4595. sépó

Lexical Summary

sépó: To rot, to decay, to become corrupt

Original Word: σήπω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: sépó
Pronunciation: SAY-po
Phonetic Spelling: (say'-po)
KJV: be corrupted
NASB: rotted
Word Origin: [apparently a primary verb]

1. to putrefy
2. (figuratively) perish

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

be corrupted, perish

Apparently a primary verb; to putrefy, i.e. (figuratively) perish -- be corrupted.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. verb
Definition
to make corrupt, pass. become corrupt
NASB Translation
rotted (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4595: σήπω

σήπω: 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
• In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus warns, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy” (Matthew 6:19). James echoes the same certainty of decay.
2. Moral Decay Mirrored in Physical Decay
• External rot points to internal corruption (cf. Isaiah 1:6; Luke 12:15-21). A heart ruled by greed is itself decomposing; the ruined wealth simply manifests that hidden condition.
3. Divine Justice for Economic Oppression
• James ties rot to unpaid wages (James 5:4-6). The decayed riches serve as evidence in God’s courtroom, validating the cries of the defrauded.
4. Eschatological Certainty
• The perfect verb anticipates the Day of the Lord, when the transience of earthly glory will be publicly exposed (2 Peter 3:10-12).

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.
• Job 13:28 describes the human body as “something decayed, like a garment eaten by moths.”

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).
2. Generosity as Antidote to Rot: “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide yourselves purses that will not wear out” (Luke 12:33).
3. Sobriety in Evaluation of Success: Ministries must measure fruit by faithfulness, not accumulated assets that can silently decay.
4. Encouragement to the Oppressed: James offers hope that God sees and will act; economic injustice will not go unanswered.

Homiletical Uses

• Illustrate the self-deception of apparent prosperity with real-world images of abandoned mansions overtaken by mildew.
• Contrast perfect-tense certainty of rot with perfect-tense certainty of redemption: “It is finished” (John 19:30).

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 sésēpen

Englishman's Concordance

James 5:2 V-RIA-3S
GRK: πλοῦτος ὑμῶν σέσηπεν καὶ τὰ
NAS: Your riches have rotted and your garments
KJV: Your riches are corrupted, and your
INT: riches of you have rotted and the

Strong's Greek 4595
1 Occurrence

σέσηπεν — 1 Occ.