πλεονέκτης

a covetous person

Definition

πλεονέκτης refers to a person who is covetous, greedy, or avaricious, specifically one who seeks to gain more at the expense of others. In the New Testament, it describes someone whose desire for material possessions or advantage is so strong that it defines their character and actions, placing them in opposition to God's kingdom. In 1 Corinthians 5:10-11 and 6:10, Paul lists the πλεονέκτης among those who will not inherit the kingdom of God, equating this greed with serious sin. In Ephesians 5:5, it is explicitly linked with idolatry, showing that such covetousness is essentially worshiping created things rather than the Creator.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exclusively by the Apostle Paul in his epistles to churches, appearing four times. It is consistently used in ethical lists condemning vices that characterize a life outside of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 5:10-11, Paul instructs the church not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if they are a πλεονέκτης. In 1 Corinthians 6:10 and Ephesians 5:5, it appears in catalogues of sins that bar one from God's kingdom, showing its seriousness. The usage pattern is always negative and strongly admonitory.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek words πλέον (pleon), meaning 'more,' and ἔχω (echō), meaning 'to have.' Thus, a πλεονέκτης is literally 'one who has more' or 'one who desires to have more.' The term implies an insatiable and unjust desire to acquire beyond what is right or fair, often through exploitation. It is related to the noun πλεονεξία (pleonexia, G4124), meaning 'covetousness' or 'greed.'

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it identifies greed not merely as a personal failing but as a form of idolatry (Ephesians 5:5) that excludes a person from the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:10). It highlights the New Testament's radical call to contentment and trust in God over material security. Understanding this Greek term enriches Bible reading by revealing the serious spiritual danger of covetousness, which reorients worship from God to possessions and can destroy Christian community, as seen in Paul's instructions for church discipline in 1 Corinthians 5.

In the Greco-Roman world, the pursuit of wealth and honor was often seen as a virtue. A πλεονέκτης, however, represented the negative extreme of this—someone whose greedy ambition led them to exploit others, violating social bonds and justice. The New Testament's condemnation of this attitude stood in stark contrast to cultural norms that often celebrated accumulation. For the early church, which included many poor members, greed was particularly destructive to community unity and witness.

φιλάργυρος (philargyros, G5366) — emphasizes love of money/silver specifically. πλεονεξία (pleonexia, G4124) — the abstract noun for the vice of covetousness/greed, rather than the person.

Word Details

Scripture References