φιλόστοργος
philóstorgos
G5387 predicate adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Having deep, familial affection; showing tender attachment or caring love characteristic of close kin. In extended usage, expressing sincere concern or affection typical of relationships within a family, whether among kin or among members of an intimate group. The term carries the sense of warmth, loyalty, and close emotional bond, applied to both literal family and metaphorical family (such as a communal group or community of faith).
Semantic Range
showing family affection, acting with tender concern as toward kin, deeply affectionate, devoted as within a family, expressing warmth or loyalty typical of blood relations, acting with familial love toward a non-relative
Root / Etymology
Compound of φίλος (loving, dear, friendly) and στοργή (affection, esp. as felt for family or kin). Stemming directly from a combination of 'friend/love' and 'natural family love.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, στοργή is one of the primary words for affection, particularly between parents and children, and among close relatives; it emphasizes natural or instinctive love as opposed to acquired or chosen affection. The compound φιλόστοργος appears rarely outside the New Testament and Hellenistic Jewish literature. In Romans 12:10, its exhortative use underscores a metaphorical extension: fostering the same kind of natural, familial affection among members of the early assemblies as one would have among blood kin. Later English translations often render it as 'kindly affectioned' or 'devoted,' but these do not fully capture the specific focus on the warmth typical of kin relationships. Its usage contrasts with other Greek terms for affection (such as φιλόφρων or φιλανθρώπως), which do not connote the innate family-bond dimension. In all known contexts, the word is applied to call for familial care and genuine, heartfelt warmth within the community rather than mere friendly goodwill or social courtesy.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from φίλος and (cherishing one's kindred, especially parents or children); fond of natural relatives, i.e. fraternal towards fellow Christian:--kindly affectioned.
Root Family
φιλόστοργος (philostorgos) — to love, to cherish, to feel natural affection; familial devotion
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5387-01 |
φιλόστοργοι | philostorgoi | ADJ.P NOM M PL |
devoted | familially affectionate ones | familially affectionate ones | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5387-01 |
Romans 12:10 | φιλόστοργοι | philostorgoi | ADJ.P NOM M PL |
devoted | familially affectionate ones | familially affectionate ones |