A STORY OF WORDS: The stem phileo is so very interesting in Greek. The last verse in 3rd John says to greet the friends by name, from that same word phileo. They loved one another enough to greet them, and to remember their names. So A characteristic, a reputation of Christians was that they were characterized by mutual friendship. In our language, a philatelist is a lover of stamps. A philosopher is a lover of wisdom. A philanthropist is one who has sacrificial love for his fellow-man. A bibliophile is a lover of books. When Jesus wept at the graveside of a friend, Lazarus, the people said Behold how he loved (from phileo) him. I hope and pray that we are living up to the name. That we care enough to cry, or to encourage, or to call, or to do whatever the occasion calls for. If I call myself a Christian, and do not demonstrate brotherly love, well, that would be hypocrisy wouldnt it? But lets not even think of such a thing. Besides, what a joy it is to love and be loved.
Posted on: Mon, 31 Mar 2014 22:41:47 +0000
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