John 15.14 and the ΦΙΛ- Lexeme in light of numismatic evidence : Friendship or obedience?

Journal article

Theophilos, Michael P.. (2018). John 15.14 and the ΦΙΛ- Lexeme in light of numismatic evidence : Friendship or obedience? New Testament Studies. 64(1), pp. 33-43. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0028688517000285
AuthorsTheophilos, Michael P.
Abstract

Commentators regularly note the alleged tension in John 15 between ‘friendship’ and ‘obedience’. This article employs numismatic inscriptional evidence to explore the ΦΙΛ- lexeme and more carefully denote the semantic domains of relevant terminology. This analysis confirms that no such tension exists within the socio-political context in which the Gospel was written. The inclusion of specific political terminology on Roman coins (for example, ΦΙΛΙΑ; ΦΙΛΟΚΑΙΣΑΡ; ΦΙΛΟΚΛΑΥΔΙΟΣ; ΦΙΛΟΡΩΜΑΙΟΣ; ΦΙΛΟΣΕΒΑΣΤΩΝ) was one way in which elite concepts of political friendship, evidenced in Cicero and Seneca, were communicated to the masses. In light of the numismatic evidence, the ΦΙΛ- lexeme can refer not only to the emotional bond of friendship, but also the dimension of obligation.

KeywordsJohn 15.14; friendship; friend of Caesar; numismatics; Roman coins; lexicography
Year2018
JournalNew Testament Studies
Journal citation64 (1), pp. 33-43
PublisherCambridge University Press
ISSN0028-6885
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1017/S0028688517000285
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85038901787
Research or scholarlyResearch
Page range33-43
Publisher's version
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All rights reserved
File Access Level
Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online08 Dec 2017
Publication process dates
Deposited03 Jun 2021
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