χρῆμα

money, riches

Definition

χρῆμα refers to money, riches, or possessions in a concrete sense. In the New Testament, it consistently denotes material wealth or financial resources, often with a focus on their use or danger. For example, in Acts 4:37, it describes the proceeds from the sale of property that Barnabas donated to the early church. In the teachings of Jesus in Mark 10:23-24 and Luke 18:24, it specifically signifies the 'riches' that can make it difficult for a person to enter the kingdom of God. The word can also imply a bribe or payment for corrupt purposes, as seen when Felix hoped Paul would offer him money (χρῆμα) in Acts 24:26.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exclusively in narrative and teaching contexts within the Gospels and Acts. Its usage highlights the practical and spiritual challenges associated with wealth. In the Synoptic Gospels (Mark 10:23-24, Luke 18:24), Jesus uses it to warn about the spiritual peril of riches. In Acts, it appears in positive, neutral, and negative financial transactions: a generous donation (Acts 4:37), a sinful attempt to buy spiritual power (Acts 8:18, 20), and a hoped-for bribe (Acts 24:26).

Etymology

Derived from the verb χράομαι (chraomai, G5530), meaning 'to use' or 'to need.' Thus, χρῆμα fundamentally means 'a thing that is used' or 'a useful thing,' which naturally narrowed to refer specifically to money and possessions as the primary 'useful things' in economic life.

Semantic Range

χρῆμα is theologically significant as it is the term Jesus uses when declaring how hard it is for the rich to enter God's kingdom (Mark 10:23-24). It underscores the New Testament's consistent teaching that material wealth poses a profound spiritual danger, potentially becoming an idol that distracts from total dependence on God. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by connecting the concrete 'money' to the deeper idea of a 'useful thing' one might wrongly rely upon instead of God.

In the Greco-Roman world, χρῆμα was a common term for money, wealth, or property. Unlike some broader terms for 'riches,' it typically pointed to tangible financial resources or currency. This aligns with its biblical usage, where it often involves actual coins or the proceeds from a sale. The cultural understanding that wealth could buy influence or favors is reflected in its use for a bribe in Acts 24:26.

πλοῦτος (ploutos, G4149) — emphasizes abundance and wealth in a more general or abstract sense. μάμμωνᾶς (mamōnas, G3126) — an Aramaic loanword personifying wealth as a master or deity, often with negative connotations.

Word Details

Scripture References