Brief Overview of προσεργάζομαι (Strong’s G4333: prosergazomai)

Strong’s G4333: A compound verb combining pros (in addition) with ergazomai (to work, trade), meaning “to work additionally, to gain by trading.” Used specifically in Jesus’ parable of the talents to describe productive stewardship and multiplication of resources entrusted by the master.

U- Unveiling the Word

Προσεργάζομαι represents productive labor that results in increase or gain. In its New Testament context, it appears in the Parable of the Talents, describing the faithful servants who doubled their master’s investment through diligent trading. The compound structure emphasizes both additional effort and resultant gain. Early church fathers often used this term to discuss spiritual productivity and faithful stewardship of God’s gifts. Today, it continues to illustrate the principle of spiritual multiplication through faithful service and the productive use of God-given resources.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: προσεργάζομαι, prosergazomai, pros-er-GAD-zo-mai
• Pronunciation: Emphasis on ‘GAD’, with ‘pros’ quickly spoken, ‘mai’ unstressed
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• πρός (pros) – prefix meaning “in addition”
• ἐργάζομαι (ergazomai) – root verb meaning “to work, trade”
  The combination indicates additional work resulting in gain.

D – Defining Meanings

• To gain by trading
• To earn in addition
• To produce through work

For compound words:
The prefix πρός adds the concept of additional gain, while ἐργάζομαι provides the basic meaning of working or trading. Together, they create the idea of productive labor resulting in increase.

Translation Options:

• “to gain additionally” – emphasizes the increase aspect
• “to earn by trading” – captures the commercial context
• “to produce more” – reflects the multiplicative nature

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ἐργάζομαι (ergazomai, er-GAD-zo-mai) – to work, without emphasis on gain
  See G2038
• διαπραγματεύομαι (diapragmateuomai, dee-ap-rag-mat-YOO-om-ai) – to trade thoroughly
  See G1281
• κερδαίνω (kerdainō, ker-DAI-no) – to gain, profit
  See G2770

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a verb, προσεργάζομαι shows these morphological features:

• Tense: Aorist
• Voice: Middle/Deponent
• Mood: Indicative
• Person: 3rd
• Number: Singular
• Aspect: Punctiliar

The middle voice indicates personal involvement in the gain, while the aorist aspect suggests completed action with lasting results.

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its commercial usage in trading contexts. Thayer’s notes its connection to productive labor. LSJ provides evidence of its use in business transactions. Vine’s connects it to faithful stewardship. Strong’s highlights the compound nature affecting gain. LEH notes its use in contexts of increase. Moulton and Milligan cite papyri evidence of its use in business documents.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has [προσειργάσατο] gained ten minas more.’ Luke 19:16

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Προσεργάζομαι beautifully illustrates the principle of spiritual multiplication through faithful stewardship. Just as the servants in the parable produced increase through trading, believers are called to multiply God’s gifts through faithful service. The good news is that God provides both the resources and the opportunity for spiritual productivity in His kingdom.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word appears uniquely in Luke’s version of the Parable of the Minas
2. It was commonly used in ancient business contracts and financial reports
3. Early Christian writers used it metaphorically for spiritual growth and multiplication

Strong’s G4333: A compound verb combining pros (in addition) with ergazomai (to work, trade), meaning “to work additionally, to gain by trading.” Used specifically in Jesus’ parable of the talents to describe productive stewardship and multiplication of resources entrusted by the master.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: productivity, stewardship, trading, gain, multiplication, parables, faithful-service, business-terms, compound-verb, Luke’s-Gospel, kingdom-principles, spiritual-growth, investment, resources, increase​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​