983. blaberos
Lexical Summary
blaberos: Harmful, injurious

Original Word: βλαβερός
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: blaberos
Pronunciation: blah-beh-ROS
Phonetic Spelling: (blab-er-os')
KJV: hurtful
NASB: harmful
Word Origin: [from G984 (βλάπτω - doing harm)]

1. injurious

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
hurtful.

From blapto; injurious -- hurtful.

see GREEK blapto

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from blaptó
Definition
hurtful
NASB Translation
harmful (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 983: βλαβερός

βλαβερός, βλαβερα, βλαβερόν (βλάπτω), hurtful, injurious (Xenophon, mem. 1, 5, 3 opposed to ὠφέλιμος): 1 Timothy 6:9 ἐπιθυμίαι βλαβεραι, cf. ἡδοναι βλαβερός Xenophon, mem. 1, 3, 11. (Often in Greek writings from Homer (i. e. h. Merc. 36 (taken from Hesiod, Works, 365)) down; once in the Sept., Proverbs 10:26.)

Topical Lexicon
Meaning within the Canon of Scripture

Strong’s Greek 983 describes that which brings measurable injury—moral, spiritual, or physical. While its sole New Testament appearance is 1 Timothy 6:9, the term resonates with the wider biblical motif of destructive influence, pairing naturally with vocabulary for “ruin” and “destruction” (cf. Proverbs 5:22; Romans 6:23) and echoing the warning voice of wisdom literature against enticements that wound the soul.

Biblical Occurrence

1 Timothy 6:9: “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a trap and many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.”

Here “harmful” stands between “foolish” and “desires,” forming a triad that charts the descent from unguarded longing to irreparable loss. The verse positions βλαβεράς as the catalytic middle term: once foolishness combines with harm, the outcome is predictable collapse.

Thematic Connections

1. Deceptive Riches. Scripture frequently contrasts heavenly treasure with wealth that corrodes or corrupts (Matthew 6:19; James 5:1-3). βλαβεράς underscores the truth that the danger is not wealth itself but the cravings it can awaken.
2. Spiritual Warfare. The word parallels imagery of snares and traps (Psalm 141:9; 1 Timothy 3:7), reminding readers that unseen forces exploit harmful desires to derail faith.
3. The Path of Wisdom. Proverbs presents two ways—the way of life and the way that seems right “but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12). βλαβεράς labels what lies along that latter path.

Historical Background

In common Greek usage the adjective applied to poisons, defective tools, or treacherous roads—anything likely to inflict damage. Paul’s adoption of the term borrows this everyday sense to paint greed as a hidden toxin within the community. First-century Ephesus, a commercial hub, offered ample illustration: entrepreneurial success accounts stood beside exploitative trade, temple banking, and burgeoning consumerism. Timothy’s congregation needed frank language equal to the cultural pull.

Pastoral Significance

Paul’s warning answers a timeless pastoral need: safeguarding hearts where outward prosperity is available or highly prized. βλαβεράς focuses ministry attention on motives, not merely behaviors. Shepherds are called to expose destructive ambitions before they mature into visible failure (Hebrews 3:13).

Ministry Applications

• Discern Desires. Encourage believers to audit heart-level motivations when pursuing career, investment, or lifestyle upgrades (Psalm 139:23-24).
• Cultivate Contentment. Couple the warning of 1 Timothy 6:9 with the exhortation two verses later: “But godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6). Gratitude disarms harmful cravings.
• Provide Accountability. Small groups and mentoring relationships can spotlight early indicators of injurious appetites before they escalate.
• Model Generosity. Leaders who live open-handedly teach by example that the antidote to harmful desire is cheerful giving (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Conclusion

Though occurring only once in the New Testament, βλαβεράς captures a vital spiritual principle: unchecked desires possess intrinsic power to wound. Scripture calls Christ’s followers to vigilant discernment, wise stewardship, and community life that counters the subtle, harmful pull of greed with the liberating grace of contentment and generosity.

Forms and Transliterations
βλαβερας βλαβεράς βλαβερόν blaberas blaberás
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Timothy 6:9 Adj-AFP
GRK: ἀνοήτους καὶ βλαβεράς αἵτινες βυθίζουσιν
NAS: foolish and harmful desires
KJV: foolish and hurtful lusts, which
INT: unwise and hurtful which sink

Strong's Greek 983
1 Occurrence


βλαβεράς — 1 Occ.

982
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