Lexical Summary argurous: Silver Original Word: ἀργυροῦς Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of silver. From arguros; made of silver -- (of) silver. see GREEK arguros NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom arguros Definition of silver NASB Translation silver (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 693: ἀργύρεοςἀργύρεος οὖς, ἀργυρεα ἀργυρεα, ἀργυρεον ἀργυροῦν, of silver; in the contracted form in Acts 19:24 (but WH brackets); 2 Timothy 2:20; Revelation 9:20. (From Homer down.) Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 693 designates what is “made of silver.” While the adjective itself appears only three times, it opens a window on Scripture’s wider treatment of silver as a material of value, purity, temptation, and idolatry. New Testament Occurrences • 2 Timothy 2:20 – “Now in a large house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay.” Here silver vessels stand for honorable service, inviting believers to pursue cleansing and usefulness to the Master. Silver in Biblical Culture and Economy Silver functioned as currency (Genesis 23:15–16), dowry (Genesis 34:12), tribute (2 Kings 23:33), and temple revenue (Ezra 7:22). Greek and Roman cities issued silver coinage; craftsmen like Demetrius capitalized on pilgrim traffic. The metal’s stability made it a storehouse of wealth, yet its portability also made it a ready snare for greed (Proverbs 27:20). Symbolism of Purity and Redemption Psalm 12:6 compares the LORD’s words to “silver refined in a furnace, purified sevenfold,” spotlighting perfect reliability. In Exodus 30:11–16 every Israelite male paid a half-shekel of silver as atonement money, foreshadowing redemption in Christ. Silver therefore speaks both of tested purity and substitutionary ransom. Honor versus Idolatry Paul contrasts “vessels of gold and silver” with common ones (2 Timothy 2:20–21), urging believers to become noble instruments. Conversely, John portrays humanity worshiping silver idols (Revelation 9:20). The same metal symbolizes consecrated service or stubborn idolatry, depending on the heart. Historical Backdrop: Ephesus and Artemis Acts 19 records a clash between gospel proclamation and lucrative pagan industry. Artemis’ temple at Ephesus ranked among the ancient world’s wonders; her image was reputed to have fallen from heaven (Acts 19:35). Miniature silver shrines marketed by Demetrius provided pilgrims tangible links to the goddess. When conversions threatened sales, economic motives masqueraded as religious zeal, illustrating how financial interests can oppose kingdom advance. Ministry Applications 1. Pursue Purity: As silver is refined, ministry leaders must submit to divine testing so that their service becomes an honorable vessel. Connections to the Passion Narrative Jesus was betrayed for “thirty pieces of silver” (Matthew 26:15). What men priced cheaply, God exalted supremely. The contrast between Judas’s coins and Christ’s sacrifice magnifies grace and warns against valuing temporal gain over eternal truth. Eschatological Perspective Revelation’s indictment of silver idols assures believers that material deities will perish. Only those who overcome by the blood of the Lamb will inherit the new creation, where the city’s streets are not merely paved with precious metal but illuminated by the glory of God (Revelation 21:21–23). Summary Strong’s Greek 693 gathers Scripture’s multifaceted portrait of silver: a medium of trade, a symbol of purity, a ransom price, and a potential idol. The gospel calls followers of Christ to be silver vessels sanctified for honorable use, rejecting the lure of silver idols, and reflecting the refining grace of the One who paid our redemption in full. Forms and Transliterations αργυρα αργυρά ἀργυρᾶ αργυραί αργυράν αργυράς αργυροί αργυροίς αργυρός αργυρούν αργυρους αργυρούς ἀργυροῦς αργυρών argura argurous argyra argyrâ argyrous argyroûsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 19:24 Adj-AMPGRK: ποιῶν ναοὺς ἀργυροῦς Ἀρτέμιδος παρείχετο NAS: who made silver shrines KJV: which made silver shrines INT: making shrines silver of Artemis brought 2 Timothy 2:20 Adj-NNP Revelation 9:20 Adj-ANP Strong's Greek 693 |
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