lover of words, fond of discourse, fond of learning
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5378-01 |
Φιλόλογον | philologon | N ACC M SG |
Philologus | Philologus | Philologos | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5378-01 |
Romans 16:15 | Φιλόλογον | philologon | N ACC M SG |
Philologus | Philologus | Philologos |