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G2142 · Greek · New Testament
εὐπορία
euporia
Noun, Feminine
Wealth / prosperity / financial abundance

Definition

The Greek noun euporia (εὐπορία) means wealth, prosperity, financial ease, abundance of means. The noun form of euporeō, it appears once in the NT — Acts 19:25 — in a context dripping with irony: the silversmith Demetrius rallies his guild around their euporia (their livelihood) which is threatened by Paul's gospel.

Usage & Theological Significance

Acts 19:25 is one of the NT's most honest exposures of economic idolatry. Demetrius frames his grievance in religious terms ("the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing") but reveals his true motive first: "You know that from this business we have our wealth (euporia)." The gospel always threatens certain economies — those built on false worship, exploitation, and the manufacture of idols. When people encounter Christ, shrines close and silversmiths lose income. Demetrius is not wrong that Paul's preaching threatens his euporia; he is wrong that his euporia is worth protecting at the cost of truth. The church must be willing to threaten comfort and profit when truth demands it.

Key Bible Verses

Acts 19:25 These he gathered together, along with the workmen in similar trades, and said, 'Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth.'
1 Timothy 6:9-10 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare... For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.
Luke 12:15 ...Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.

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