

Intersection of Life and Faith

<< Praying the Names of God, with Ann Spangler

Praying the Names of God - April 4

  • 2016 Apr 04

From Praying the Names of Jesus Week Sixteen, Day One

The Name

Key Scripture


His Name Revealed



Jesus, you valued my friendship more than you valued your life. How can I begin to understand that kind of love? Help me to be among those you count as faithful friends, living in a way not that repays your friendship, because that is impossible, but in a way that reflects my gratitude. Thank you, my Friend. Amen.

Understanding the Name

The Greek word philos (FEE-los) means "friend" or "relative." Occurring twenty-eight times in the New Testament, it is also used to describe the close relationship that exists among believers, related to each other by virtue of their faith in Jesus. This word is related to phileo, the most general term for "to love" in the New Testament, and to the word philema, which means "a kiss." In fact, the early Christians used to greet each other with a holy kiss, signifying their close relationship.

John's Gospel indicates that Jesus not only called his disciples his friends but defined his own relationship with them by what was to be the greatest of all acts of friendship, in which he would lay down his life for them. Unlike most men of his day, Jesus had both male and female friends. Luke addressed his Gospel to someone named Theophilus, a proper name meaning "friend of God." The designation "friends" has survived as another name for those who belong to the religious group known as Quakers.

Studying the Name

  1. Explain in your own words how Jesus defines friendship in the passage from John 15: 9-16.
  2. Describe the best friendship you have ever had. How does it compare with the way you have experienced Jesus' friendship?
  3. How can you deepen your friendship with Christ?
  4. If Jesus died for us while we were still his enemies, as Romans 5:6-11 tells us, how should we regard our own enemies?
