4432. ptócheia

Lexicon

ptócheia: Poverty

Original Word: πτωχεία
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: ptócheia
Pronunciation: pto-khi'-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (pto-khi'-ah)
Definition: Poverty
Meaning: beggary, poverty, destitution.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

poverty.

From ptocheuo; beggary, i.e. Indigence (literally or figuratively) -- poverty.

see GREEK ptocheuo

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 4432 ptōxeía – poverty. See 4434 (ptōxos).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from ptócheuó
Definition
beggary, i.e. destitution
NASB Translation
poverty (3).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4432: πτωχεία

πτωχεία, πτωχείας, ἡ (πτωχεύω);

1. beggary (Herodotus 3, 14; Aristophanes, Plutarch, 549; Plato, legg. 11, p. 936{b}; Lysias p. 898, 9; Aristotle, poet. c. 23 p. 1459^b, 6).

2. in the N. T. poverty, the condition of one destitute of riches and abundance: opposed to πλουτεῖν, 2 Corinthians 8:9; opposed to πλούσιος, Revelation 2:9; ἡ κατά βάθους πτωχεία (opposed to πλοῦτος), deep, i. e. extreme poverty (see κατά, I. 1 b.), 2 Corinthians 8:2. (The Sept. chiefly for ענִי, affliction, misery.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from πτωχός (ptōchos), meaning "poor" or "beggar."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • עֳנִי (H6040, 'oni) – poverty, affliction
• דַּל (H1800, dal) – poor, weak, needy
• רֵישׁ (H7389, resh) – poverty, need

These Hebrew terms similarly convey the concept of poverty, both in a material and spiritual sense, and are often used in the Old Testament to describe the plight of the needy and the righteous response of God's people to such conditions.

Usage: The term πτωχεία is used in the New Testament to describe both physical and spiritual poverty. It often conveys a sense of humility and dependence on God.

Context: The Greek word πτωχεία (ptōcheia) appears in the New Testament to describe a condition of material or spiritual poverty. It is used to highlight the contrast between worldly wealth and spiritual richness, emphasizing the virtues of humility and reliance on God.

In the New Testament, πτωχεία is notably used in the Beatitudes, where Jesus pronounces blessings on the "poor in spirit" (Matthew 5:3, BSB): "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Here, πτωχεία signifies a spiritual poverty, a recognition of one's need for God and a humble disposition that opens the heart to divine grace.

The Apostle Paul also uses πτωχεία to describe the voluntary poverty of Christ, who, though rich, became poor for the sake of humanity (2 Corinthians 8:9, BSB): "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich." This passage underscores the redemptive aspect of Christ's incarnation and sacrifice, highlighting the transformative power of spiritual poverty.

In the early Christian community, πτωχεία was often associated with the communal sharing of resources and care for the needy, reflecting the teachings of Jesus on compassion and generosity. The early church's emphasis on aiding the poor and living in simplicity was a testament to the value placed on spiritual wealth over material abundance.

Forms and Transliterations

πτωχεια πτωχεία πτωχείᾳ πτωχειαν πτωχείαν πτωχείας ptocheia ptocheía ptōcheia ptōcheía ptocheíāi ptōcheíāi ptocheian ptocheían ptōcheian ptōcheían

Englishman's Concordance

2 Corinthians 8:2 N-NFS
GRK: κατὰ βάθους πτωχεία αὐτῶν ἐπερίσσευσεν
NAS: and their deep poverty overflowed
INT: of deep poverty of them abounded

2 Corinthians 8:9 N-DFS
GRK: τῇ ἐκείνου πτωχείᾳ πλουτήσητε
NAS: so that you through His poverty might become rich.
KJV: ye through his poverty might be rich.
INT: of that poverty might be enriched

Revelation 2:9 N-AFS
GRK: καὶ τὴν πτωχείαν ἀλλὰ πλούσιος
NAS: your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich),
KJV: and poverty, (but
INT: and poverty but rich

Strong's Greek 4432
3 Occurrences

πτωχεία — 2 Occ.
πτωχείαν — 1 Occ.