Simony is the commercialization of the sacred — the attempt to acquire spiritual power, office, or grace through money or worldly influence. Its name comes from the dramatic confrontation in Acts 8, where Simon of Samaria, a former sorcerer who had believed and been baptized, saw the apostles laying hands on people who then received the Holy Spirit. His response revealed his heart: "Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit" (Acts 8:19). Peter's rebuke was scalding: "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God" (Acts 8:20–21).
Simon's error was not merely transactional — it was theological. He had imported his former worldview as a sorcerer (power can be purchased and wielded) into the kingdom of God. But the gifts and calling of God are not for sale. The Spirit moves freely, sovereignly, and cannot be bought, commanded, or controlled by human wealth or manipulation. The church recognized this principle as foundational: the sacred is categorically different from the commercial. To treat it otherwise is to commit an offense not merely against church order but against the holiness of God Himself.
SIMONY, n. [from Simon Magus.] The crime of buying or selling ecclesiastical preferment; or the corrupt presentation of any one to an ecclesiastical benefice for money or reward. This is an offense against the purity of the church, which is not to traffic in spiritual gifts or offices. Simony was severely condemned by the councils of the early church and by civil law in many Christian nations. Its name is derived from Simon the sorcerer who offered money to the apostles for the power of bestowing the Holy Ghost. (Acts 8:18–19.)
Simony has never left the church — it merely changes its costume. In the medieval church it meant selling bishoprics and benefices to the highest bidder; wealthy nobles purchasing church offices for political control. Today it appears as: televangelists promising healing, favor, or blessing in direct exchange for financial donations — "sow a seed of $1,000 and receive your miracle." It appears as ministry platforms built on wealth display, where donors receive special access, personal prayer time, or backstage credibility. It appears as churches where the major donors exercise theological control — where the preacher softens sermons to protect the giving base. The prophetic rebuke is unchanged: "May your silver perish with you." The Holy Spirit cannot be purchased, and any system that implies otherwise is trafficking in something it does not own. The gifts of God are given freely by sovereign grace and can never be earned, purchased, or leveraged by human means.
• Acts 8:18–23 — The founding text: Simon Magus attempts to purchase the power of the Holy Spirit; Peter rebukes him sharply: "Your money perish with you."
• Matthew 10:8 — "Freely you have received; freely give." — Christ's foundational principle against simoniac exchange.
• 1 Timothy 6:5 — "Men who... imagine that godliness is a means of gain" — Paul's warning against those who monetize the sacred.
• 2 Peter 2:3 — "In their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep."
• John 2:13–16 — Christ cleansing the Temple: "Do not make my Father's house a house of trade." — The principle of sacred vs. commercial in its most dramatic form.
G1431 — δωρεά (dōrea) — "gift, free gift" — used in Acts 8:20: "the gift of God" cannot be bought; gifts are by definition not purchased but freely given.
G694 — ἀργύριον (argyrion) — "silver, money" — the instrument Simon tried to use; Peter's curse: "May your silver perish with you."
G4153 — πνευματικός (pneumatikos) — "spiritual" — the spiritual gifts and the Spirit Himself operate in an entirely different economy than money — they are given, not sold.
"Simony is not merely a medieval Catholic problem. Every time ministry access is sold and spiritual results are promised in exchange for donations, Simon Magus is in the room."
"'Freely you have received; freely give.' These eight words from Christ are the permanent antidote to every form of simony."
"Peter did not correct Simon gently. He cursed him. The severity of the rebuke reflects the severity of the offense — treating the holy as merchandise."