Philos or Hetairos?
What is friendship? Trust, honesty, fellowship, enjoyment? Yes, indeed those and many more characteristics can describe what friendship is. Christ Himself gives a characteristic of friendship in John 15:14, but is this the same kind of friend that Christ calls Judas in Matthew 26: 50?
In the Greek language there are two words that render “friend” in the English language: “philos” and “hetairos”. Both of these words are translated “friend” in the NASB, but both have a different meaning. “Philos” means a true friend. This is the kind of friend that Jesus calls his disciples (excluding Judas) in John 15: 15, and also this is the “friend” that is with the bridegroom at His wedding (John 3: 29). Therefore, this “friend” is one that we would understand as being a true friend. However, “hetairos” conveys more of a companion than a true friend. This word is only used three times in the Greek New Testament and all three occur in the book of Matthew. What’s interesting is that this is the word used when the King addresses a guest not dressed in wedding clothes and then condemns him to outer darkness (Matthew 22: 12). Also, in the other passages in Matthew (20: 13 and 26: 50), it is never indicating a close relationship that we would consider to be a friendship. “Hetairos” is what Jesus calls Judas in Matthew 26: 50, but in Luke 12: 4 Christ address His disciples as friends (philoi). That would include Judas wouldn’t it? What makes me wonder is this: was “hetairos” the word used by Jesus to prick Judas’ heart? Was it this word that made him change his mind and try to rectify what he had done? How would you feel if for three years you traveled with Jesus and built a relationship with Him so that He called you friend (philos), and then one day He calls you “hetairos”? Of course we can say that Judas may have also changed his mind by seeing Jesus in those chains and being pushed around, but I sometimes wonder how I would I feel if I was regarded as a friend one day, and then the next day I wasn’t. Are you Jesus’ “philos” or “hetairos”?
posted by the areopagites at 2:09 PM
8 Comments:
Good article, young man! Good thoughts and well written. Looking forward to future offerings.
wow...i have never thought about it that way. i think its amazing that people can interpret the Bible i way that makes Christians think about what it means. I look foward to future blog posts!
excellent! i like that, a lot. please continue to write articles.
Great bible study, It actually helped me alot for my 1st preach I will be giving in a youth service. Thank You so much. It is great to know that we are all in the same sequence of the Lord. God Bless
it is my understanding that "philos" means something close to "ally" or "retainer" while "hetairos" means something like "warband." i guess this sort of applies to your definitions--one would be closer to his friends and allies than his warband.
could it not be something else? John focuses upon 'friend' = philos, the ones who are loved by God and given life (Jesus loved the three in Bethany)and therefore called 'philoi'. Matthew in 20 speaks about those called by God to labour in his vineyard, Jesus' companions in the work given to him by his father which is a very close relationship. It is this relationship, that Matthew evokes when he tells about Judas' betrayal: the' hetairoi' in ancient Greece were those following the monarch most closely, and riding next to him. Judas was like the other 11 called into this relationship - and he betrays his master, kissing him (philesô, same root as philos)
And the guest at the wedding has been invited into this close relationship but refuses the dress given to him...
so I think, that the difference between John and Matthew is one of focus - not of relations. If the disciples used to be called 'philoi'in Matt - and Judas then suddenly 'hetaire', then perhaps - but''philos' in Matt is only used once, in 11.16 and here said about Jesus who is a 'philos' of sinners and taxcollectors.Jesus is the one who is able to love.
Excellent insight! I like your logic. Thanks.
Matt15:14 You are My friends IF you do whatever I command you.
It's wildly optimistic to say that Judas was included in this reference to "friends" when he was stealing from the group's common purse and Jesus knew from the beginning that he was the Betrayer. This definition specifically excludes Judas.
The Jesus of the Bible knew men's hearts and certainly knew better than to have ever considered Judas as a friend.
John6:64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him.
The parallel of Matt22 with Matt26 points to the distance between Judas and Jesus, who walked with him for years but used a noncommital pleasantry instead of his name, just prior to his condemnation and destruction...
(A prior commenter missed the point of Matt20, which was in the context of a parable about a human landowner who likely didn't even know the name of the worker who was complaining.)
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