◄ 4124. pleonexia ►
Strong's Lexicon pleonexia: Greed, covetousness Original Word: πλεονεξία Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: pleonexia Pronunciation: pleh-on-ex-ee'-ah Phonetic Spelling: (pleh-on-ex-ee'-ah) Definition: covetousness, avarice, aggression, desire for advantage. Meaning: The term "pleonexia" refers to a greedy desire to have more, covetousness, or avarice. It denotes an insatiable appetite for material gain or possessions, often at the expense of ethical or moral considerations. Word Origin: Derived from πλεονέκτης (pleonektēs), meaning "one who desires more," which is a compound of πλέων (pleon), meaning "more," and ἔχω (echō), meaning "to have" or "to hold." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "pleonexia," the concept of covetousness is addressed in the Old Testament. Relevant Hebrew terms include: • Strong's Hebrew 1215 (בֶּצַע, betsa'): Often translated as "gain" or "profit," particularly when obtained through unjust means. • Strong's Hebrew 2530 (חָמַד, chamad): Meaning "to desire" or "to covet," as seen in the Tenth Commandment (Exodus 20:17). This entry provides a comprehensive understanding of "pleonexia" within the biblical context, highlighting its significance as a moral and spiritual issue addressed in both the Old and New Testaments. Usage: The word "pleonexia" is used in the New Testament to describe a sinful attitude of greed and covetousness. It is often listed among other vices that are contrary to Christian virtues and teachings. Context: • Biblical Context: In the New Testament, "pleonexia" is frequently condemned as a vice that is incompatible with the Christian life. It is often associated with idolatry, as the desire for material wealth can become a form of worship that replaces devotion to God. • Scriptural References: • Mark 7:22: Jesus lists "pleonexia" among the evils that come from within a person and defile them: "greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness." • Luke 12:15: Jesus warns against all forms of greed, saying, "Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." • Ephesians 5:3: Paul admonishes believers, "But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed." • Colossians 3:5: Paul instructs Christians to "Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry." • Theological Implications: "Pleonexia" is seen as a root of many other sins, as it reflects a heart that is not content with God's provision. It challenges believers to examine their priorities and to cultivate a spirit of contentment and generosity. • Moral and Ethical Considerations: The pursuit of wealth and possessions, when driven by "pleonexia," can lead to unethical behavior, exploitation, and a neglect of spiritual values. Christians are called to live counter-culturally, valuing spiritual riches over material wealth. HELPS Word-studies 4124 pleoneksía (a feminine noun derived from 4119 /pleíōn, "numerically more" and 2192 /éxō, "have") – properly, the desire for more (things), i.e. lusting for a greater number of temporal things that go beyond what God determines is eternally best (beyond His preferred-will, cf. 2307 /thélēma); covetousness (coveting). 4124 /pleoneksía (a feminine noun) points to a brand of covetousness, defined by the context. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin from pleonektés Definition advantage, covetousness NASB Translation covetousness (1), deeds of coveting (1), greed (7), greediness (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4124: πλεονεξία πλεονεξία, πλεονεξίας, ἡ (πλεονέκτης, which see), greedy desire to have more, covetousness, avarice: Luke 12:15; Romans 1:29; Ephesians 4:19; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 2:5; 2 Peter 2:3 (on the omission of the article in the last two passages, cf. Winer's Grammar, 120 (114)), 14; ὡς (Rec. ὥσπερ) πλεονεξίαν (as a matter of covetousness), i. e. a gift which betrays the giver's covetousness, 2 Corinthians 9:5 (here R. V. text extortion); plural various modes in which covetousness shows itself, covetings (cf. Winers Grammar, § 27, 3; Buttmann, 77 (67)), Mark 7:22. (In the same and various other senses by secular writings from Herodotus and Thucydides down.) (Trench, N. T. Synonyms, § xxiv., and (in partial correction) Lightfoot's Commentary on Colossians 3:5.) Strong's Exhaustive Concordance covetousness, greediness. From pleonektes; avarice, i.e. (by implication) fraudulency, extortion -- covetous(-ness) practices, greediness. see GREEK pleonektes Forms and Transliterations πλεονεξια πλεονεξία πλεονεξίᾳ πλεονεξιαι πλεονεξίαι πλεονεξιαν πλεονεξίαν πλεονεξιας πλεονεξίας pleonexia pleonexía pleonexiai pleonexíai pleonexíāi pleonexian pleonexían pleonexias pleonexías Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts Englishman's Concordance Mark 7:22 N-NFP GRK: πλεονεξίαι πονηρίαι δόλος NAS: deeds of coveting [and] wickedness, KJV: Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, INT: covetous desires wickednesses deceit Luke 12:15 N-GFS GRK: ἀπὸ πάσης πλεονεξίας ὅτι οὐκ NAS: every form of greed; for not [even] when KJV: beware of covetousness: for a man's INT: from all covetousness for not Romans 1:29 N-DFS GRK: ἀδικίᾳ πονηρίᾳ πλεονεξίᾳ κακίᾳ μεστοὺς NAS: wickedness, greed, evil; KJV: wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; INT: unrighteousness wickedness covetousness malice full 2 Corinthians 9:5 N-AFS GRK: μὴ ὡς πλεονεξίαν NAS: and not affected by covetousness. KJV: not as [of] covetousness. INT: not as [of] covetousness Ephesians 4:19 N-DFS GRK: πάσης ἐν πλεονεξίᾳ NAS: of impurity with greediness. KJV: uncleanness with greediness. INT: all with craving Ephesians 5:3 N-NFS GRK: πᾶσα ἢ πλεονεξία μηδὲ ὀνομαζέσθω NAS: or greed must not even KJV: or covetousness, let it INT: all or covetousness not even let it be named Colossians 3:5 N-AFS GRK: καὶ τὴν πλεονεξίαν ἥτις ἐστὶν NAS: evil desire, and greed, which amounts KJV: and covetousness, which INT: and covetousness which is 1 Thessalonians 2:5 N-GFS GRK: ἐν προφάσει πλεονεξίας θεὸς μάρτυς NAS: with a pretext for greed-- God KJV: a cloke of covetousness; God INT: with a pretext of covetousness God [is] witness 2 Peter 2:3 N-DFS GRK: καὶ ἐν πλεονεξίᾳ πλαστοῖς λόγοις NAS: and in [their] greed they will exploit KJV: through covetousness shall they with feigned INT: And through covetousness with well-turned words 2 Peter 2:14 N-GFS GRK: καρδίαν γεγυμνασμένην πλεονεξίας ἔχοντες κατάρας NAS: trained in greed, accursed KJV: exercised with covetous practices; cursed INT: a heart exercised in craving having of curse Strong's Greek 4124 10 Occurrences πλεονεξίᾳ — 4 Occ. πλεονεξίαι — 1 Occ. πλεονεξίαν — 2 Occ. πλεονεξίας — 3 Occ.