ζημία (zēmia)
zēmia
damage/loss
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun zēmia denotes concrete damage or financial loss. In the New Testament it appears only four times, primarily in Acts and Philippians to describe tangible setbacks rather than abstract sorrow.
Paul uses this term with striking force in Philippians 3:7–8. He contrasts his former religious achievements with knowing Christ, declaring that what he once counted as profit he now considers loss (zēmia). The word highlights the total value shift required to follow Jesus, where spiritual gain outweighs every earthly cost.
Its usage in Acts 27:10 and 21 refers to material damage during a shipwreck. This practical application grounds the concept in real-world consequences. Translators typically render it as "loss" or "damage," preserving the sense of something subtracted from one’s possession.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word ζημὼα (zēmia) points to concrete damage or financial loss. In the New Testament it appears only four times, primarily in Acts and Philippians to describe tangible setbacks rather than abstract sorrow. Paul uses this term with striking force in Philippians 3:7–8. He contrasts his former religious achievements with knowing Christ, declaring that what he once counted as profit he now considers loss (zēmia). The word highlights the total value shift required to follow Jesus, where spiritual gain outweighs every earthly cost.
Its usage in Acts 27:10 and 21 refers to material damage during a shipwreck. This practical application grounds the concept in real-world consequences. Translators typically render it as "loss" or "damage," preserving the sense of something subtracted from one’s possession.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- loss2×
- loss;1×
- loss.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ζημίας1×
- ζημίαν·1×
- ζημίαν.1×
- ζημίαν1×
Key Verses
-
Philippians 3:7
However, I consider those things that were gain to me as a loss for Christ.
Paul redefines his former religious achievements as a loss (zēmia) for Christ, illustrating the radical value shift required to follow Jesus.
-
Philippians 3:8
Yes most certainly, and I count all things to be a loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ
Paul counts all things as loss (zēmia) for the excellency of knowing Christ, showing that spiritual gain outweighs every earthly cost.
-
Acts 27:10
and said to them, “Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.”
Paul warns of injury and much loss (zēmia), including cargo, ship, and lives, grounding the concept in real-world consequences.