Lexical Summary eleémosuné: Almsgiving, charity, acts of mercy Original Word: ἐλεημοσύνη Strong's Exhaustive Concordance alms. From eleos; compassionateness, i.e. (as exercised towards the poor) beneficence, or (concretely) a benefaction -- alms(-deeds). see GREEK eleos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom eleos Definition mercy, pity, spec. alms NASB Translation alms (7), charity (3), giving (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1654: ἐλεημοσύνηἐλεημοσύνη, ἐλεημοσύνης, ἡ (ἐλεήμων), the Sept. for חֶסֶד and צְדָקָה (see δικαιοσύνη, 1 b.); 1. mercy, pity (Callimachus ( 2. the benefaction itself, a donation to the poor, alms (the German Almosen (and the English alms) being (alike) a corruption of the Greek word): ἐλεημοσύνην διδόναι (((Diogenes Laërtius 5, 17)), Luke 11:41; Luke 12:33; αἰτεῖν, Acts 3:2; λαμβάνειν, Acts 3:3; πρός τήν ἐλεημοσύνην for (the purpose of asking) alms, Acts 3:10; plural, Acts 9:36; Acts 10:4, 31. Strong’s 1654 denotes concrete deeds of mercy extended to the materially needy, but the New Testament employs the term as a window into kingdom priorities, genuine piety, and the unfolding mission of the church. In the thirteen occurrences the word never appears in isolation from prayer, worship, or gospel witness; it is consistently tethered to the heart-attitude that treasures God over possessions and neighbors over self. Hebrew Roots and Intertestamental Development Behind the Greek term stands a rich Hebrew heritage of ṣĕdāqâh (“righteousness”) and ḥesed (“covenant mercy”), where caring for the poor was inseparable from covenant fidelity (Deuteronomy 15:7-11; Proverbs 19:17). Jewish tradition by Second-Temple times had developed organized almsgiving; the temple contained “alms-chests,” and synagogues kept poor-funds. This backdrop explains why beggars sat at the temple gate (Acts 3:2) and why Cornelius, though a Gentile, practiced almsgiving as an act of God-fearer devotion. Jesus and Almsgiving in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:1-4) Almsgiving, prayer, and fasting form a triad of righteousness practices Jesus addresses. Three emphases stand out: 1. Secrecy: “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” (Matthew 6:3-4). The focus is the Father’s reward, not human applause. Prophetic Purity and Internal Cleansing (Luke 11:39-41) Jesus rebukes Pharisaic ritualism: “But give as alms the things that are within you, and behold, everything will be clean for you” (Luke 11:41). For Christ, generosity flows from a heart already purified by grace; external acts derive their value from inward transformation. Discipleship and Kingdom Economics (Luke 12:33) “Sell your possessions and give to the poor” (Luke 12:33). Here almsgiving becomes a deliberate divestment that replaces earthly security with heavenly “purses that will not wear out.” Luke frames generosity as a faith exercise that acknowledges God’s providence and the imminence of the kingdom. The Beautiful Gate: Mercy and Miracle Converge (Acts 3:1-10) The lame man “asked to receive alms” (Acts 3:3). Peter’s response, “Silver or gold I have not, but what I have I give you” (Acts 3:6), reveals two truths: Dorcas: A Model of Deacon-Hearted Service (Acts 9:36) Tabitha “was always occupied with good deeds and acts of charity” (ἐλεημοσυνῶν). Her resurrection by Peter immortalizes practical mercy as an unmistakable mark of Spirit-filled discipleship and demonstrates the church’s valuation of female ministry. Cornelius: Almsgiving as Memorial before God (Acts 10:1-4, 31) Cornelius’s “prayers and gifts to the poor have ascended as a memorial offering before God” (Acts 10:4). Luke intertwines almsgiving with prayer to show that sincere mercy from a seeking Gentile triggers divine initiative leading to the outpouring of the Spirit on the nations. The episode confirms that God notes compassionate deeds even prior to covenant inclusion, preparing hearts for the gospel. Paul and the Jerusalem Collection (Acts 24:17) “After several years, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people” (Acts 24:17). Paul’s pan-church collection for the impoverished believers in Jerusalem (also discussed in Romans 15 and 2 Corinthians 8-9) exemplifies inter-congregational solidarity. Almsgiving here is both diaconal care and a tangible sign of Jew-Gentile unity in Christ. Theological Significance 1. Evidence of Saving Faith: Repeated linkage of almsgiving with prayer (Acts 10) and resurrection power (Acts 9) indicates that mercy works flow from a regenerated heart. Practical Ministry Application • Local churches should institutionalize mercy ministries without allowing them to become mere public relations. Historical Church Practice Patristic writings treat almsgiving as a basic Christian duty; early deacons administrated daily distributions (Acts 6). Medieval distortion sometimes elevated alms to meritorious status, yet the Reformation reclaimed the primacy of faith while maintaining care for the poor as fruit of grace. Modern evangelical missions continue the pattern—hospitals, orphanages, and relief efforts arise from the same impulse underlying ἐλεημοσύνη. Relationship to Justification and Sanctification Scripture never presents almsgiving as the ground of justification, but as inevitable fruit: “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (Ephesians 2:10). The practice participates in sanctification, habituating the believer in Christlike generosity. Summary Strong’s 1654 gathers within a single word the biblical vision of mercy: a hidden act watched by the Father, a practical relief for the needy, a witness to resurrection power, and a fragrant offering that ascends to heaven. From the Sermon on the Mount to Paul’s defense before Felix, almsgiving displays the gospel that both saves and serves. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 6:2 N-AFSGRK: οὖν ποιῇς ἐλεημοσύνην μὴ σαλπίσῃς KJV: when thou doest [thine] alms, do not INT: therefore you do give to the needy not do sound a trumpet Matthew 6:3 N-AFS Matthew 6:4 N-NFS Luke 11:41 N-AFS Luke 12:33 N-AFS Acts 3:2 N-AFS Acts 3:3 N-AFS Acts 3:10 N-AFS Acts 9:36 N-GFP Acts 10:2 N-AFP Acts 10:4 N-NFP Acts 10:31 N-NFP Acts 24:17 N-AFP Strong's Greek 1654 |
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