Brief Overview of πλοῦτος (Strong’s G4149: ploutos)

Strong’s G4149: A noun meaning “wealth, riches, or abundance.” In ancient Greek culture, it primarily referred to material wealth. In New Testament usage, it develops from describing material riches to expressing spiritual wealth, particularly God’s abundant grace and the riches of Christ.

U- Unveiling the Word

πλοῦτος represents both material and spiritual abundance in Scripture. First appearing in Jesus’s parable of the sower where material wealth chokes spiritual growth, it later expands to describe the immeasurable riches of God’s grace in Christ. Early church fathers emphasized this dual nature, warning against the dangers of material wealth while celebrating spiritual riches in Christ. Today, it challenges believers to distinguish between temporal and eternal wealth.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: πλοῦτος, ploutos, /PLOO-tos/
• Detailed pronunciation: PLOO-tos (emphasis on first syllable)
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• Root: πλουτ- (plout-) meaning “wealth”
• Suffix: -ος (-os) nominal ending
• Basic noun form serving as root for related terms

D – Defining Meanings

• Wealth
• Riches
• Abundance

For compound words: Not a compound word, but serves as root for compounds

Translation Options:

• Wealth – General material abundance
• Riches – Both material and spiritual context
• Abundance – Broader application

E – Exploring Similar Words

• περίσσευμα (perisseuma) /per-IS-syoo-mah/ – abundance, overflow
  See G4051
• εὐπορία (euporia) /yoo-por-EE-ah/ – prosperity
  See G2142

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Noun Features:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Masculine/Neuter (varies in usage)
• Declension: Second

Examples:
Nominative: πλοῦτος
Genitive: πλούτου
Dative: πλούτῳ
Accusative: πλοῦτον

• Cross-references to verb πλουτέω and adjective πλούσιος

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes both material and spiritual meanings. Thayer’s notes its development in biblical usage. LSJ documents extensive secular applications. Vine’s highlights its theological significance. Strong’s connects it to abundance concepts. LEH provides Septuagint context. Moulton and Milligan cite financial document usage.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.” Matthew 13:22

Additional References:
Romans 2:4, Romans 9:23, Romans 11:12, Ephesians 1:7, Ephesians 2:7, Ephesians 3:8, Colossians 1:27

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

πλοῦτος reveals the contrast between temporal and eternal riches. While worldly wealth can hinder spiritual growth, Christ offers unsearchable riches of grace and glory. This word encourages us to seek the true wealth found only in relationship with God through Christ.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word was personified as the god Plutus in Greek mythology.
2. Early Christian writings often contrasted earthly πλοῦτος with heavenly.
3. It influenced economic terminology through Latin translations.

Strong’s G4149: A noun denoting wealth or riches, used both literally for material abundance and metaphorically for spiritual wealth. In New Testament theology, it develops from warning about material wealth’s dangers to celebrating the riches of God’s grace in Christ.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: wealth, riches, abundance, material possessions, spiritual wealth, God’s grace, Jesus’s parables, Paul’s epistles, biblical Greek, prosperity, divine provision, eternal riches​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​