Understanding ἀποθησαυρίζω (apothēsaurizō) Strong’s G597: Laying Up Spiritual Treasures for an Eternal Foundation

Pronunciation Guide: ah-po-thay-sow-RID-zo

Basic Definition

Strong’s G597: To treasure up, store away for future use, or lay up in store. This compound verb combines the concepts of deliberate setting aside (ἀπό) with the act of accumulating treasure (θησαυρίζω), suggesting a purposeful investment in eternal riches rather than temporal wealth. The word carries the nuance of securing something valuable for a future time.

Etymology and Morphology

• Verb (Present Active Infinitive)
• Compound word: ἀπό (from/away) + θησαυρίζω (to store up treasure)
• Primary usage in teaching passages
• Rare in New Testament (hapax legomenon)
• Used in contexts of eternal investment

ἀποθησαυρίζω Morphology:

• ἀποθησαυρίζω (present active infinitive) – to store up treasure
• ἀποθησαυρίζοντες (present active participle nominative plural masculine) – those who are storing up treasure
• ἀποθησαυρίζειν (present active infinitive) – to be storing up treasure

Origin & History

The word ἀποθησαυρίζω emerges from classical Greek economic and philosophical literature. Aristotle uses it in his “Politics” (1.8) when discussing the accumulation of wealth for future security. The compound form with ἀπό intensifies the base verb θησαυρίζω, suggesting a deliberate setting aside of resources.

In the Septuagint, while the simple form θησαυρίζω appears frequently, the compound ἀποθησαυρίζω is rare, highlighting its specialized use in the New Testament for spiritual investment. The church father John Chrysostom, in his homilies on 1 Timothy, emphasizes this word’s spiritual significance in contrast to earthly wealth accumulation.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• To store up treasure with specific future purpose
• To invest in eternal securities
• To lay aside wealth for divine purposes
• To accumulate spiritual capital

ἀποθησαυρίζω Translation Options:

• “Laying up in store” – Emphasizes the future-oriented nature of the action
• “Storing up treasure” – Highlights the valuable nature of what is being preserved
• “Investing for the future” – Captures the purposeful financial metaphor
• “Building a foundation” – Reflects the security aspect implied by ἀπό prefix

Biblical Usage

The word appears uniquely in 1 Timothy 6:19 within a crucial passage about proper stewardship of wealth. Paul uses it to instruct wealthy believers about transforming temporal riches into eternal treasure through generous living. The context directly contrasts earthly and heavenly investments, with ἀποθησαυρίζω serving as the bridge between them.

While the compound form appears only once, the root θησαυρίζω appears in several significant passages that illuminate its meaning:

• “Laying up [ἀποθησαυρίζω] a good foundation for the future” – 1 Timothy 6:19
• “But store up [θησαυρίζω] for yourselves treasures in heaven” – Matthew 6:20
• “You are storing up [θησαυρίζω] wrath for yourself” – Romans 2:5
• “In which are hidden [ἀπόκρυφοι] all the treasures [θησαυροί]” – Colossians 2:3

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Mediterranean world, the practice of storing treasure was both common and complex. Wealthy individuals would often divide their resources between immediately accessible wealth and long-term investments stored in secure locations. The term ἀποθησαυρίζω would have evoked images of the elaborate treasury systems of temples and kingdoms, where valuable items were carefully cataloged and protected.

The Jewish concept of tzedakah (righteous giving) provides important background for understanding this term. Unlike simple philanthropy, tzedakah was seen as storing up merit with God through obedient generosity. This cultural understanding enriches Paul’s use of ἀποθησαυρίζω to describe spiritual investment through material generosity.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀποθησαυρίζω in 1 Timothy 6:19 reveals a profound theological truth about the relationship between present stewardship and eternal reality. It suggests that our current choices about wealth and generosity have lasting spiritual consequences, creating an “eternal weight of glory” as Paul describes in 2 Corinthians 4:17.

This word beautifully illustrates God’s economy where earthly resources can be transformed into eternal treasure through faithful stewardship. It points to the Messiah’s teaching that our heart follows our treasure, suggesting that generous giving isn’t just about benefiting others but about storing up spiritual riches that align our hearts with God’s kingdom purposes.

Personal Application

Understanding ἀποθησαυρίζω challenges us to view our resources through an eternal lens. Every financial decision becomes an opportunity to either store up earthly treasure that will fade or invest in eternal securities that appreciate forever. This word invites us to ask ourselves: “Am I storing up treasure in the right place?”

The compound nature of the word reminds us that spiritual investment requires deliberate action – we must purposefully set aside (ἀπό) resources for God’s kingdom rather than defaulting to worldly accumulation. This challenges us to be intentional about our giving and stewardship.

Related Words

• θησαυρίζω (thēsaurizō) – to store up, gather, save; the root word focused on the act of accumulating treasure without the specific directional focus. See G2343
• θησαυρός (thēsauros) – treasure, storehouse; the noun form referring to accumulated wealth or its storage place. See G2344
• πλουτέω (plouteō) – to be rich, become wealthy; focuses on the state of having abundance rather than the act of storing it. See G4147
• συνάγω (sunagō) – to gather together, collect; a more general term for accumulation without the specific connotation of treasuring. See G4863

Did you Know?

• The prefix ἀπό in ἀποθησαυρίζω suggests a deliberate “setting apart” of treasure, similar to how the ancient temples would have specific rooms dedicated solely to storing valuable offerings and gifts.
• In ancient Greek banking practices, the term was sometimes used for special accounts where wealth was set aside for specific future purposes, similar to modern trust funds or endowments.
• The concept behind ἀποθησαυρίζω appears in modern Greek financial terminology, where “αποθεματικό” (derived from the same root) refers to financial reserves or provisions set aside for future use.

Remember This

ἀποθησαυρίζω represents the divine investment strategy where earthly generosity becomes eternal treasure, transforming temporary resources into an everlasting foundation.