Φιλαδέλφεια (Philadelpheia)
Philadelpheia
Philadelphia
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun philadelpheia refers to the ancient city of Philadelphia in Lydia, located in Asia Minor near Mount Tmolus. It appears only twice in the New Testament, both within the Book of Revelation (1:11; 3:7), where Jesus addresses it as one of the seven churches.
The name itself derives from philadelphos, meaning "brotherly love." This reflects its founding by Attalus II Philadelphus of Pergamon. The city later passed to Roman control after the death of Attalus III in 133 BC. Its etymology highlights a community bound by kinship, a fitting backdrop for letters urging faithfulness.
Translators consistently render this term as "Philadelphia," preserving the proper name rather than translating its meaning. The sources note its geographical and historical context but do not suggest it carries a distinct theological definition beyond being a specific location addressed in prophetic literature.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Philadelphia carries a quiet promise rooted in its very origin. It comes from words meaning brotherly love, reflecting a community bound by kinship and mutual care. When Jesus mentions this city in Revelation, He is not just listing a location on a map. He is addressing a real group of believers who lived out that ideal of loving one another deeply.
For your own life, this word invites you to consider the health of your relationships within the church. It reminds us that faith is often lived out in the daily practice of kindness and support toward others. In a world that can feel divided, choosing to love your neighbor as family is a powerful witness to the truth of the Gospel.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Philadelphia2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Φιλαδέλφειαν1×
- Φιλαδελφείᾳ1×
Key Verses
-
Revelation of John 1:11
saying, “What you see, write in a book and send to the seven assemblies: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”
This verse lists Philadelphia among the seven churches, establishing it as a distinct community receiving specific divine instruction.
-
Revelation of John 3:7
“To the angel of the assembly in Philadelphia write: “He who is holy, he who is true, he who has the key of David, he who opens and no one can shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says these things:
Here Jesus addresses the church directly, highlighting His authority to open doors that no one can shut, a promise particularly relevant to this community's history of resilience.