4813. sulaó

Lexical Summary

sulaó: To despoil, to plunder, to strip

Original Word: συλάω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: sulaó
Pronunciation: soo-lah'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (soo-lah'-o)
KJV: rob
NASB: robbed
Word Origin: [from a derivative of sullo "to strip" (probably akin to G138 (αἱρέομαι - choose))]

1. to despoil

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

rob.

From a derivative of sullo (to strip; probably akin to haireomai; compare skulon); to despoil -- rob.

see GREEK haireomai

see GREEK skulon

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 4813 syláō – properly, to plunder, exercising "right of seizure" to strip and take spoil (like seizing spoils of war). See 4812 (sylagōgeō).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from sulé (booty)
Definition
to plunder
NASB Translation
robbed (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4813: συλάω

συλάω, σύλω: 1 aorist ἐσύλησα; ((akin to) σύλη 'spoil' (allied with σκῦλον (which see, yet cf.) Curtius, p. 696)); from Homer down; to rob, despoil: τινα, 2 Corinthians 11:8.

Topical Lexicon

Literary Setting

The single New Testament occurrence of Strong’s 4813 is found in Paul’s passionate defense of his apostolic ministry to Corinth (2 Corinthians 11:8). In the surrounding context (2 Corinthians 11:1-15), Paul exposes “super-apostles” who were exploiting the church, contrasting their greed with his own self-denying service. He deliberately selects a word normally reserved for violent seizure to accent how far he had been willing to go—if necessary “plundering” the generosity of other congregations—to spare Corinth any financial burden.

Textual Citation

“I robbed other churches by accepting their support in order to serve you.” (2 Corinthians 11:8)

Apostolic Financial Integrity

1. Voluntary Self-Limitation
• Paul had the God-given right to receive material aid (1 Corinthians 9:4-14), yet he often refused local support to avoid hindering the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:12; 2 Corinthians 12:13).
• By accepting gifts from Macedonia (Philippians 4:15-16) while declining help from Corinth, he demonstrated that true ministers value the spiritual welfare of hearers above personal comfort.

2. Rhetorical Hyperbole
• The verb’s normally negative connotation underscores Paul’s irony: the only “theft” involved was his redirecting of funds willingly given by other believers for the sake of new mission fields.
• This forceful language rebukes the Corinthian congregation’s readiness to support false teachers while questioning a genuine apostle’s motives.

Inter-Church Partnership

The verse illustrates an early network of cooperative generosity:

• Macedonian churches gave “beyond their ability” (2 Corinthians 8:3-4).
• Their sacrificial participation enabled gospel advance in wealthier yet spiritually immature Corinth.
• Such partnership fulfills the principle that “he who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little” (2 Corinthians 8:15).

Contrast with Exploitative Workers

False ministers “enslave” and “take advantage” (2 Corinthians 11:20). Paul’s willingness to labor at tentmaking (Acts 18:3) and accept distant support set a moral plumb line:

• Authentic service ministers the gospel free of charge when circumstances require (1 Thessalonians 2:9).
• Wolves fleece the flock; shepherds feed it (John 10:12-13; Ezekiel 34:2-3).

Theology of Giving and Receiving

1. Grace-Based Generosity
• Giving is described as “the grace of God” (2 Corinthians 8:1), not mere obligation.
• Support of ministry is participation in the harvest (Philippians 4:17).

2. Stewardship and Accountability
• Churches must discern worthy recipients of their funds (3 John 5-8).
• Ministers must guard against real or perceived covetousness (Acts 20:33-35).

Historical Parallels

The Septuagint often uses related terms for stripping enemies after victory (e.g., Exodus 12:36; 2 Chronicles 20:25). Paul appropriates the martial imagery to depict a spiritual campaign: resources wrested from darkness are reinvested in kingdom advance rather than personal enrichment.

Contemporary Applications

• Mission Strategy: Mature congregations should underwrite pioneering work where the gospel is under-resourced.
• Ethical Fundraising: Appeals must highlight partnership in grace, not manipulative obligation.
• Ministerial Lifestyle: Leaders imitate Paul by embracing tentmaking or external support when that better serves the flock.

Summary

Strong’s 4813, though occurring only once, powerfully encapsulates Paul’s radical commitment to gospel purity, his expectation of inter-church solidarity, and the ongoing mandate for transparent, sacrificial stewardship in Christian ministry.

Forms and Transliterations

εσυλησα εσύλησα ἐσύλησα esulesa esulēsa esylesa esylēsa esýlesa esýlēsa

Englishman's Concordance

2 Corinthians 11:8 V-AIA-1S
GRK: ἄλλας ἐκκλησίας ἐσύλησα λαβὼν ὀψώνιον
NAS: I robbed other churches
KJV: I robbed other churches,
INT: Other churches I robbed having received support

Strong's Greek 4813
1 Occurrence

ἐσύλησα — 1 Occ.