ἀποστερέω (apostereō)
apostereō
to defraud
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb apostereō means to defraud or rob someone of what is rightly theirs. It carries a strong sense of injustice, often involving the misappropriation of trust funds or the withholding of due rights. In classical usage, it frequently described financial dishonesty, but in Scripture, it applies broadly to any act of depriving another person.
This word appears six times in the New Testament, with significant occurrences in 1 Corinthians and Mark. Jesus uses it when listing commandments against cheating (Mark 10:19), while Paul warns the Corinthian church that they are actually wronging and defrauding their own brothers (1 Corinthians 6:8). The term can also be used passively to describe being bereft of something, as seen in 1 Timothy 6:5.
Its root combines a prefix indicating separation or removal with a base meaning "to make bare" or "deprive." This etymology highlights the active nature of the wrong: it is not merely failing to give, but actively taking away what belongs to another. Translators typically render it as "defraud," "rob," or "wrong," capturing the moral weight of stealing from a neighbor.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ἀποστερέω reminds us that fairness is not just a legal requirement but a core part of our witness as believers. It describes actively taking what belongs to another, whether through withholding wages, breaking trust in business, or denying a spouse their rightful place in the relationship. This is not merely a failure to give; it is an active stripping away of someone’s due rights.
When we interact with others, this command challenges us to look beyond the letter of the law. It invites us to consider how our actions might deprive others of dignity or resources. By choosing honesty and generosity, we protect our relationships from the erosion of suspicion and resentment. This kind of integrity reflects the character of God, who gives freely and expects us to do the same.
In your daily life, this word calls for a simple check: Am I giving what is rightly owed? Whether in employment, marriage, or friendship, treating others with this level of respect honors Christ. It builds trust and creates space for grace to flow between people, rather than blocking it with selfishness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- shall you defraud,1×
- kept back1×
- do deprive1×
- defrauded1×
- defraud,1×
- be defrauded?1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀποστερήσῃς,1×
- ἀποστερεῖτε,1×
- ἀποστερεῖτε1×
- ἀποστερεῖσθε;1×
- ἀπεστερημένων1×
- ἀπεστερημένος1×
Key Verses
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Mark 10:19
You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not give false testimony,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and mother.’”
Jesus includes this command among the foundational moral laws, showing that financial and relational integrity is essential to following Him.
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I Corinthians 6:8
No, but you yourselves do wrong and defraud, and that against your brothers.
Paul sharply rebukes the church for not only suing each other but actively defrauding their own brothers, highlighting the severity of harming fellow believers.
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James 5:4
Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you have kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of those who reaped have entered into the ears of the Lord of Armies.
This verse illustrates the tangible injustice of withholding earned wages, showing how such fraud cries out to God for justice.