Lexical Summary diapragmateuomai: To thoroughly engage in business, to trade, to negotiate Original Word: διαπραγματεύομαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance gain by trading, earnFrom dia and pragmateuomai; to thoroughly occupy oneself, i.e. (transitively and by implication) to earn in business -- gain by trading. see GREEK dia see GREEK pragmateuomai HELPS Word-studies 1281 diapragmateúomai (from 1223 /diá, "thoroughly" and 4231 /pragmateúomai, "occupied in business, trading") – properly, busily engaged in making trades (used only in Lk 19:15). 1281 /diapragmateúomai ("to increase by trading") implies active, detailed trading that "buys right" and then knows just when to exchange ("make a change, trade up"). Lk 19:15: " . . . that He (referring to Christ) might know what had been gained by trading (1281 /diapragmateúomai)." NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom dia and pragmateuomai Definition to examine thoroughly, to gain by trading NASB Translation business...done (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1281: διαπραγματεύομαιδιαπραγματεύομαι: 1 aorist διεπραγματευσαμην; "thoroughly, earnestly (διά) to undertake a business," Dionysius Halicarnassus 3, 72; contextually, to undertake a business for the sake of gain: Luke 19:15. (In Plato, Phaedo, p. 77 d. 95 e. to examine thoroughly.) Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope of the TermStrong’s Greek 1281 denotes the action of engaging in commercial activity so as to secure an increase. The word pictures deliberate, sustained trading with an eye toward profit. In Scripture it appears in a single verse, yet the image it conveys reverberates throughout the Bible’s teaching on stewardship, accountability and kingdom fruitfulness. Usage in Luke 19:15 Luke records Jesus’ parable of the minas, where the nobleman entrusts ten servants with money before departing to receive a kingdom. Upon his return “he summoned the servants to whom he had given the money, to find out what each had gained by trading” (Luke 19:15). The verb translated “gained by trading” captures the central expectation placed upon the servants: they were to transact faithfully and productively during their master’s absence. Historical Background of First-Century Commerce Greco-Roman commerce flourished across the Mediterranean, assisted by Roman roads, sea lanes, common coinage and legal protections for contracts. Merchants secured capital from patrons, bought goods such as grain, wine, textiles or metalwork, and resold at profit in distant markets. Risk was real—storms, piracy, market collapse—but profit rewarded diligence and shrewdness. Jesus’ audience would immediately grasp the courage, insight and industriousness required to multiply a mina tenfold, and they would feel the shame of a servant who simply hid it. Biblical Theology of Stewardship 1. Ownership belongs to God. Psalm 24:1; Haggai 2:8; Romans 11:36. The verb in Luke 19:15 embodies stage three: the pursuit of increase. The nobleman’s demand for a reckoning highlights stage four. Eschatological Significance Jesus places the parable at a moment when “the people thought that the kingdom of God would appear at once” (Luke 19:11). By invoking commercial profit, He reframes the waiting period between His ascension and return. Disciples are not passive spectators; they are laboring investors charged with manifesting kingdom realities in the present age, assured that their efforts will be examined when the King comes in glory (Revelation 22:12). Comparative Insight: Parable of the Talents Matthew 25:14-30 features a similar narrative but with different vocabulary and amounts. Both parables: By coupling the two accounts, Scripture presents faithful work—whether spiritual gifts, gospel witness, material assets or time—as the ordained means by which believers “gain by trading” for their Lord. Ministry Applications 1. Gospel Advancement. Paul describes his apostolic ministry in economic terms: “I strive to preach the gospel where Christ was not named” (Romans 15:20). Evangelism multiplies spiritual capital. Warnings against Unproductive Preservation Luke 19 and Matthew 25 both condemn the false security of safeguarding what God gave without growth. Revelation 3:1-3 rebukes Sardis for having “a reputation for being alive, but you are dead,” illustrating institutional atrophy when outward form is unaccompanied by fruitful activity. Encouragement for Faithful Risk Proverbs 11:24-25 celebrates generous, outward-focused use of resources, promising that “he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” Biblical trading thus involves prudent risk rooted in trust that the Master’s return will vindicate every faithful endeavor. Conclusion Strong’s 1281 serves as a vivid lens through which to view the believer’s calling. The Lord entrusts assets; disciples transact for His glory; the coming King will settle accounts. Far from a peripheral commercial term, it crystallizes the dynamic of kingdom stewardship that spans Genesis to Revelation, urging every generation to “conduct business” until He comes. Forms and Transliterations διάπρασις διεπραγματευσαντο διεπραγματεύσαντο diepragmateusanto diepragmateúsantoLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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