ἀργυροκόπος (argurokopos)
argurokopos
silversmith
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun argurokopos refers to a silversmith, a craftsman who shapes and works with silver. Its etymology is straightforward and descriptive: it combines the words for silver (argyron) and cutter or worker (kopos), literally meaning "silver-cutter." This compound structure clearly identifies the profession as one involving the cutting, beating, or refining of metal into usable forms.
In the New Testament, this term appears only once, in Acts 19:24. The context is significant, as it introduces Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis. His trade was not merely a hobby but a major economic driver in Ephesus, leading him to organize fellow craftsmen against Paul because the apostle’s preaching threatened their livelihood by undermining the worship of the goddess.
The scarcity of this word in Scripture highlights its specific narrative function rather than theological depth. It serves as a concrete detail that grounds the early church’s expansion in real-world economic and social conflicts. By naming Demetrius’ profession, the text illustrates how the spread of the gospel intersected with local industries, causing tangible disruption to established religious commerce.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word for silversmith appears just once in the New Testament, introducing Demetrius in Acts 19. He was a craftsman who shaped silver into shrines for the goddess Artemis. His trade supported many workers in Ephesus, making it a significant part of the local economy.
When Paul preached that idols are not gods, Demetrius saw his business threatened. This story shows how the gospel intersects with our daily work and livelihoods. It reminds us that following Christ can sometimes challenge the systems we depend on for income or status.
Your faith is not separate from your profession. Whether you work with metal, data, or people, your job matters to God. He sees the tension between worldly success and spiritual truth. You are invited to trust Him even when your career feels uncertain.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a silversmith1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀργυροκόπος1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 19:24
For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen,
This verse identifies Demetrius by his trade, showing how the gospel directly threatened a major local industry and its workers.