3410. misthóma

Lexical Summary

misthóma: Hire, wages, payment, rent

Original Word: μίσθωμα
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: misthóma
Pronunciation: mis'-tho-mah
Phonetic Spelling: (mis'-tho-mah)
KJV: hired house
NASB: rented quarters
Word Origin: [from G3409 (μισθόω - hire)]

1. a rented building

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

rented house.

From misthoo; a rented building -- hired house.

see GREEK misthoo

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from misthoó
Definition
rent, a rented house
NASB Translation
rented quarters (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3410: μίσθωμα

μίσθωμα, μισθώματος, τό (μισθόω);

1. the price for which anything is either let or hired (Herodotus, Isocrates, Demosthenes, Aelian, others; of a harlot's hire, Hosea 2:12; Deuteronomy 23:18; Micah 1:7; Proverbs 19:13; Ezekiel 16:31-34, and in classical Greek (cf. Philo in Flac. § 16 at the end)).

2. that which is either let or hired for a price, as a house, dwelling, lodging ((cf. Lightfoot's Commentary on Philip., p. 9 note 3)): Acts 28:30.

Topical Lexicon

Scriptural Context

Strong’s Greek 3410 occurs once, describing Paul’s “own rented house” in Rome: “Paul stayed there two full years in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to visit him” (Acts 28:30). The term defines the physical space that Paul legally secured while awaiting trial before Caesar, a setting that became a strategic base for gospel outreach.

Historical Setting of Acts 28:30

• Date: Circa A.D. 60–62, under Emperor Nero’s early reign.
• Legal status: Paul was under house arrest, chained to a Praetorian guard (Acts 28:16), yet permitted to rent private lodgings instead of confinement in a military barracks or public prison.
• Financial source: Either Paul’s personal tent-making income (Acts 18:3) or gifts from supporting churches such as Philippi (Philippians 4:15–18) covered the rent, demonstrating the partnership ethic of early congregations.

Paul’s Ministry in the Rented Quarters

1. Unhindered proclamation. Acts 28:31 notes that Paul preached “with all boldness and without hindrance,” showing that Caesar’s custody could not silence the gospel.
2. Jewish evangelism. He first convened the local Jewish leaders in this dwelling (Acts 28:17–24), expounding “the kingdom of God” from morning till evening.
3. Gentile inclusion. When some Jews remained unconvinced, salvation’s message went “to the Gentiles” (Acts 28:28); the house effectively became Rome’s first Christian training center.
4. Literary productivity. From this address Paul penned Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon, letters permeated with themes of joy, unity and spiritual riches—proof that rented walls cannot contain divine revelation.

Theology of Provision and Mission

• God funds His work. The rented house mirrors Elijah’s supplied ravens (1 Kings 17:6) and Nehemiah’s Persian sponsorship (Nehemiah 2:7-9). Earthly landlords arrange contracts, yet ultimate provision comes from the Lord (Philippians 4:19).
• Stewardship over ownership. Paul did not need personal property to achieve eternal fruit; a temporary lease was sufficient. Believers are stewards, not ultimate proprietors (1 Corinthians 4:2).
• Hospitality as mission strategy. By welcoming “all who came,” Paul lived the principle later urged in Hebrews 13:2—open doors invite gospel conversations.

Relation to Biblical Concepts of Hire

The cognate root μισθ- recurs in misthos (“wages,” Luke 10:7) and misthoo (“to hire,” Matthew 20:1). Whereas those words focus on payment, μίσθωμα highlights the object acquired through payment. Paul’s experience illustrates a redirection of commercial structures—rental markets, contracts and coins—toward kingdom purposes.

Practical Applications for Today

• Renting or leasing can be a valid platform for ministry—campuses, storefronts, apartments, or homes may become centers of discipleship.
• Churches should budget to free missionaries and pastors from unnecessary hardship, following the Philippian model of consistent support.
• The gospel flourishes under restrictions; believers in restricted nations may take courage from Paul’s fruitful confinement.

Related References

Acts 28:16; Acts 28:23–31

Philippians 1:12–13

Ephesians 6:19–20

Colossians 4:3

Summary

μίσθωμα underscores how God turns ordinary, rented space into extraordinary arenas for the advance of the kingdom. Paul’s two-year tenure in his hired house confirms that the gospel cannot be quarantined; wherever the Lord provides lodging, He also supplies opportunity, boldness and lasting harvest.

Forms and Transliterations

μίσθωμα μισθώματα μισθώματά μισθωματι μισθώματι μισθώματος μισθωμάτων misthomati misthōmati misthṓmati

Englishman's Concordance

Acts 28:30 N-DNS
GRK: ἐν ἰδίῳ μισθώματι καὶ ἀπεδέχετο
NAS: in his own rented quarters and was welcoming
KJV: in his own hired house, and received
INT: in his own rented house and welcomed

Strong's Greek 3410
1 Occurrence

μισθώματι — 1 Occ.