Lexical Summary thésaurizó: To store up, to lay up, to treasure Original Word: θησαυρίζω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance lay up treasure, keep in store. From thesauros; to amass or reserve (literally or figuratively) -- lay up (treasure), (keep) in store, (heap) treasure (together, up). see GREEK thesauros HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 2343 thēsaurízō – properly, to put away, "store up"; lay aside treasure, built up (accumulated) for the day of future recompense. See 2344 (thēsauros). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom thésauros Definition to lay up, store up NASB Translation reserved (1), save (2), store (2), stored up...treasure (1), stores up treasure (1), storing (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2343: θησαυρίζωθησαυρίζω; 1 aorist ἐθησαυρισα; perfect passive participle τεθησαυρισμενος; (θησαυρός); from Herodotus down; to gather and lay up, to heap up, store up: to accumulate riches, James 5:3; τίνι, Luke 12:21; 2 Corinthians 12:14; τί, 1 Corinthians 16:2; θησαυρούς ἐηαύτω, Matthew 6:19f; equivalent to to keep in store, store up, reserve: passive 2 Peter 3:7; metaphorically, so to live from day to day as to increase either the bitterness or the happiness of one's consequent lot: ὀργήν ἑαυτῷ, Romans 2:5; κακά, Proverbs 1:18; ζωήν, Psalms of Solomon 9, 9 (ἐυτυχιαν, Appendix, Samn. 4, 3 (i. e. vol. i., p. 23, 31 edition, Bekker); τεθησαυρισμενος κατά τίνος φθόνος, Diodorus 20, 36). (Compare: ἀποθησαυρίζω.) Topical Lexicon Meaning and Scope The verb denotes the intentional laying up of treasure, whether material or immaterial, for future use. It always carries the idea of deliberate accumulation rather than casual possession. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. Matthew 6:19 — “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.” Old Testament Background The Septuagint often uses cognate vocabulary to translate Hebrew roots conveying the accumulation of treasure (for example Proverbs 10:2; Proverbs 13:22). In prophetic literature, hoarded riches frequently signify arrogance and impending judgment (Isaiah 23:18; Ezekiel 28:4–5). This backdrop informs New Testament usage: treasure can either magnify faithfulness or expose idolatry. Ethical Duality of Storing Up 1. Faithful Provision: Paul appeals to parents (2 Corinthians 12:14) and congregations (1 Corinthians 16:2) to lay aside resources for the welfare of others. The verb therefore validates prudent foresight when motivated by love and generosity. Eschatological Dimension Matthew 6 and Luke 12 present a heavenly account ledger: believers invest in eternal reward through generosity and devotion. Conversely, Romans 2 and James 5 describe the wicked accumulating divine wrath. The same verb underscores the certainty of future recompense—positive or negative. Integration with Jesus’ Teaching on the Heart “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). Storing up is never merely economic; it reveals the spiritual orientation of the heart toward God or toward self. Stewardship in Early Church Practice Paul’s directive in 1 Corinthians 16:2 institutionalizes systematic, proportionate giving. The act of putting aside a sum each week displays disciplined stewardship that anticipates future ministry needs without last-minute pressure. Pastoral Implications Today • Encourage believers to evaluate savings, investments, and possessions in light of eternity. Summary The verb calls every disciple to choose between stockpiling transient riches or laying up imperishable treasure with God. Its eight New Testament appearances span Jesus’ foundational teaching, apostolic instruction, and eschatological warning, uniting the canon in a consistent call to faithful, eternal-minded stewardship. Forms and Transliterations εθησαύρισαν εθησαυρισατε εθησαυρίσατε ἐθησαυρίσατε εθησαύρισεν θησαυρίζει θησαυριζειν θησαυρίζειν θησαυριζεις θησαυρίζεις θησαυρίζεται θησαυριζετε θησαυρίζετε θησαυρίζοντες θησαυρίζουσιν θησαυριζων θησαυρίζων θησαυρίσματα τεθησαυρισμενοι τεθησαυρισμένοι ethesaurisate ethesaurísate ethēsaurisate ethēsaurísate tethesaurismenoi tethesaurisménoi tethēsaurismenoi tethēsaurisménoi thesaurizein thesaurízein thēsaurizein thēsaurízein thesaurizeis thesaurízeis thēsaurizeis thēsaurízeis thesaurizete thesaurízete thēsaurizete thēsaurízete thesaurizon thesaurízon thēsaurizōn thēsaurízōnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 6:19 V-PMA-2PGRK: Μὴ θησαυρίζετε ὑμῖν θησαυροὺς NAS: Do not store up for yourselves KJV: Lay not up for yourselves treasures INT: not store up up for yourselves treasures Matthew 6:20 V-PMA-2P Luke 12:21 V-PPA-NMS Romans 2:5 V-PIA-2S 1 Corinthians 16:2 V-PPA-NMS 2 Corinthians 12:14 V-PNA James 5:3 V-AIA-2P 2 Peter 3:7 V-RPM/P-NMP Strong's Greek 2343 |