Passionate Evangelist: Φίλιππος (Strong’s G5376: Philippos) Friend of Horses and Messiah

Strong’s G5376: Derived from φίλος (friend) and ἵππος (horse), Philippos was a common Greek name meaning “lover of horses.” In the New Testament, it notably refers to two significant figures: the apostle Philip and Philip the evangelist, both known for their dedication to spreading the Gospel message.

U- Unveiling the Word

Φίλιππος represents more than just a common Greek name – it embodies the spirit of evangelistic fervor in the early church. As one of the twelve apostles, Philip demonstrated immediate obedience when called by Jesus in John 1:43. His eager response to bring Nathanael to the Messiah showcases the transformative power of encountering Jesus. The name gained further significance through Philip the evangelist, one of the seven deacons chosen in Acts 6:5, who brought the Gospel to Samaria and baptized the Ethiopian eunuch. Today, the name continues to inspire believers in their call to share the good news with others.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: Φίλιππος, Philippos, (fil’-ip-pos)
• Detailed pronunciation: fee’-lip-pos (stress on first syllable)
• Part of Speech: Proper Noun (Masculine)

Etymology:

• φίλος (philos) – friend, one who loves
• ἵππος (hippos) – horse
• -ος (-os) – masculine nominative singular ending

D – Defining Meanings

• One who loves or is fond of horses
• Friend of horses
• Horse-loving

For compound words:
φίλος (philos) contributes the sense of “loving” or “friend”
ἵππος (hippos) provides the object of affection – “horses”
-ος (-os) indicates this is a masculine singular noun

Translation Options:

• Horse-lover – Most literal translation reflecting both components
• Friend of horses – Captures the relationship aspect
• Philip – Traditional English rendering of the name

E – Exploring Similar Words

• φίλος (philos, fee’-los) – friend, loved one. Different in focusing solely on friendship. See G5384
• Φιλόθεος (philotheos, fil-oth’-eh-os) – lover of God. Similar compound structure but different object. See G5377
• ἵππος (hippos, hip’-pos) – horse. The second component of Philippos. See G2462

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a proper noun (masculine):

• Case: Varies (Nominative: Φίλιππος, Genitive: Φιλίππου, Dative: Φιλίππῳ, Accusative: Φίλιππον)
• Number: Singular
• Gender: Masculine
• Declension: Second declension

The name follows standard Greek noun morphology patterns, with case endings indicating its role in sentences. In English, we simply use “Philip” regardless of case.

• Related forms: None as it’s a proper name, though φίλος appears in many compounds

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

The major lexicons provide rich insights into Φίλιππος. BDAG identifies two distinct New Testament figures bearing this name: the apostle and the evangelist. Thayer’s emphasizes the apostle Philip’s Bethsaidan origin and his role in bringing Greeks to Jesus. LSJ notes the name’s widespread use in classical Greek culture, particularly among Macedonian royalty. Vine’s connects Philip’s eager evangelistic spirit to his name’s meaning of “lover of horses,” suggesting a dynamic, forward-moving ministry. Moulton and Milligan document the name’s common usage in papyri and inscriptions, confirming its popularity in the Hellenistic world.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“Philip [Φίλιππος] and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus” (Matthew 10:3)

Additional References:
John 1:43, John 1:44, John 1:45, John 1:46, John 6:5, John 12:21, John 14:8, Acts 6:5, Acts 8:5

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Φίλιππος embodies the eager spirit of early Christian evangelism. Both Philip the apostle and Philip the evangelist exemplified passionate pursuit of sharing the Gospel. Like the meaning of their name suggests – a lover of horses, ready to move swiftly – they carried the message of King Jesus with enthusiasm and urgency. Their examples remind us that when we encounter the Messiah, our natural response should be to share His good news with others, just as Philip immediately brought Nathanael to Jesus. The legacy of these men named Φίλιππος continues to inspire believers to be swift messengers of God’s grace.

D – Did You Know?

1. The name Φίλιππος became especially popular after Alexander the Great’s father, Philip II of Macedon
2. Philip the evangelist was the first to bring the Gospel to Samaria, breaking significant cultural barriers
3. The city of Philippi was named after Philip II, and later became the location of one of Paul’s most beloved churches

Strong’s G5376: Derived from φίλος (friend) and ἵππος (horse), Philippos was a common Greek name meaning “lover of horses.” In the New Testament, it notably refers to two significant figures: the apostle Philip and Philip the evangelist, both known for their dedication to spreading the Gospel message.

Part of speech: Proper Noun (Masculine)

Tags: apostle, evangelist, names, compound-words, biblical-characters, gospel-spreading, early-church, discipleship, evangelism, Greek-names​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​