Lexical Summary sépó: To rot, to decay, to become corrupt Original Word: σήπω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance be corrupted, perishApparently a primary verb; to putrefy, i.e. (figuratively) perish -- be corrupted. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. verb Definition to make corrupt, pass. become corrupt NASB Translation rotted (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4595: σήπωσήπω: from Homer down; to make corrupt; in the Bible also to destroy, Job 40:7 (12); passive, to become corrupt or rotten; 2 perfect active σέσηπα, to (have become i. e. to) be corrupted (cf. Alexander Buttmann (1873) Ausf. Spr. ii., p. 82): ὁ πλοῦτος σέσηπεν, has perished, James 5:2. Topical Lexicon Semantic Field and Biblical Setting The perfect-tense form σέσηπεν in James 5:2 captures an accomplished, irreversible state of rot. The imagery goes beyond the mere spoiling of fabric or produce; it stands for the total futility of earthly riches when they are hoarded in selfish isolation from God’s purposes. Singular New Testament Occurrence: James 5:1-6 James, addressing wealthy landowners who exploit day-laborers, announces impending judgment: “Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded” (James 5:2-3). The perfect tense underscores that, in God’s eyes, their possessions are already ruined even while they appear intact on earth. The rot of verse 2 is therefore prophetic—exposing an unseen spiritual reality that will soon break into history. Theological Themes 1. Impermanence of Material Possessions Historical Background First-century “riches” commonly took the form of stored grain, fine garments, and precious metals. Grain molds, cloth hosts moth larvae, and metals tarnish—familiar processes that gave James’s readers a vivid lesson. The rot of stored grain was especially poignant in agrarian Galilee; hoarding food during shortage was a social sin condemned by the prophets (cf. Amos 8:4-6). Old Testament Parallels • Hosea 5:12 speaks of God’s judgment as “rot” to Ephraim. These texts reinforce James’s prophetic tone and demonstrate continuity in the biblical witness: physical decay images divine retribution against pride and oppression. Pastoral and Discipleship Application 1. Stewardship over Hoarding: Believers are to treat wealth as a trust for kingdom service (1 Timothy 6:17-19). Homiletical Uses • Illustrate the self-deception of apparent prosperity with real-world images of abandoned mansions overtaken by mildew. Summary σέσηπεν in James 5:2 serves as a terse but potent symbol of the end result of covetousness: inevitable, irreversible ruin. The lone occurrence carries the cumulative weight of biblical teaching on decay, warning every generation that only treasures laid up in Christ are incorruptible. Forms and Transliterations εσάπησαν σαπήσεται σαπώσιν σέσηπε σεσηπεν σέσηπεν σεσηπότα σήψον sesepen sesēpen sésepen sésēpenLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |