Berean Strong's Lexicon philosophia: Philosophy Original Word: φιλοσοφία Word Origin: From φίλος (philos, meaning "loving") and σοφία (sophia, meaning "wisdom") Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "philosophia," the concept of wisdom is often represented by the Hebrew word חָכְמָה (chokmah), Strong's Hebrew 2451, which denotes wisdom, skill, or shrewdness, particularly in a godly context. Usage: In the New Testament, "philosophia" refers to the pursuit or love of wisdom, often associated with human traditions and speculative reasoning. It is used in a context that warns against being led astray by human wisdom that is contrary to divine revelation. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, philosophy was a highly esteemed discipline, encompassing various schools of thought such as Stoicism, Epicureanism, and Platonism. Philosophers were regarded as seekers of truth and wisdom, often engaging in debates about the nature of reality, ethics, and the divine. However, early Christians were cautious of philosophies that contradicted or diluted the teachings of Christ, emphasizing the sufficiency of divine revelation over human speculation. HELPS Word-studies 5385 philosophía (from 5384 /phílos, "a friend" and 4678 /sophía, "wisdom") – properly, a friend (lover) of wisdom (used only in Col 2:8). 5835/philosophía ("philosophy") in Col 2:8 refers to secular philosophy – elevating human wisdom over the wisdom of God. Such 5385 (philosophía) is loving one's own thoughts (secular wisdom) at the expense of God's Word (true wisdom). [5385 (philosophía) is the root of the English term "philosophy" and used only of the vain pursuit of wisdom in the NT. That is, the pursuit of truth apart from the revelation of God's Word.] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom philosophos Definition the love or pursuit of wisdom NASB Translation philosophy (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5385: φιλοσοφίαφιλοσοφία, φιλοσοφίας, ἡ (from φιλόσοφος), properly, love (and pursuit) of wisdom; used in the Greek writings of either zeal for or skill in any art or science, any branch of knowledge, see Passow, under the word (cf. Liddell and Scott, under the word). Once in the N. T. of the theology, or rather theosophy, of certain Jewish-Christian ascetics, which busied itself with refined and speculative inquiries into the nature and classes of angels, into the ritual of the Mosaic law and the regulations of Jewish tradition respecting practical life: Colossians 2:8; see Grimm on 4 Macc. 1:1, p. 298f; (Lightfoot on Colossians, the passage cited, and Prof. Westcott in B. D., under the word Philosophy). Strong's Exhaustive Concordance philosophy. From philosophos; "philosophy", i.e. (specially), Jewish sophistry -- philosophy. see GREEK philosophos Forms and Transliterations φιλοσοφιας φιλοσοφίας philosophias philosophíasLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |