Lexical Summary chréma: Wealth, money, possessions, resources Original Word: χρῆμα Strong's Exhaustive Concordance money, riches. Something useful or needed, i.e. Wealth, price -- money, riches. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom chraomai Definition a thing that one uses or needs NASB Translation money (4), wealthy (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5536: χρῆμαχρῆμα, χρηματος, τό (χράομαι), in Greek writings whatever is for use, whatever one uses, a thing, matter, affair, event, business; specifically, money (rarely so in the singular in secular authors, as Herodotus 3, 38; Diodorus 13, 106 (cf. Liddell and Scott, under the word I. under the end)): Acts 4:37; plural riches (often in Greek writings from Homer, Odyssey 2, 78; 16, 315 etc. down), Mark 10:24 (T WH omit; Tr marginal reading brackets the clause); οἱ τά χρήματα ἔχοντες, they that have riches, Mark 10:23; Luke 18:24; money, Acts 8:18, 20; Acts 24:26 (for כֶּסֶף, silver, Job 27:17; for נִכָסִים, riches, Joshua 22:8; 2 Chronicles 1:11f). Topical Lexicon Nature of the TermThe noun refers to material assets—property, possessions, money—viewed as usable resources rather than abstract wealth. In every New Testament context it points to tangible means that can be spent, transferred, given, or hoarded. The focus is never on currency as such, but on what it reveals about human allegiance and the advance (or hindrance) of the gospel. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. Mark 10:23-24; Luke 18:24 – Jesus warns that reliance on material wealth blocks entry into the kingdom of God. Seven occurrences form two clusters: the Synoptic warning to the rich and the Lukan-Acts testimony to how the early church handled money, both positively and negatively. Old Testament and Septuagint Background In the Septuagint the same root often translates Hebrew terms for “wealth” (for example, Proverbs 13:7), already framing riches as morally ambivalent—capable of blessing under covenant obedience yet prone to foster pride. This backdrop informs Jesus’ teaching and apostolic practice. Jesus’ Perspective on Riches Mark 10 and Luke 18 place the term on the lips of Jesus immediately after His encounter with the rich young ruler. His declaration, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” (Mark 10:23), confronts the heart-bond that possessions can create. The difficulty lies not in possessing money but in trusting it (cf. Mark 10:24’s textual note), a trust incompatible with childlike dependence on God. Early Church Practice Acts 4:37 highlights the Spirit-borne generosity of Barnabas: “he brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet”. Here the term signifies resources transferred from private control to communal stewardship for ministry and mercy. The contrasting narrative of Acts 8 exposes the corrosive effect of monetary motives on spiritual authenticity. Peter’s words to Simon—“May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!” (Acts 8:20)—establish a precedent that divine grace cannot be monetized. Warnings Against Corruption Acts 24:26 demonstrates the broader Greco-Roman culture of bribery. Felix’s hope that Paul would “offer him money” shows how civil authority could be compromised by financial self-interest—a temptation the apostle resisted, choosing instead to suffer unjust confinement. Theological Significance Positively, material goods can become instruments of love, fellowship, and mission (Acts 4). Negatively, they are snares when they supplant faith (Mark 10), attempt to manipulate the Spirit (Acts 8), or subvert justice (Acts 24). The term therefore functions as a spiritual litmus test: possessions reveal whether a heart treasures God or self. Historical Context In first-century Palestine and throughout the Empire, wealth accumulation signified honor and security. Patron-client relationships, temple commerce, and Roman taxation structured society around financial leverage. The gospel confronted this worldview by redefining greatness through service and generosity. Principles for Christian Stewardship • Ownership is provisional; believers are managers under God’s lordship (see also 1 Corinthians 4:1-2). Ministry Application Today Church leaders guard against monetizing ministry, whether through manipulative fundraising or the promise of blessing for payment. Believers are urged to hold possessions loosely, leveraging them for evangelism, relief of the poor, and the strengthening of the body of Christ. The seven New Testament occurrences of this word together exhort the church: use money; do not let money use you. Forms and Transliterations χρημα χρήμα χρῆμα χρήμασι χρημασιν χρήμασιν χρηματα χρήματα χρηματων χρημάτων chrema chrêma chrēma chrē̂ma chremasin chrēmasin chrḗmasin chremata chrēmata chrḗmata chrematon chremáton chrēmatōn chrēmátōnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Mark 10:23 N-ANPGRK: οἱ τὰ χρήματα ἔχοντες εἰς NAS: it will be for those who are wealthy to enter KJV: shall they that have riches enter INT: those riches having into Mark 10:24 Noun-DNP Luke 18:24 N-ANP Acts 4:37 N-ANS Acts 8:18 N-ANP Acts 8:20 N-GNP Acts 24:26 N-ANP Strong's Greek 5536 |
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