Lexical Summary emporeuomai: To trade, to engage in business, to travel for trade Original Word: ἐμπορεύομαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance buy and sell, trade, make merchandise. From en and poreuomai; to travel in (a country as a pedlar), i.e. (by implication) to trade -- buy and sell, make merchandise. see GREEK en see GREEK poreuomai HELPS Word-studies 1710 emporeúomai (the root of the English term, emporium, "a place for trading") – properly, "to engage in trade" (Souter); doing business by trading; to make a gain by exchanging (bartering, investing) (A-S). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom en and poreuomai Definition to travel in, to traffic, by impl. to trade NASB Translation engage in business (1), exploit (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1710: ἐμπορεύομαιἐμπορεύομαι (see ἐν, III. 3): deponent passive with future middle ἐμπορεύσομαι; (from ἔμπορος, which see); to go a trading, to travel for business, to traffic, trade (Thucydides and following; the Sept.): James 4:13 (Rst G here give the 1 aorist subjunctive ἐμπορευσώμεθα); with the accusative of a thing, to import for sale (as ἔλαιον εἰς Αἴγυπτον, the Sept. Hosea 12:1; πορφύραν ἀπό Φοινίκης, (Diogenes Laërtius 7, 2; γλαυκας, Lucian, Nigrin. at the beginning); to deal in; to use a thing or a person for gain (A. V. make merchandise of) (ὥραν τοῦ σώματος, Josephus, Antiquities 4, 6, 8; Ἀσπασια ἐνεπορεύετο πλήθη γυναικῶν, Athen. 13, p. 569 f.): 2 Peter 2:3; cf. Winers Grammar, 223 (209); (Buttmann, 147 (129)). Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope The verb denotes engaging in commerce—traveling, negotiating, entering markets, and seeking profit. Although a normal element of ancient economic life, Scripture employs the term to expose the heart motives that so often accompany buying and selling. Biblical Occurrences • James 4:13 – “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will travel to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.’” Usage in Scripture James addresses self-confident merchants who plan extended ventures with no reference to the Lord’s will. Their language of projected itineraries, time frames, and profits illustrates the presumption of setting human plans above divine sovereignty. Peter applies the commercial metaphor to false teachers. Just as traders viewed goods only in terms of gain, these leaders view believers as commodities to be exploited. Deceptive speech becomes their marketing strategy, and greed their motive. Historical Background First-century commerce thrived along Roman roads and maritime routes. Traveling merchants (emporoi) carried textiles, spices, metals, and luxury items across the Mediterranean. Their success depended on accurate forecasts of weather, political stability, and market demand—factors ultimately outside human control. Both James and Peter draw on this everyday scene. Listeners knew the risks of shipping ventures and the aggressive tactics of some traders, making the apostolic warnings vivid and practical. Theological Themes • Human Limitation versus Divine Providence James contrasts detailed commercial schedules with the fragility of life: “You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14). Planning is not condemned, but planning without humble submission to God’s sovereignty is. • Greed and Spiritual Exploitation Peter unmasks covetousness as the driving force behind doctrinal error. The same appetite that inflates prices in the marketplace can corrupt ministry, turning shepherds into profiteers. • Accountability and Judgment Both passages affirm that temporal success does not cancel eternal reckoning. James reminds readers that the future belongs to God; Peter assures the church that judgment “does not sleep.” Connections to the Wider Canon • Proverbs warns against boasting about tomorrow (Proverbs 27:1) and against dishonest scales (Proverbs 11:1). Ministry Applications • Planning with Dependence Church leaders and believers rightly strategize for missions, budgets, and careers, yet every agenda should remain flexible before the Lord: “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that” (James 4:15). • Guarding the Flock Pastors must ensure that teaching and counseling are motivated by love, not gain. Financial transparency and doctrinal fidelity safeguard congregations from being “exploited with deceptive words.” • Discerning Teachers Believers test ministries by their fruit: Do they exalt Christ or merchandise His people? Do they present the gospel freely or attach manipulative strings? • Stewardship Over Greed Commerce can serve kingdom purposes—funding missions, aiding the poor, sustaining families—when practiced ethically and submitted to God. The biblical critique targets greed, not legitimate enterprise. Warnings for the Church 1. Presumptive ambition can masquerade as faith. Encouragement for Believers • God oversees every venture; trusting Him frees the soul from anxiety about markets and calendars. Summary Appearing only twice, this commercial verb powerfully illustrates two perennial dangers: boasting independence from God and commercializing the faith. The antidote is humble reliance on the Lord’s will, ethical stewardship of resources, and unwavering commitment to truth. Forms and Transliterations εμπορεύεσθε εμπορευέσθωσαν εμπορευομένη εμπορευομένων εμπορεύονταί εμπορευσομεθα εμπορευσόμεθα ἐμπορευσόμεθα εμπορευσονται ἐμπορεύσονται εμπορευσώμεθα ενεπορεύετο ενεπορεύοντό emporeusometha emporeusómetha emporeusontai emporeúsontaiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance James 4:13 V-FIM-1PGRK: ἐνιαυτὸν καὶ ἐμπορευσόμεθα καὶ κερδήσομεν NAS: there and engage in business and make KJV: year, and buy and sell, and get gain: INT: a year and may trade and may make gain 2 Peter 2:3 V-FIM-3P Strong's Greek 1710 |
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