φιλάγαθος (philagathos)
philagathos
lover of good
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective philagathos means a lover of good or one who delights in what is right. In the New Testament, it appears only once, describing the character expected of an elder in Titus 1:8. The word combines the root for love with the term for goodness, pointing to a person whose nature is drawn toward moral excellence.
Its usage here highlights a positive trait rather than merely avoiding evil. An elder must be philagathos alongside being self-controlled and respectable. This suggests an active affection for virtue, aligning with the broader biblical call to pursue what is noble and pure. The term appears in classical Greek literature as well, but its scriptural use anchors it in spiritual integrity.
By emphasizing a love for goodness, this word distinguishes mere compliance from genuine moral desire. It describes someone who finds joy in right actions and values righteousness deeply. This inner orientation shapes outward behavior, making such a person trustworthy and spiritually mature. The rarity of the term underscores its specific focus on character formation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word philagathos, found in Titus 1:8, describes someone who is a lover of good. It combines the Greek roots for love and goodness to paint a picture of a person whose heart is naturally drawn toward what is right. This is not just about avoiding wrong actions; it is about actively delighting in moral excellence and virtue.
For your daily life, this means that faithfulness grows when you cultivate a genuine affection for goodness. Instead of focusing only on rules to follow, you can train your heart to find joy in doing what is right. This inner desire shapes how you treat others, making you more trustworthy and spiritually mature in every relationship.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a lover of good,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- φιλάγαθον,1×
Key Verses
-
Titus 1:8
but given to hospitality, a lover of good, sober minded, fair, holy, self-controlled,
This verse uniquely applies the term to elders, showing that a love for good is essential for spiritual leadership alongside hospitality and self-control.