ζημιόω (zēmioō)
zēmioō
to lose
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb zēmiōō describes the act of sustaining a loss or suffering damage. In the New Testament, it appears in six verses, most notably within the Gospels and Paul’s letter to the Philippians. The word carries a concrete sense of financial or material forfeiture, often referring to the reduction of one’s possessions or value.
A key distinction lies in its usage regarding what is lost. In Matthew 16:26 and Mark 8:36, Jesus asks what benefit there is if a person gains the whole world but forfeits their soul. Here, the word highlights the ultimate trade-off between earthly gain and eternal loss. Similarly, Luke 9:25 uses it to describe losing oneself.
In Philippians 3:8, Paul uses the active form to say he counts everything as loss compared to the knowledge of Christ. This usage underscores a voluntary decision to regard worldly advantages as damages or penalties when weighed against spiritual gain. The term thus bridges physical loss and deliberate renunciation for a higher purpose.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ζημιόω (zēmioō) speaks to the reality of loss, whether it involves material wealth or something far more precious. In everyday life, we often measure success by what we accumulate. Yet Scripture invites us to look deeper, asking what truly holds value when everything else fades away.
Jesus uses this term in the Gospels to highlight a profound trade-off: gaining the entire world means little if we forfeit our souls. It is a stark reminder that eternal life outweighs temporary gain. Paul echoes this sentiment in Philippians, describing how he counts all worldly advantages as loss compared to knowing Christ. This is not about self-harm, but about prioritizing what lasts forever.
When we face setbacks or give up something for the sake of faith, we are participating in a biblical pattern. It encourages us to view our choices through an eternal lens, finding peace in what we keep rather than sorrow over what we release.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- you may suffer loss1×
- to lose1×
- shall lose?1×
- he will suffer loss,1×
- having suffered the loss of?1×
- I have lost1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐζημιώθην1×
- ζημιωθῆτε1×
- ζημιωθῆναι1×
- ζημιωθῇ;1×
- ζημιωθήσεται,1×
- ζημιωθείς;1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 16:26
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life?
Jesus uses this word to pose a rhetorical question that defines the ultimate cost of discipleship, contrasting temporary worldly gain with eternal soul loss.
-
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 employs the term to describe his voluntary decision to regard all previous religious and social privileges as damage when weighed against the supreme value of knowing Christ.
-
Luke 9:25
For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits his own self?
This occurrence highlights the personal nature of the loss, emphasizing that gaining the world is futile if one forfeits their own self or soul in the process.