Lexical Summary argurokopos: Silversmith Original Word: ἀργυροκόπος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance silversmith. From arguros and kopto; a beater (i.e. Worker) of silver -- silversmith. see GREEK arguros see GREEK kopto NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom arguros and koptó Definition a beater of silver, i.e. a silversmith NASB Translation silversmith (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 695: ἀργυροκόποςἀργυροκόπος, ἀργυροκοπου, ὁ (ἄργυρος and κόπτω to beat, hammer; a silver-beater), a silversmith: Acts 19:24. (Judges 17:4; Jeremiah 6:29. Plutarch, de vitand. aere alien. c. 7.) Topical Lexicon Definition and Occurrence Argyrokopos (Strong’s 695) designates a silversmith—one who fashions articles of silver. It is found once in the New Testament, at Acts 19:24. Historical Background of Silversmiths Silversmiths enjoyed prestige in the Greco-Roman world, belonging to organized guilds that supplied coinage, jewelry, household wares, and especially cultic miniatures. Ephesus, famed for its vast Temple of Artemis, drew pilgrims who purchased silver shrines as tokens of devotion and protection, making the craft highly profitable long before the apostolic era. The Incident at Ephesus (Acts 19:23-41) Luke portrays Demetrius, “a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis” (Acts 19:24), rallying fellow tradesmen against Paul. Their concern was twofold: declining revenue and wounded civic pride. “This Paul has persuaded and turned away a great number of people, saying that gods made by hands are not gods at all” (Acts 19:26). The resulting riot underscores the collision between the gospel and entrenched idolatry, revealing how Christ’s lordship challenges economic systems rooted in false worship. Idolatry and Craftsmanship in Scripture Throughout Scripture artisanship is celebrated when devoted to the true God (Exodus 31:1-6), yet condemned when it produces idols (Psalm 115:4; Isaiah 46:6-7). The single use of argyrokopos links Acts 19 to the prophetic tradition that exposes man-made gods as powerless. The episode highlights a fundamental biblical antithesis: the living Creator versus lifeless objects “shaped by human art and skill” (Acts 17:29). Economic Interests versus Gospel Advance Acts records multiple instances where deliverance upended lucrative but ungodly trades—Philippi’s fortune-telling enterprise (Acts 16:16-19), the burning of costly magic scrolls (Acts 19:19), and the silversmiths’ business. When hearts turn to Christ, economies built on sin feel the shockwaves. The gospel does not merely add a religious layer; it reorders values, exposing profit motives that thrive on spiritual bondage. Theological Significance 1. Christ’s Supremacy: Extraordinary miracles (Acts 19:11-12) contrasted with the impotence of Artemis attest that Christ alone saves. Pastoral and Missional Applications • Expect Resistance: Gospel proclamation that dismantles cultural idols will face backlash from vested interests. Echoes in Later Writings Ephesians exhorts converts to forsake former paganism (Ephesians 4:17-24; 5:11), themes rooted in the silversmith episode. Revelation 18 revisits the lament of merchants whose wealth collapses with idolatrous Babylon, mirroring Demetrius’ anxiety over lost trade. Conclusion The solitary appearance of argyrokopos powerfully depicts the transformative reach of the gospel. When Christ is proclaimed, idols topple, economies realign, and societies reckon with the true God. As in Ephesus, “the word of the Lord continued to spread and prevail with power” (Acts 19:20), a dynamic still at work wherever believers faithfully exalt Jesus. Forms and Transliterations αργυροκοπος αργυροκόπος ἀργυροκόπος argurokopos argyrokopos argyrokóposLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
    |