4230. pragmateia

Lexical Summary

pragmateia: Business, occupation, transaction

Original Word: πραγματεία
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: pragmateia
Pronunciation: prag-mat-i'-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (prag-mat-i'-ah)
KJV: affair
NASB: affairs
Word Origin: [from G4231 (πραγματεύομαι - do business)]

1. a transaction, i.e. negotiation

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

negotiation, transaction

From pragmateuomai; a transaction, i.e. Negotiation -- affair.

see GREEK pragmateuomai

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 4230 pragmateía – a necessary daily (business) transaction. See 4231 (pragmateuomai).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from pragmateuomai
Definition
careful application, hard work
NASB Translation
affairs (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4230: πραγματεία

πραγματεία (T WH πραγματια; see Iota), πραγματείας, ἡ (πραγματεύομαι), prosecution of any affair; business, occupation: plural with the addition of τοῦ βίου, pursuits and occupations pertaining to civil life, opposed to warfare (A. V. the affairs of this life), 2 Timothy 2:4 (In the same and other senses in Greek writings from (Hippocrates), Xenophon, Plato down.)

Topical Lexicon

Scope of the Term

Strong’s Greek 4230 (πραγματεία) appears once in the New Testament (2 Timothy 2:4). It denotes the array of normal, day-to-day pursuits that typify civilian life—commerce, domestic responsibilities, social engagements, and the like—contrasted with the single-minded focus demanded of a soldier on active duty.

Military Metaphor and Christian Discipleship

Paul’s use of πραγμετείαις anchors a vivid military image:

“No soldier in service entangles himself in the affairs of civilian life, because he wants to please the one who enlisted him.” (2 Timothy 2:4)

Roman soldiers relinquished personal enterprises during a campaign; any divided allegiance could endanger the unit. Paul applies that principle to Timothy—and by extension every believer—urging freedom from distractions that blunt effectiveness in Christ’s service (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:7; Ephesians 6:10-17).

Historical Background

In the first century, enlistment bound a soldier to his commander’s authority. Personal business was postponed or transferred to family guardians. Jewish listeners were already familiar with the Torah principle that new soldiers were excused from planting, marriage, or home-building to concentrate on the battle (Deuteronomy 20:5-7). Paul weaves these cultural and Old Testament threads into a pastoral charge for spiritual warfare.

Contrast with Legitimate Responsibilities

Scripture never condemns work, marriage, or family (Genesis 2:24; 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12). The issue is entanglement—a web that hampers movement. “The worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things” choke the word (Mark 4:19). Paul’s counsel echoes Jesus’ call to seek first the kingdom (Matthew 6:33).

Integration with Broader Biblical Teaching

• Luke 10:40 – Martha “distracted” by service, missing Christ’s presence.
• 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 – Paul highlights the spiritual advantage of an undivided heart.
• 1 John 2:15 – Love for the world eclipses love for the Father.
• Hebrews 12:1 – Throw off every hindrance to run with endurance.

Together these passages underscore a consistent theme: fruitful ministry requires disentanglement from competing allegiances.

Practical Implications for Ministry

1. Vocational Clarity: Whether pastor, missionary, or lay disciple, believers must identify pursuits that sap spiritual vigor—overloaded schedules, consumerism, digital noise—and yield them to Christ’s command.
2. Stewardship, not Abdication: Paul himself labored at tent-making (Acts 18:3). The issue is priority; earthly tasks become subordinate to kingdom directives.
3. Church Leadership: Elders and deacons model this focus, “holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience” (1 Timothy 3:9). Congregations flourish when leaders resist entanglements that compromise vigilance (Acts 20:28).
4. Spiritual Warfare Readiness: An unencumbered soldier keeps armor polished and senses alert (1 Peter 5:8). Likewise the believer keeps short accounts with God, quick to obey marching orders (James 1:22).

Cautions and Balances

• Withdrawal from society is not prescribed; salt and light must remain in contact (Matthew 5:13-16).
• Providential duties—caring for family, earning a living—are affirmed (1 Timothy 5:8). The command is against becoming ensnared, not engaged.
• Seasons differ: a young parent’s rhythm will not mirror that of an itinerant evangelist. Wisdom discerns God’s assignment in each life stage (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

Encouragement to Please the Enlisting Officer

The ultimate motive is relational: “to please the One who enlisted him.” Christ’s commendation—“Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23)—fuels diligence. Assurance of His approval liberates the believer from clamoring for worldly affirmation.

Summary

Πραγματεία spotlights the tension between temporal pursuits and eternal mission. Paul’s solitary use of the term in 2 Timothy 2:4 encapsulates a timeless exhortation: disentangle from civilian distractions, devote yourself wholly to the Commander’s call, and pursue His pleasure above all.

Forms and Transliterations

πραγματεία πραγματείαι πραγματείαις πραγματείαν πραγματιαις πραγματίαις pragmateiais pragmateíais

Englishman's Concordance

2 Timothy 2:4 N-DFP
GRK: τοῦ βίου πραγματείαις ἵνα τῷ
NAS: entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life,
KJV: entangleth himself with the affairs of [this] life;
INT: of this life affairs that the [one]

Strong's Greek 4230
1 Occurrence

πραγματείαις — 1 Occ.