Lexicon philarguria: Love of money, avarice, greed Original Word: φιλαργυρία
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: philarguria
Pronunciation: fee-lar-goo-REE-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (fil-ar-goo-ree'-ah)
Definition: Love of money, avarice, greed
Meaning: love of money, avarice, covetousness. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance love of money. From philarguros; avarice -- love of money. see GREEK philarguros NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom philargurosDefinitionlove of money, avarice NASB Translationlove of money (1).
Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5365: φιλαργυρίαφιλαργυρία, φιλαργυριας, ἡ ( φιλάργυρος), love of money, avarice: 1 Timothy 6:10. ( Isocrates, Polybius, Cebes ( ) tab. c. 23; Diodorus 5, 26; ((Diogenes Laërtius 6, 50; Stobaeus, flor. 10, 38; Philo de mat. nom. § 40); Plutarch, Lucian, Herodian, 6, 9, 17 (8); 4 Macc. 1:26.) (Cf. Trench, Synonyms, § xxiv.)
Topical Lexicon Word Origin: Derived from φίλος (philos, meaning "loving" or "fond of") and ἄργυρος (argyros, meaning "silver" or "money").Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for φιλαργυρία, similar concepts can be found in the Old Testament, such as:
• Strong's Hebrew 1215 (בֶּצַע, betsa): Meaning "gain" or "profit," often used in contexts of unjust gain or covetousness.
• Strong's Hebrew 3701 (כֶּסֶף, keseph): Meaning "silver" or "money," frequently associated with wealth and material possessions.
These Hebrew terms reflect the broader biblical theme of caution against the pursuit of wealth at the expense of spiritual and ethical integrity. Usage: The term φιλαργυρία is used in the New Testament to describe an excessive or inappropriate desire for wealth, often leading to moral and spiritual corruption. Context: • Contextual Overview: In the New Testament, φιλαργυρία is highlighted as a significant moral failing that can lead individuals away from faith and righteousness. It is often associated with other vices and is seen as a root cause of various forms of evil.
• Biblical References: The most direct reference to φιλαργυρία is found in 1 Timothy 6:10, where it is stated, "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows" (BSB). This passage underscores the spiritual dangers associated with an inordinate desire for wealth.
• Theological Implications: From a theological perspective, φιλαργυρία is viewed as a form of idolatry, where money becomes an object of worship, replacing God in one's life. It is a condition of the heart that reflects misplaced priorities and a lack of trust in God's provision.
• Moral and Ethical Considerations: The New Testament warns believers to guard against φιλαργυρία, encouraging contentment and generosity instead. The pursuit of wealth for its own sake is contrasted with the virtues of humility, stewardship, and reliance on God's grace.
• Historical and Cultural Context: In the Greco-Roman world, wealth was often equated with power and status. The early Christian community, however, was called to a countercultural stance, valuing spiritual riches over material wealth and promoting communal sharing and support. Forms and Transliterations φιλαργυρια φιλαργυρία φιλαργυρίαν philarguria philargyria philargyríaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
