Brief Overview of πλούσιος (Strong’s G4145: plousios)

Strong’s G4145: An adjective meaning “rich” or “wealthy,” from πλοῦτος (wealth). In ancient culture, it indicated material abundance and social status. In New Testament usage, it appears in contexts discussing the spiritual dangers of wealth and God’s rich mercy, carrying both literal and metaphorical significance.

U- Unveiling the Word

πλούσιος carries a complex theological weight in Scripture, representing both material wealth and spiritual abundance. Jesus frequently uses this term when addressing the challenges wealth poses to spiritual life, while Paul employs it to describe God’s spiritual riches in Christ. Early church fathers emphasized its dual nature – warning against material wealth while celebrating spiritual riches in Christ. Today, it continues to challenge believers about their relationship with material wealth while pointing to true spiritual abundance.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: πλούσιος, plousios, /PLOO-see-os/
• Detailed pronunciation: PLOO-see-os (emphasis on first syllable)
• Part of Speech: Adjective

Etymology:

• Root: πλουτ- (plout-) meaning “wealth”
• Suffix: -ιος (-ios) adjectival ending
• Related to πλοῦτος (ploutos), “wealth”

D – Defining Meanings

• Rich, wealthy
• Abundant
• Well-to-do

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

Translation Options:

• Rich – Basic material meaning
• Wealthy – Emphasizes social status
• Abundant – Captures metaphorical usage

E – Exploring Similar Words

• εὔπορος (euporos) /YOO-por-os/ – prosperous, well-off
  See G2142
• περισσός (perissos) /per-is-SOS/ – abundant, excessive
  See G4053

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Adjective Features:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Masculine, Feminine, Neuter
• Declension: Second/First

Examples:
Masculine: πλούσιος, πλουσίου, πλουσίῳ, πλούσιον
Feminine: πλουσία, πλουσίας, πλουσίᾳ, πλουσίαν
Neuter: πλούσιον, πλουσίου, πλουσίῳ, πλούσιον

• Cross-references to noun πλοῦτος and verb πλουτέω

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes both material and spiritual applications. Thayer’s notes its range of meanings. LSJ documents extensive secular usage. Vine’s highlights its theological significance. Strong’s connects it to abundance concepts. LEH provides Septuagint usage patterns. Moulton and Milligan cite examples from financial documents.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“And Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven.'” Matthew 19:23

Additional References:
Mark 10:25, Luke 6:24, Luke 12:16, Luke 16:19, 2 Corinthians 8:9, Ephesians 2:4, James 1:10

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

πλούσιος challenges us to examine our relationship with wealth while pointing to true riches in Christ. While warning about the spiritual dangers of material wealth, it also celebrates the abundance of God’s grace. The gospel shows us Christ who became poor that we might become spiritually rich.

D – Did You Know?

1. This term appears more frequently in Luke than any other Gospel.
2. Early church writers often contrasted material and spiritual uses.
3. It influenced development of Christian teaching on wealth and poverty.

Strong’s G4145: An adjective describing both material wealth and spiritual abundance. In New Testament usage, it appears in contexts warning about the dangers of material wealth while celebrating the richness of God’s grace in Christ.

Part of speech: Adjective

Tags: wealth, riches, abundance, material possessions, spiritual riches, Jesus’s teachings, Luke, Paul’s epistles, biblical Greek, social status, God’s grace, stewardship​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​