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φιλοφρόνως

philophrónōs

G5390 adverb

SILEX Entry

Definition

With friendliness; in a kindly, gracious, or affectionate manner. Primarily describes conduct or speech characterized by goodwill, approachability, or a hospitable disposition toward others. It connotes acting toward someone in a spirit of warm regard or attentiveness.

Semantic Range

with friendliness, kindly, graciously, in a spirit of goodwill, with warm regard, with affectionate courtesy

Root / Etymology

Adverbial form of φιλόφρων (philophrōn), from φίλος ('friend, loving') + φρήν ('mind, thought, disposition'), literally, 'friendly-minded.' The adverb adds the suffix -ως to form an adverbial sense.

Historical & Contextual Notes

φιλοφρόνως is a rare adverb, found mainly in later Greek (post-classical and Koine) with few attestations. In the New Testament (1 Peter 3:8), it expresses an attitude of benevolence and mutual kindness among community members. In extra-biblical Hellenistic literature, the term often describes the spirit of courteous hospitality or the warm behavior expected between hosts, friends, or allies, sometimes in letter conclusions or requests. Standard English translations like 'courteously' or 'kindly' reflect part of the sense but do not emphasize the relational, mentally affectionate, or community-focused nuance. The word captures the ethical-social value of positive reciprocity in interpersonal dealings, as distinct from mere formal politeness or civility. There is some overlap with concepts like εὔνοια ('goodwill') or εὐμενῶς ('favorably'), but φιλοφρόνως stresses the affectionate, friendly inclination.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

adverb from φιλόφρων; with friendliness of mind, i.e. kindly:--courteously.

Root Family

φιλοφρόνως (philophronōs) — friendly-mindedly, kindly, graciously, with goodwill

Root φιλόφρων to love, to be well-disposed, to think kindly

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5390-01 φιλοφρόνως philophronos ADV courteously with warm goodwill with warm goodwill 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5390-01 Acts 28:7 φιλοφρόνως philophronos ADV courteously with warm goodwill with warm goodwill
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