ἀγαπᾶν and φιλεῖν in John 21:15-17

[Stephen Carlson]

The interchange of two verbs for love, ἀγαπᾶν and φιλεῖν, in John 21:15-17 has generated on the one hand a rash of bad exegeses proposing semantic differences between the terms (e.g., different kinds of love) and on the other hand claims that they are synonymous. In a recent article in Novum Testamentum, Lexicographer John A. L. Lee steps into the breach, arguing that, although both mean 'love,' there is a difference in formality between them, particularly in Peter's use of the more formal φιλεῖν in this context.

The cite is: John A. L. Lee, "The Puzzle of John 21:15-17: A Formality Solution," NovT 59 (2017): 27-30.

Here is the abstract:

The alternation of the words for “love” in John 21:15-17 is a long-standing puzzle that has defied solution. It is suggested in this note that ἀγαπῶ and φιλῶ carry a slight difference of “formality” as a result of their history and that this can account for the interplay.

[cwconrad]

The interchange of two verbs for love, ἀγαπᾶν and φιλεῖν, in John 21:15-17 has generated on the one hand a rash of bad exegeses proposing semantic differences between the terms (e.g., different kinds of love) and on the other hand claims that they are synonymous. In a recent article in Novum Testamentum, Lexicographer John A. L. Lee steps into the breach, arguing that, although both mean 'love,' there is a difference in formality between them, particularly in Peter's use of the more formal φιλεῖν in this context.

The cite is: John A. L. Lee, "The Puzzle of John 21:15-17: A Formality Solution," NovT 59 (2017): 27-30.

Here is the abstract:

The alternation of the words for “love” in John 21:15-17 is a long-standing puzzle that has defied solution. It is suggested in this note that ἀγαπῶ and φιλῶ carry a slight difference of “formality” as a result of their history and that this can account for the interplay.

I don't have ready access to the article, but I'm curious whether Lee applies the same criteria to the other alternative phrasings in this episode:

βόσκε τὰ ἀρνία μου

and

ποίμαινε τὰ πρόβατά μου

and

βόσκε τὰ πρόβατά μου

?

[Stephen Carlson]

No, he does not discuss those at all in this very short article.

[Stephen Hughes]

although both mean 'love,' there is a difference in formality between them, particularly in Peter's use of the more formal φιλεῖν in this context.

I can't access to the article online for 36 months, except by paying Brill's $30 price and I look forward to reading it, but never-the-less, I think it is great to see somebody saying that φιλεῖν is a superior / more inclusive (in this case more formal) form / conceptualisation of "love" than ἀγαπᾶν.