Brief Overview of στρῆνος (Strong’s G4764: strēnos)

Strong’s G4764: Excessive luxury, wanton pleasure, or sensual living. A noun denoting the state of self-indulgent excess and its resulting arrogance. Used in Revelation to describe Babylon’s corrupting influence through material abundance and sensual pleasure.

U- Unveiling the Word

Στρῆνος describes more than mere luxury; it represents a state of excess that corrupts spiritually and morally. In Revelation, it characterizes Babylon’s seductive power through material abundance and pleasure. The early church recognized this term as warning against the spiritual dangers of excessive wealth and self-indulgence. Today, στρῆνος continues to warn believers about how material excess can lead to spiritual pride and moral corruption, calling us to find our satisfaction in the Messiah rather than worldly abundance.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: στρῆνος, strēnos, /stray’-nos/
• Detailed Pronunciation: STRAY-nos (emphasis on first syllable)
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• From Proto-Indo-European *ster- meaning “stiff, rigid”
• The root suggests hardness or strength that becomes excessive
  No prefixes or suffixes; it’s a primary noun

D – Defining Meanings

• Excessive luxury
• Wanton pleasure
• Self-indulgent living
• Arrogant abundance

For compound words: Not applicable as στρῆνος is a simple noun.

Translation Options:

1. “Luxury” – Emphasizes material abundance
2. “Wanton pleasure” – Highlights moral implications
3. “Self-indulgence” – Captures the spiritual danger

E – Exploring Similar Words

1. τρυφή (tryphē) /troo-fay’/ – delicate living, luxury. See G5172
2. σπατάλη (spatalē) /spat-al’-ay/ – extravagance, wantonness. See G4685
3. ἡδονή (hēdonē) /hay-don-ay’/ – pleasure, desire. See G2237

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a noun, στρῆνος exhibits these features:

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

Examples of morphological changes:

• Nominative/Accusative: στρῆνος
• Genitive: στρήνους
• Dative: στρήνει

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its connection to moral corruption. Thayer’s notes its relationship to arrogance. LSJ documents its use in moral criticism. Vine’s highlights its spiritual dangers. Strong’s connects it to excessive strength. Moulton and Milligan show its use in criticizing luxury.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First Appearance:

“For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the passion of her immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed acts of immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich by the wealth of her [στρῆνος] sensuality.” Revelation 18:3

Additional References:
This is the only occurrence in the New Testament.

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Στρῆνος powerfully warns against the spiritual dangers of material excess and self-indulgence. The fall of Babylon in Revelation shows how worldly luxury can corrupt and lead to judgment. This reminds us that true satisfaction comes not from material abundance but from the riches of God’s kingdom in the Messiah.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word influenced early Christian teachings on simple living.
2. It appears in ancient moral philosophers’ critiques of society.
3. Early church fathers used it to contrast worldly and spiritual wealth.

Strong’s G4764: Excessive luxury, wanton pleasure, or sensual living. A noun denoting the state of self-indulgent excess and its resulting arrogance. Used in Revelation to describe Babylon’s corrupting influence through material abundance and sensual pleasure.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: luxury, excess, materialism, babylon, judgment, wealth, self-indulgence, worldliness, moral-corruption, greek-noun​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​