ἐμπορεύομαι (emporeuomai)
emporeuomai
to traffic in
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb emporeuomai describes the act of traveling for business or engaging in trade, derived from roots meaning "in" and "way." In the New Testament, it appears only twice, both times carrying a sharp critical tone regarding human motivation. It moves beyond simple commerce to suggest a calculated pursuit of profit, often at the expense of ethical boundaries.
James uses this word when warning against those who boast about future business plans without acknowledging God’s sovereignty (James 4:13). Here, it highlights the arrogance of treating life as a mere transaction. Peter employs it similarly to describe false teachers who exploit others for financial gain (2 Peter 2:3), framing their actions as trafficking in people rather than serving them.
This usage distinguishes honest labor from exploitative greed. While trade itself is neutral, emporeuomai captures the specific attitude of treating human beings or divine truths as commodities to be bought and sold. The sources note its connection to the LXX term for dealing in goods, reinforcing the image of a merchant weighing value against conscience.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word emporeuomai describes more than simple buying or selling; it points to a calculated pursuit of profit that often ignores ethical boundaries. In the New Testament, this term carries a sharp warning against treating life and relationships as mere transactions. It reminds us that our motivations matter deeply when we engage in business or plan for the future.
James uses this word to highlight the arrogance of making detailed plans without acknowledging God’s sovereignty. He warns against boasting about tomorrow as if it belongs entirely to us. Similarly, Peter connects this mindset to false teachers who exploit others for financial gain, treating people as commodities rather than neighbors in need. This distinction helps us see that trade itself is not wrong, but the heart behind it must be honest and humble.
When we reflect on how we use our time and resources, we can ask whether we are serving God or simply chasing profit. This word invites us to examine our intentions, ensuring that our actions honor others and trust in God’s provision rather than relying solely on our own schemes.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- will trade1×
- they will exploit,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐμπορεύσονται,1×
- ἐμπορευσόμεθα1×
Key Verses
-
James 4:13
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow let’s go into this city and spend a year there, trade, and make a profit.”
This verse uses the word to critique the arrogance of making detailed business plans without acknowledging God's sovereignty over the future.
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II Peter 2:3
In covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words: whose sentence now from of old doesn’t linger, and their destruction will not slumber.
Here the term describes false teachers who exploit believers for financial gain, framing their actions as trafficking in people rather than serving them.