A friend of another kind

John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. [kjv]

ουκετι λεγω υμας δουλους οτι ο δουλος ουκ οιδεν τι ποιει αυτου ο κυριος υμας δε ειρηκα φιλους οτι παντα α ηκουσα παρα του πατρος μου εγνωρισα υμιν [gnt]

In John, Jesus calls fellow believers "friends". Some pastors in sermons will use the phrase "now friends" when addressing the congregation in an almost condescending and superior way as to give one the impression that they are taking on the role of Jesus for themselves. Sometimes this role appears to be more like impersonation than imitation. Perhaps that pastor is really a Quaker (rather than a quacker bird). The Quakers are known as the Society of Friends.

More: Imitator or impersonator of Christ

Discuss: How many "friends" did the true prophets have? How about the false prophets. How many "friends" did Paul have?

Does Jesus say to go out and "make friends"? Are we to "make friends" with the world?

More: John 15:1-19 Friendship evangelism deception

Acts 8:29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. [kjv]

ειπεν δε το πνευμα τω φιλιππω προσελθε και κολληθητι τω αρματι τουτω [gnt]

The modern Greek word "Φίλιππος" (FEE-leep-pos) ≈ "Philip" as a name is, literally, a "lover of horses". This name was popular in Bible times. There is more happening here that is interesting.

The modern Greek word "φίλος" (FEE-los) ≈ "friend, affection, love". The English word "philanthropy" is an "affection or love for man", "Philadelphia" is the "friendship of brothers" or "brotherly love".
The modern Greek word "άλογο" (A-lo-go) ≈ "horse" as used in 2 Peter and Jude to refer to "brute beasts" which were actually magnificent war horses.

More: A horse of another color: the name of Phillip

Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. [kjv]

σιδηρος σιδηρον οξυνει ανηρ δε παροξυνει προσωπον εταιρου [lxx]

The ancient Greek word "ἑταιρεία" ≈ "association, company, band". The modern Greek word "εταιρεία" (eh-teh-REE-a) ≈ "association, society, company".

This is not the ancient Greek word "φίλος" ≈ "that which is loved or important, friend" as in "Philadelphia" as "love of brothers" or "brotherly love".

The LXX (Septuagint) has various meanings of this word. When Jesus uses this word in Matthew, three times, as a code word, it is not in a good sense. Let us look at the usage in the LXX, then the literal usage of this word, and then the other usage in parables.

More: Revelation 3:7-13 RC6 Philadelphia

Proverbs 27:17

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KJV: Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

Hebrew: ברזל בברזל יחד ואיש יחד פני רעהו׃

Greek: σιδηρος σιδηρον οξυνει ανηρ δε παροξυνει προσωπον εταιρου

*G2083 *3 ἑταίρος (het-ah'-ee-ros) : from etes (a clansman); a comrade:--fellow, friend.

Usage

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εταιρε *3

Matthew 20:13 ... one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no ...
Matthew 22:12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither ...
Matthew 26:50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then ...

Words: εταιρε=3

The ancient Greek word "ἑταιρεία" ≈ "association, company, band". The modern Greek word "εταιρεία" (eh-teh-REE-a) ≈ "association, society, company".

The only use of this word in the GNT (Greek New Testament) is by Jesus, three times, in Matthew.

The LXX uses this word for "friend" but in various senses and with alternate meanings.

Might Jesus have had any of these alternate meanings in mind when he selected this word to use, as recorded in Matthew?

Proverbs 22:24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: [kjv]

μη ισθι εταιρος ανδρι θυμωδει φιλω δε οργιλω μη συναυλιζου [lxx]

Be not companion to a furious man; neither lodge with a passionate man: [bs3]

Proverbs 22:24

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KJV: Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:

Hebrew: אל תתרע את בעל אף ואת איש חמות לא תבוא׃

Greek: μη ισθι εταιρος ανδρι θυμωδει φιλω δε οργιλω μη συναυλιζου

Brenton: Be not companion to a furious man; neither lodge with a passionate man:

Proverbs 19:13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping. [kjv]

αισχυνη πατρι υιος αφρων και ουχ αγναι ευχαι απο μισθωματος εταιρας [lxx]

A foolish son is a disgrace to his father: vows paid out of the hire of a harlot are not pure. [bs3]

The HOT (Hebrew Old Testament) varies from the LXX in certain interesting ways. Which might be more accurate? Why might one or the other have changed the text?

The ancient Greek word "ἑταίρα" ≈ "courtesan, escort, prostitute".

Proverbs 19:13

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KJV: A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.

Hebrew: הות לאביו בן כסיל ודלף טרד מדיני אשה׃

Greek: αισχυνη πατρι υιος αφρων και ουχ αγναι ευχαι απο μισθωματος εταιρας

Brenton: A foolish son is a disgrace to his father: vows paid out of the hire of a harlot are not pure.

Matthew 26:47 And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. [kjv]

26:48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. [kjv]

ο δε παραδιδους αυτον εδωκεν αυτοις σημειον λεγων ον αν φιλησω αυτος εστιν κρατησατε αυτον [gnt]

26:49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. [kjv]

και ευθεως προσελθων τω ιησου ειπεν χαιρε ραββι και κατεφιλησεν αυτον [gnt]

The Greek word for "kiss" is the word for "friend" and the word for "kissed" has the word "friend" in it. What type of "friend" is this?

Matthew 26:47

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KJV: And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.

Greek: και ετι αυτου λαλουντος ιδου ιουδας εις των δωδεκα ηλθεν και μετ αυτου οχλος πολυς μετα μαχαιρων και ξυλων απο των αρχιερεων και πρεσβυτερων του λαου

Matthew 26:48

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KJV: Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.

Greek: ο δε παραδιδους αυτον εδωκεν αυτοις σημειον λεγων ον αν φιλησω αυτος εστιν κρατησατε αυτον

Matthew 26:49

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KJV: And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.

Greek: και ευθεως προσελθων τω ιησου ειπεν χαιρε ραββι και κατεφιλησεν αυτον

Matthew 26:50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. [kjv]

ο δε ιησους ειπεν αυτω εταιρε εφ ο παρει τοτε προσελθοντες επεβαλον τας χειρας επι τον ιησουν και εκρατησαν αυτον [gnt]

Jesus had used this same word for "friend", here the traitor Judas, two times before in parables. With "friends" like this, who needs "enemies"?

Does the type of Judas, as a traitor, duplicitous in nature, one way on the outside, another on the inside, fit the usage of the word as used by Jesus in those other parables?

Matthew 26:50

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KJV: And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.

Greek: ο δε ιησους ειπεν αυτω εταιρε εφ ω ο παρει τοτε προσελθοντες επεβαλον τας χειρας επι τον ιησουν και εκρατησαν αυτον

Matthew 22:12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. [kjv]

και λεγει αυτω εταιρε πως εισηλθες ωδε μη εχων ενδυμα γαμου ο δε εφιμωθη [gnt]

"ἑταῖρε" ≈ "comrade, friend"
"ἑταίρα" ≈ "courtesan, escort, prostitute"

The ancient Greek word "ἑταιρεία" ≈ "association, company, band". The modern Greek word "εταιρεία" (eh-teh-REE-a) ≈ "association, society, company".

Might this one be one that, on the other hand, went "onto" the "merchandise"?

More: Matthew 22:1-14 Parable of the wedding feast

Matthew 20:13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? [kjv]

ο δε αποκριθεις ενι αυτων ειπεν εταιρε ουκ αδικω σε ουχι δηναριου συνεφωνησας μοι [gnt]

"ἑταῖρε" ≈ "comrade, friend"
"ἑταίρα" ≈ "courtesan, escort, prostitute"

Jesus does not use the word "friend" in a good sense. The ancient Greek word "ἑταιρεία" ≈ "association, company, band". The modern Greek word "εταιρεία" (eh-teh-REE-a) ≈ "association, society, company".

This is not the ancient Greek word "φίλος" ≈ "that which is loved or important, friend" as in "Philadelphia" as "love of brothers" or "brotherly love".

[business deals]

More: Matthew 20:1-19 Parable of the vineyard workers

Matthew 11:16 But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, [kjv]

τινι δε ομοιωσω την γενεαν ταυτην ομοια εστιν παιδιοις καθημενοις εν ταις αγοραιςα προσφωνουντα τοις ετεροις [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "ἑταιρεία" ≈ "association, company, band". The modern Greek word "εταιρεία" (eh-teh-REE-a) ≈ "association, society, company".

The KJV (King James Version) translates this word as "fellows".

More: Matthew 11:15-19 A pipe dream in the market place

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