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G4147 · Greek · New Testament
πλουτέω
Plouteo
Verb
To be rich, to become wealthy — materially or spiritually

Definition

The Greek verb plouteo (from ploutos, G4149, riches/wealth) means to be rich or to become wealthy. It appears in Luke 1:53 (the rich sent away empty), Luke 12:21 (not rich toward God), Romans 10:12 (the Lord richly blesses all who call on him), 1 Timothy 6:9 (those who want to get rich), 1 Timothy 6:18 (rich in good deeds), and Revelation 3:17 (the Laodicean church: 'I am rich...'). The word bridges material and spiritual wealth.

Usage & Theological Significance

The Laodicean church's declaration 'I am peplouteqa (I have become rich) and need nothing' (Revelation 3:17) represents the supreme spiritual danger of self-sufficiency — the man who thinks himself rich but is, before God, 'wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.' Jesus contrasts this with his counsel to buy from him 'gold refined in the fire' — true spiritual wealth. In Romans 10:12, God's richness is toward 'all who call on him' — wealth that is freely and abundantly given, not earned.

Key Bible Verses

Revelation 3:17 You say, 'I am rich [peplouteqa]; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.'
Luke 12:21 This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich [ploutōn] toward God.
Romans 10:12 The same Lord is Lord of all and richly [ploutōn] blesses all who call on him.
1 Timothy 6:9 Those who want to get rich [ploutein] fall into temptation and a trap.
2 Corinthians 8:9 Though he was rich [plousios], yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich [ploutesete].

Related Words

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