Lexical Summary chalkos: Bronze, brass, copper Original Word: χαλκός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance money, copper or bronzePerhaps from chalao through the idea of hollowing out as a vessel (this metal being chiefly used for that purpose); copper (the substance, or some implement or coin made of it) -- brass, money. see GREEK chalao NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition copper or bronze NASB Translation bronze (1), copper (1), gong (1), money (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5475: χαλκόςχαλκός, χαλκοῦ, ὁ, from Homer down, the Sept. for נְחֹשֶׁת, brass: 1 Corinthians 13:1; Revelation 18:12; (like the Latinaes) what is made of brass, money, coins of brass (also of silver and of gold), Matthew 10:9; Mark 6:8; Mark 12:41. (B. D., under the word Brass; Dict. of Antiq., under the wordaes.) Topical Lexicon Physical and Economic Importance of Copper and Bronze in the Biblical World Copper and its alloys (commonly called bronze or brass in older English versions) were indispensable metals in the ancient Near East. Easier to smelt than iron and resistant to corrosion, copper provided fittings for the tabernacle, musical instruments, coins, mirrors, weapons, and works of art. Because the metal was relatively plentiful yet valuable, it often functioned as small-change currency, a fact reflected in several New Testament scenes where chalkos appears in a monetary context. Summary of New Testament Occurrences 1. Matthew 10:9 These five passages distribute the word across Gospel instruction, temple observation, apostolic exhortation, and apocalyptic prophecy, showing diverse theological applications built upon a single everyday material. Dependence on God vs. Monetary Reserves (Matthew 10:9; Mark 6:8) “Do not carry any gold or silver or copper in your belts.” (Matthew 10:9) In sending the Twelve, Jesus deliberately removed the normal financial safety net. Copper coins—least valuable of the listed metals—stand for all material resources. By traveling without them, the disciples demonstrated the sufficiency of divine provision and the integrity of the message. Mark 6:8 repeats the same ban: “no money in their belts,” reinforcing the principle that gospel ministry is not to be confused with commercial enterprise. The instruction does not forbid responsible planning in every circumstance (compare Luke 22:35–36), but it permanently establishes that reliance on funds or fundraising must never eclipse reliance on the One who owns “the cattle on a thousand hills” (Psalm 50:10). Worship and Stewardship in the Temple (Mark 12:41) “Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and watched the crowd putting money into it. Many rich people put in large amounts.” (Mark 12:41) Temple receptacles were made of bronze and received copper coinage. The Lord’s gaze penetrated beyond the metallic clink to the hearts behind each gift. He commends the poor widow’s two “lepta” (a pair of tiny chalkoi, Mark 12:42) because sacrificial devotion measures value differently from market exchange. The passage challenges all generations to give not by surplus but by surrender, trusting God who “sees in secret” (Matthew 6:4). Sound Without Substance (1 Corinthians 13:1) “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal.” The “ringing gong” (literally “resounding bronze”) evokes the hollow noise made by striking thin bronze plates used in pagan rites and certain Hellenistic theaters. Paul compares loveless eloquence—even supernatural utterance—to that empty din. Copper here serves as an acoustic metaphor: brilliant in resonance yet void of enduring worth. True spirituality must carry the weight of agapē, or it becomes a showy but worthless performance. The Wealth of Babylon and Eschatological Judgment (Revelation 18:12) The fall of end-time Babylon lists bronze alongside gold, silver, jewels, and fine fabrics. By the first century, copper production in Cyprus, Spain, and the Arabian Peninsula fueled Mediterranean commerce; Revelation records its final collapse. The inclusion of chalkos confirms the totality of the judgment: not merely luxury items but also everyday trade goods will fail those who trust in them. The scene warns believers to separate from a world-system destined for ruin and to invest in the imperishable kingdom. Old Testament Background Although chalkos itself is a New Testament term, bronze saturates Old Testament imagery. Key examples include: In prophetic literature bronze often symbolizes strength or stubbornness (Jeremiah 1:18; Ezekiel 22:18). These antecedents enrich New Testament passages where chalkos functions either literally (coins, cargo) or figuratively (sound, strength). Christological Foreshadows Bronze in the courtyard altar signifies substitutionary judgment borne outside the holy place. Jesus’ instruction to travel without copper money anticipates His own poverty for our sake (2 Corinthians 8:9). The widow’s coppers foreshadow the costly self-giving of Christ. Even the noisy brass that profits nothing without love reminds the church that all gifts must mirror the sacrificial love of the Savior, or they lose their meaning. Practical Ministry Insights • Provision: Trust God’s supply—lack of visible funds is no excuse for withholding the gospel. Concluding Reflection From missionary belts emptied of coins to the booming gong of loveless religion, from a widow’s humble offering to the doomed cargo of Babylon, chalkos traces a line that calls each believer to examine motives, measure wealth rightly, and anchor hope in the Lord who refines His people “as silver and gold are refined” (Zechariah 13:9), yet claims even the common copper for His glory. Forms and Transliterations χαλκον χαλκόν χαλκὸν χαλκος χαλκός χαλκὸς χαλκου χαλκού χαλκοῦ χαλκώ chalkon chalkón chalkòn chalkos chalkòs chalkou chalkoûLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 10:9 N-AMSGRK: ἄργυρον μηδὲ χαλκὸν εἰς τὰς NAS: or copper for your money belts, KJV: silver, nor brass in your INT: silver nor money in the Mark 6:8 N-AMS Mark 12:41 N-AMS 1 Corinthians 13:1 N-NMS Revelation 18:12 N-GMS Strong's Greek 5475 |
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