Lexical Summary philarguros: Loving money, covetous Original Word: φιλάργυρος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance covetous. From philos and arguros; fond of silver (money), i.e. Avaricious -- covetous. see GREEK philos see GREEK arguros HELPS Word-studies 5366 philárgyros (from 5384 /phílos, "lover" and 696 /árgyros, "of silver") – properly, a lover of money (literally, silver) – i.e. someone (literally) "in love with personal gain (having money)." NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom philos and arguros Definition loving money NASB Translation lovers of money (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5366: φιλάργυροςφιλάργυρος, φιλαργυρον (φίλος and ἄργυρος), loving money, avaricious: Luke 16:14; 2 Timothy 3:2. (Sophocles, Xenophon, Plato, others.) Topical Lexicon Usage in Scripture Luke 16:14 portrays the Pharisees as “lovers of money” (philargyroi), revealing a heart posture that stood in stark contrast to the self-sacrificial generosity Jesus had just commended in the parable of the shrewd manager. In 2 Timothy 3:2 Paul lists “lovers of money” among the vices that will characterize people in the last days, placing the term beside arrogance, disobedience, and lack of holiness. In both settings the adjective functions as a moral diagnosis, exposing an inordinate attachment to wealth that competes with devotion to God. Contextual Background First-century Palestine and the wider Greco-Roman world valued social honor, patronage, and financial clout. Religious leaders could easily equate material prosperity with divine favor, while Roman culture applauded the patron who displayed largesse yet secretly exploited clients for personal gain. Against this backdrop, Jesus’ and Paul’s condemnation of philargyria cut through cultural norms, asserting that financial affection, when enthroned, becomes idolatry (cf. Matthew 6:24). Theological Significance 1. Idol Substitution: Love for money displaces love for God, directly violating the first commandment (Exodus 20:3). Contrast with Biblical Teaching on Stewardship Scripture consistently calls for contentment (Hebrews 13:5), cheerful generosity (2 Corinthians 9:7), and recognition that all wealth belongs to God (Psalm 24:1). The early Jerusalem church exemplified this ethos: “They sold property and possessions and shared with anyone who had need” (Acts 2:45). Philargyria therefore stands opposite biblical stewardship, which treats money as a divinely entrusted tool rather than a cherished master. Warnings to Ministry Leaders Greed disqualifies an overseer (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7). The Pharisees’ failure illustrates how religious authority can mask covetous motives, leading to hypocrisy that undermines gospel witness. Contemporary ministers are thus admonished to cultivate integrity in financial dealings, transparency in handling offerings, and contentment in personal lifestyle. Practical Applications for Believers • Examine motives: Stewardship begins with discerning whether saving, investing, or purchasing arises from wisdom or concealed love of money. Related Terms and Concepts Covetousness (pleonexia), mammonas (mammon), and aphilargyros (“free from the love of money,” Hebrews 13:5) form a semantic field that amplifies Scripture’s unified stance: riches are a blessing when subordinated to God, but a snare when adored. Conclusion Philargyroi appear only twice in the Greek New Testament, yet the concept threads through the entire canon, warning God’s people that affection for silver corrodes faith. By heeding these warnings, embracing contentment, and practicing generosity, believers reflect the character of the One who, “though He was rich, yet for your sakes became poor, so that through His poverty you might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). Forms and Transliterations φιλαργυροι φιλάργυροι philarguroi philargyroi philárgyroiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 16:14 Adj-NMPGRK: οἱ Φαρισαῖοι φιλάργυροι ὑπάρχοντες καὶ NAS: the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening KJV: also, who were covetous, heard all INT: the Pharisees lovers of money being and 2 Timothy 3:2 Adj-NMP |
    |