Lexical Summary autarkeia: Contentment, sufficiency, self-sufficiency Original Word: αὐτάρκεια Strong's Exhaustive Concordance contentment, sufficiency. From autarkes; self-satisfaction, i.e. (abstractly) contentedness, or (concretely) a competence -- contentment, sufficiency. see GREEK autarkes HELPS Word-studies 841 autárkeia (from 846 /autós, "self" and 714 /arkéō, "to suffice, be sufficient") – properly, self-sufficient; used of the Spirit-filled Christian – having all they need within through the indwelling Christ. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom autarkés Definition self-satisfaction, i.e. self-sufficiency NASB Translation contentment (1), sufficiency (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 841: αὐτάρκειααὐτάρκεια, αὐταρκείας, ἡ (αὐτάρκης, which see), a perfect condition of life, in which no aid or support is needed; equivalent to τελειότης κτήσεως ἀγαθῶν, Plato, def., p. 412 b.; often in Aristotle, (defined by him (pol. 7, 5 at the beginning, p. 1326{b}, 29) as follows: τό πάντα ὑπάρχειν καί δεῖσθαι μηθενός ἀυταρκες; cf. Lightfoot on Philippians 4:11); hence, a sufficiency of the necessaries of life: 2 Corinthians 9:8; subjectively, a mind contented with its lot, contentment: 1 Timothy 6:6; ((Diogenes Laërtius 10, 130). Topical Lexicon Definition and Theological Concept The term denotes inner sufficiency—a settled state of contentment that rests in God’s providence rather than in changing circumstances. Scripture presents this quality not as human self-reliance but as God-wrought satisfaction that frees believers from anxiety and avarice and equips them for generous service. Usage in the New Testament • 2 Corinthians 9:8 identifies the source: “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all you need, you will abound in every good work.” Here autarkeia is the fruit of divine grace, enabling cheerful giving (2 Corinthians 9:7) and sustained ministry. Old Testament Foundations The concept echoes themes such as “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1) and Agur’s prayer, “Give me neither poverty nor riches, but provide me with my daily bread” (Proverbs 30:8). God’s covenant care in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 2:7) prefigures the New Testament assurance that the God who supplies manna still supplies every need (Philippians 4:19). Contrast with Greco-Roman Stoicism Classical Stoics prized autarkeia as detached self-mastery; Paul reorients the idea to dependence on the Lord. The believer’s sufficiency is “through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13), not through personal indifference. Thus Christian contentment is relational, grateful, and active in love. Doctrinal Significance 1. Providence: Autarkeia rests on confidence that the Father “knows that you need them” (Matthew 6:32). Practical Ministry Application • Pastoral care: Teaching contentment counters materialistic pressures and cultivates joyful generosity. Relation to Other Biblical Themes Autarkeia weaves into gratitude (Colossians 3:15), prayerful dependence (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18), and the call to store treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). It undergirds the New Testament ethic of sacrificial giving (Acts 20:35) and the exhortation to be “content with what you have” (Hebrews 13:5). Historical Reception in the Church Early writers like Chrysostom praised contentment as the antidote to greed, while monastic movements pursued simplicity to embody the sufficiency of Christ. Reformers underscored providence, insisting that faith in God’s care liberates believers for industrious yet unanxious living. Contemporary Implications In consumer cultures, recovering biblical autarkeia challenges both poverty-driven despair and prosperity-driven excess. Churches that model generous living and trust in God’s provision bear compelling witness to a restless world, demonstrating that “godliness with contentment is great gain.” Forms and Transliterations αυταρκειαν αυτάρκειαν αὐτάρκειαν αυταρκειας αυταρκείας αὐταρκείας αυτάρκησεν autarkeian autárkeian autarkeias autarkeíasLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Corinthians 9:8 N-AFSGRK: πάντοτε πᾶσαν αὐτάρκειαν ἔχοντες περισσεύητε NAS: all sufficiency in everything, KJV: having all sufficiency in all INT: always all sufficiency having you might abound 1 Timothy 6:6 N-GFS Strong's Greek 841 |
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