Quick Definition
loving what is good
Strong's Definition
fond to good, i.e. a promoter of virtue
Derivation: from G5384 (φίλος) and G18 (ἀγαθός);
KJV Usage: love of good men
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
φιλάγαθος, φιλάγαθον (from φίλος and ἀγαθός), loving goodness: Tit_1:8. (Sap. vii. 22; Plutarch, praec. conjug. c. 17; also compound Thes. c. Rom c. 2; (φιλάγαθος οὐ φίλαυτος, Aristotle, magn. mor. ii. 14, p. 1212b 18; Polybius 6, 53, 9; Philo de vit. Moys. ii., § 2).)
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
φιλάγαθος philagathos 1x
a lover of goodness, or, of the good, a fosterer of virtue, Tit_1:8
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
**φιλ -άγαθος , -ον ,
[in LXX : Wis_7:22 * ;]
loving that which is good, loving goodness: Tit_1:8 ( Arist ., Polyb ., a l.).†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
φιλάγαθος [page 668]
loving what is good (Tit. 1:8). In P Oxy I. 33 ii. 11 (late ii/A.D.) a certain Appianus taunts an Emperor, perhaps Commodus (see P Oxy II. p. 319), by extolling the superior virtues of his predecessor Marcus Aurelius ἄκουε , τὸ μὲν πρῶτον ἦ [ν ] φιλόσοφος , τὸ δεντερον ἀφιλάργυρος , τ [ὸ ] τίτον φιλάγαθος , listen; in the first place he was a lover of wisdom, secondly, he was no lover of gain, thirdly, he was a lover of virtue (Edd.).
For the corr. subst., which is common in the inscrr., cf. Preisigke 1106 .6 (Ptol.) οἱ συνπόσιον γευόμενοι φιλαγαθίας ἕνεκεν τῆς εἰς ἑαυτούς , ib. 6117 .4 (B.C. 18) φιλαγαθίας χάριν , and for the verb cf. P Tebt I. 124 .17 ( c. B.C. 118) ἧι ἔχομεν ἀπὸ τῆς ἀρχῆς φιλαγαθήσαντες .
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
φιλ-άγαθος, -ον
[in LXX: Wis.7:22 * ;]
loving that which is good, loving goodness: Tit.1:8 (Arist., Polyb., a l.).†
(AS)
📖 In-Depth Word Study
Loving what is good (5358) philagathos
Loving what is good (5358) (philagathos from phÃlos = friend, loved + agathos [word study] = good, benevolent) means loving and practicing what is intrinsically good (cf Philippians 4:8- note).
Philagathos combines not only the liking to be kind but also the actual doing of good. This trait describes one who is tireless in activities prompted by love. Philagathos frequently appears in inscriptions to people of noble character, specifically as a title of honor in Greek societies. Aristotle uses this word in the sense of unselfish describing a lover of good actions. Aristotle uses philagathos in the sense of unselfish or a lover of good actions.
Steven Cole...
Negatively, he doesn’t fill his mind with all of the violent, sensual filth that is on TV or in movies. Positively, as Paul puts it in Philippians 4:8, “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” (Read the full sermon)
Spiritual leaders should be known as friends of the godly and virtuous. This man is good because he has a good heart and surrounds himself with good things. Overseers who are lovers of good things and good men give evidence of their piety, and likeness to God and their Master Jesus Christ. The overseer's speech, activities, and associations should reveal that he is separated from all that is disreputable, questionable, or overtly wrong.
Barclay adds that
The Christian office-bearer must be a man whose heart answers to the good in whatever person, in whatever place and in whatever action he finds it. (Barclay, W: The Daily Study Bible Series, Rev. ed. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press)
Paul wrote that
while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. (Gal 6:10)
SENSIBLE: sophorona:
use good judgment (GWT)
sober minded (YLT)
He must live wisely (NLT)
discreet (DNT)
prudent (NRSV)
a man who is discreet (Phillips)
serious minded (BBE)
sober in deportment (Hiebert)
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