Lexical Summary aphilarguros: Free from the love of money, not greedy Original Word: ἀφιλάργυρος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance without covetousness, not greedy. From a (as a negative particle) and philarguros; unavaricious -- without covetousness, not greedy of filthy lucre. see GREEK a see GREEK philarguros HELPS Word-studies 866 aphilárgyros (from 1 /A, "not," 5368 /philéō, "fond of" and 696 /árgyros, "silver") – properly, "not fond of silver," i.e. not covetous for money; free from the love of materialism; not dominated (over-influenced) by the desire for financial gain; non-materialistic. See also 5365 /philargyría ("love of money"). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom alpha (as a neg. prefix) and philarguros Definition without love of money NASB Translation free from the love of money (1), free from the love (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 866: ἀφιλάργυροςἀφιλάργυρος, ἀφιλάργυρον (alpha privative and φιλάργυρος), not loving money, not avaricios; only in the N. T., twice viz. 1 Timothy 3:3; Hebrews 13:5. (Cf. Trench, § xxiv.) Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope Strong’s Greek 866, aphilargyros, denotes a settled disposition free from the love of money. It is not merely the absence of funds but the absence of fixation on acquiring them. Scripture treats this quality as a spiritual safeguard that preserves integrity, generosity, and contentment. Old Testament Foundations While the exact Greek term appears only in the New Testament, its ethical contour echoes multiple Hebrew emphases: These form the moral backdrop that the apostolic writers assumed. New Testament Usage 1 Timothy 3:3 lists “not a lover of money” among the qualifications for an overseer. The requirement protects church governance from financial self-interest, ensuring shepherds resemble the self-giving Christ. Hebrews 13:5 broadens the call to the whole community: “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” The antidote to material craving is confidence in the abiding presence of God. Theological Significance 1. Lordship of Christ: Affection for wealth rivals devotion to God (Matthew 6:24). Aphilargyros signifies exclusive allegiance to Christ. Pastoral Application • Church Leadership: Boards and search committees evaluate prospective leaders for financial transparency, openhanded giving, and a lifestyle uncluttered by ostentation. Historical Witness in the Church • Early Fathers: Polycarp urged presbyters to be “lovers of widows and orphans, but not lovers of money.” Contemporary Relevance Materialism pervades consumer cultures, rendering aphilargyros countercultural. Ethical pitfalls—embezzlement, prosperity distortions, ministry marketing—underscore the need for vigilance. Churches adopt financial accountability structures and emphasize simplicity to embody this virtue. Related Concepts • Contentment (autarkeia, 1 Timothy 6:6) Suggested Resources for Study • “Money, Possessions, and Eternity” by Randy Alcorn Forms and Transliterations αφιλαργυρον αφιλάργυρον ἀφιλάργυρον Αφιλαργυρος αφιλάργυρος Ἀφιλάργυρος aphilarguron Aphilarguros aphilargyron aphilárgyron Aphilargyros AphilárgyrosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Timothy 3:3 Adj-AMSGRK: ἐπιεικῆ ἄμαχον ἀφιλάργυρον NAS: peaceable, free from the love of money. KJV: patient, not a brawler, not covetous; INT: gentle peaceable not loving money Hebrews 13:5 Adj-NMS Strong's Greek 866 |
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