Holy Poverty: ὑστέρημα (Strong’s G5303: husterema) Reveals Kingdom Economy’s Grace

Strong’s G5303: From hustereo, husterema denotes deficiency, lack, or want. In NT usage, it particularly describes material poverty while highlighting spiritual principles of giving and divine provision, as seen in the widow’s offering and Paul’s teaching on mutual support.

U- Unveiling the Word

The noun ὑστέρημα (husterema) carries profound spiritual significance in its representation of lack or deficiency, particularly in the context of sacrificial giving. First appearing in Luke’s account of the widow’s offering, it describes her extreme poverty which magnified the significance of her gift. The word embodies a paradox in Christian giving – those who give out of their lack often give more spiritually than those who give from abundance. Early church fathers frequently referenced this word when discussing Christian charity and mutual support within the body of Messiah. Today, it continues to challenge our understanding of true giving and divine provision, reminding us that God measures gifts not by amount but by sacrifice.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: ὑστέρημα, husterema, hoo-STEH-ray-ma
• Detailed Pronunciation: hoo (as in “who”) – STEH (as in “step”) – ray (as in “ray”) – ma (as in “ma”)
• Part of Speech: Noun (Neuter)

Etymology:
From ὑστερέω (hustereo):

• Root word: ὕστερος (husteros) – latter, lacking
• -μα (-ma) – noun-forming suffix indicating result or state

D – Defining Meanings

• Deficiency or lack
• State of poverty or want
• That which is lacking or needed

For compound words:
Not a compound word; formed from verb ὑστερέω with nominal suffix -μα

Translation Options:

• “lack” – Emphasizes the state of deficiency
• “want” – Traditional translation capturing both need and poverty
• “poverty” – Specifically addresses material deficiency

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ἔνδεια (endeia, EN-dei-a) – want, poverty
  See G1783
• πτωχεία (ptocheia, pto-KHEI-a) – beggary, extreme poverty
  See G4432
• χρεία (chreia, KHREI-a) – need, necessity
  See G5532

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a neuter noun:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Neuter
• Declension: Third

Example forms:

• ὑστέρημα (nominative/accusative singular) – lack
• ὑστερήματος (genitive singular) – of lack
• ὑστερήματι (dative singular) – to/for lack
• ὑστερήματα (nominative/accusative plural) – lacks

Related words:

• Verb: ὑστερέω (hustereo)
• Adjective: ὕστερος (husteros)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

Lexical study of ὑστέρημα reveals its rich theological implications. BDAG emphasizes its use in contexts of both material and spiritual deficiency. Thayer’s notes its connection to sacrificial giving in the early church. LSJ documents its classical usage for various types of deficiency. Vine’s highlights its importance in Paul’s teaching on mutual support among believers. Moulton and Milligan cite papyri showing its use in financial contexts. Strong’s connects it to the concept of coming behind or lacking, while LEH notes its Septuagint usage for various types of want. The collective evidence shows a term that bridges physical need and spiritual principle.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
Luke 21:4 “For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her want [ὑστέρημα] cast in all the living that she had.”

Additional References:
1 Corinthians 16:17, 2 Corinthians 8:14, 2 Corinthians 9:12, Philippians 2:30, Colossians 1:24

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

The word ὑστέρημα beautifully captures the paradox of Kingdom economics where lack becomes abundance through sacrificial giving. It reveals how God values not the amount given but the heart behind the gift. This word proclaims the good news by showing that in Messiah’s kingdom, those who seem to have nothing can give everything, and those who give sacrificially from their poverty demonstrate the greatest faith. It reminds us that God’s economy operates on principles of grace, not worldly abundance.

D – Did You Know?

1. This word appears prominently in the famous story of the widow’s mites, highlighting sacrificial giving.
2. Paul uses this word to describe how believers can supply each other’s needs in the body of Messiah.
3. Early church fathers used this word to encourage generous giving regardless of economic status.

Strong’s G5303: From hustereo, husterema denotes deficiency, lack, or want. In NT usage, it particularly describes material poverty while highlighting spiritual principles of giving and divine provision, as seen in the widow’s offering and Paul’s teaching on mutual support.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: poverty, lack, deficiency, giving, sacrifice, widow’s-mites, mutual-support, kingdom-economics, generosity, need, provision, charitable-giving​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​