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Unveiling the Word

In biblical studies, understanding the original Greek words used in the New Testament allows us to appreciate the depth and nuances often lost in translation. One such word is μισθόω (misthoó), which occurs in Matthew 20:1, where it describes the act of hiring laborers for work in the parable of the workers in the vineyard. This verb helps us understand not only the economic realities of the time but also theological concepts related to the kingdom of heaven, particularly Jesus’ teaching on grace, rewards, and fairness.

Necessary Information

Greek Word: μισθόω (misthoó)

Transliteration: mis-tho-o

Pronunciation: /mis-tho-oh/

Etymology: The verb misthoó is derived from the noun μισθός (misthós), meaning “wage” or “reward.” The verb form focuses on the act of hiring or employing someone in exchange for wages. This reflects the economic and social structures in both secular and spiritual contexts in the New Testament.

Part of Speech: Verb. As a verb, misthoó involves an action, specifically the act of hiring or employing, as found in parables and teachings in the New Testament. Its grammatical details include tenses and moods, which we will explore further in the morphology section.

The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Defining Meanings

1. To Hire or Employ for Wages: The primary meaning of misthoó is to hire someone in exchange for payment, as illustrated in Matthew 20:1. The verb emphasizes the transactional nature of work, wages, and employment in both a literal and metaphorical sense.

2. To Engage in Service: Beyond literal employment, misthoó can also take on a more metaphorical meaning, referring to engaging someone in service, whether it be a laborer in a vineyard or spiritual service.

Exploring Similar Words

1. μισθός (misthós) [mis-thos]: A related noun, misthós means “wage” or “reward” and is the root from which misthoó is derived. While misthoó refers to the act of hiring, misthós refers to the wage given as a result of that work.

2. ἐργάτης (ergatēs) [er-ga-tes]: This word means “laborer” or “worker” and is often used in conjunction with misthoó to refer to the person hired for work, such as in the parable of the workers in the vineyard.

3. ἀντιμισθία (antimisthía) [an-ti-mis-thi-a]: This word means “recompense” or “reward,” but in a reciprocal sense, focusing on what is received in return for an action, sometimes with a negative connotation.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Tense, Voice, Mood:

Misthoó is used in various tenses in the New Testament, but in Matthew 20:1, it appears in the aorist tense, active voice, and indicative mood, highlighting a specific past action of hiring. It conjugates as follows:

Present Tense (Active Voice)

Person Singular Plural

1st μισθόω μισθοῦμεν

2nd μισθόεις μισθοῦτε

3rd μισθόει μισθοῦσιν

Aorist Tense (Active Voice)

Person Singular Plural

1st ἐμισθώσα ἐμισθώσαμεν

2nd ἐμισθώσας ἐμισθώσατε

3rd ἐμισθώσε ἐμισθώσαν

For a detailed explanation of Greek grammar, click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek.

Studying Lexicon Insights

Across lexicons, misthoó consistently conveys the act of hiring or employing someone for a reward, often emphasizing a contractual or economic exchange. This concept is key to understanding many of Jesus’ parables, such as the one in Matthew 20, where workers are hired throughout the day, and though some work longer than others, all receive the same payment, symbolizing the nature of God’s grace and generosity. Theological implications emphasize that while misthoó describes earthly hiring, it points to the spiritual truths about divine reward, justice, and the inclusion of all who come to serve in God’s kingdom.

This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. Matthew 20:1 – “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire [μισθόω] workers for his vineyard.”

2. Luke 10:7 – “Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages [μισθός].”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Author Name of Work Example Text

Plato Laws “He would hire [μισθόω] soldiers for the defense of the state.”

Herodotus Histories “They hired [μισθόω] mercenaries to guard the city.”

Septuagint Tobit 5:3 “Hire [μισθόω] someone to guide you on your journey.”

Noteworthy Summary

The verb misthoó is significant in its practical application of hiring workers, as seen in Matthew 20, where it underscores a larger theological point about fairness, grace, and the divine reward system in the kingdom of God. While it denotes an economic transaction, its use in Jesus’ parables reveals deeper spiritual truths about God’s generosity and the inclusivity of His kingdom. By understanding this word, we gain insight into the New Testament’s portrayal of work, reward, and divine justice.

Did You Know?

1. The concept of misthoó (hiring) is central to Jesus’ parable of the vineyard workers, which challenges common assumptions about fairness and merit in the kingdom of God.

2. In ancient Greek society, misthoó was commonly used in military contexts, referring to the hiring of mercenaries for battle or city defense.

3. The root word misthós (wages) appears frequently in both secular and spiritual contexts, often illustrating the relationship between service and reward, both in economic and divine terms.