νοσφίζω

I rob, purloin

Definition

The verb νοσφίζω (nosphizō) primarily means 'to rob' or 'to steal,' but it carries a specific nuance of misappropriating something entrusted to one's care. In its middle voice form, it means 'to set apart for oneself' or 'to appropriate secretly,' implying a breach of trust. In Acts 5:2-3, it describes Ananias and Sapphira secretly keeping back part of the proceeds from a property sale, which was deceitfully withheld from the apostolic community. In Titus 2:10, it instructs slaves not to 'pilfer' from their masters, emphasizing honesty with entrusted property.

Biblical Usage

This word appears only three times in the New Testament, all illustrating a failure in fiduciary responsibility. In Acts 5:2-3, it is used in the middle voice to describe the covert, selfish appropriation of funds within the early church, a context of communal sharing. In Titus 2:10, it is used in the active voice in a household code, commanding slaves not to steal from their masters. The usage consistently involves a violation of trust in a relational or economic context.

Etymology

The origin of νοσφίζω is somewhat obscure but is generally thought to be related to the idea of 'setting apart' or 'removing.' It may derive from a root meaning 'to deprive.' In classical Greek, it could mean to set aside or save, but in the New Testament, it developed the negative connotation of secretly and dishonestly setting something aside for oneself, hence 'to embezzle' or 'purloin.'

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it highlights the seriousness of deceit and hypocrisy within the covenant community. The story in Acts 5 connects the act of νοσφίζω not merely to theft but to 'lying to the Holy Spirit' (Acts 5:3), showing how misappropriation is a spiritual offense against God. It underscores that God values integrity in stewardship, whether of communal resources (Acts) or an employer's property (Titus). Understanding this Greek term reveals that the sin was not just in the amount kept back, but in the secret, faithless heart behind the action.

In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of 'purloining' (νοσφίζω) was particularly relevant in contexts of slavery and patronage, where servants or dependents had access to a master's goods. Theft by such persons was considered a profound breach of the social bond of trust (fides). In Acts, the cultural context is the voluntary communal sharing of the early Jerusalem church (Acts 4:32-37), where secretly withholding was a betrayal of that shared commitment and the authority of the apostles.

κλέπτω (kleptō, G2813) — a more general term for 'to steal' or 'to commit theft.' νοσφίζω often implies stealing what is entrusted, while κλέπτω is broader. ἀποστερέω (apostereō, G650) — means 'to defraud,' 'to deprive,' or 'to withhold wrongfully,' focusing on the result of depriving someone of what is rightfully theirs.

Word Details

Scripture References