μισθός (misthos)
misthos
wage
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 28 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun misthos refers to payment for labor, whether called wages, hire, or salary. In the New Testament it appears in everyday contexts, such as the landowner paying day workers in Matthew 20:8 or Jesus instructing missionaries that “the worker deserves his food” in Luke 10:7. It also describes the earnings of those who acted unjustly, as when Judas received his thirty pieces of silver (Acts 1:18) or false teachers are said to profit from greed (2 Peter 2:15).
More significantly, misthos carries a theological weight as the reward God gives for faithful service. Jesus warns against performing acts of righteousness merely to be seen by others, because such motives yield no divine reward (Matthew 6:1-5). Paul expands this idea in 1 Corinthians 3, explaining that believers will receive their own misthos according to the quality of their work on the foundation of Christ. This usage reflects the Hebrew concept of sekar, linking human effort with divine acknowledgment.
The term underscores a principle found throughout Scripture: actions have consequences and faithful service is recognized by God. Translators typically render misthos as “reward” in spiritual contexts and “wages” or “hire” in economic ones. The distinction highlights that while earthly labor earns a living, spiritual labor yields eternal significance.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word misthos reminds us that our lives are not random events but purposeful actions with lasting significance. In everyday life, it refers to the wages paid for labor, a concept Jesus used to show that those who serve God deserve their keep. Yet in Scripture, it points to something deeper: the recognition God gives for faithful living. This is not about earning salvation, which is a free gift, but about the joy of seeing our efforts valued by the Creator.
When we serve others or stand firm in faith, we might feel unseen by the world. Jesus assures us that such acts are recorded in heaven. Whether it is a simple cup of water given to a neighbor or enduring hardship for righteousness, God notices. This perspective turns daily duties into eternal investments, encouraging us to live with integrity and hope.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 28 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- reward15×
- a reward4×
- wages3×
- [the] reward2×
- wage1×
- reward?1×
- for reward1×
- [the] wage1×
- [as the] wage1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- μισθὸν18×
- μισθὸς5×
- μισθοῦ4×
- μισθός;1×
- μισθός1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 5:12
Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
This verse connects present persecution with a future heavenly reward, offering hope to those facing opposition for their faith.
-
Matthew 6:1
“Be careful that you don’t do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
Here Jesus warns that seeking human approval cancels out the divine reward, highlighting the importance of sincere motives.
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I Corinthians 3:8
Now he who plants and he who waters are the same, but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
Paul clarifies that while God does the growing, each servant receives a reward based on their specific labor and faithfulness.
-
Luke 10:7
Remain in that same house, eating and drinking the things they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Don’t go from house to house.
Jesus uses this term to affirm that those who spread the gospel have a right to material support from those they serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does misthos mean in the New Testament?
Is receiving a reward the same as earning salvation?
Where else does this word appear?
Every Occurrence (28 verses across 13 books)
Matthew 9 verses
Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who…
Matthew 5:46For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?
Matthew 6:1“Be careful that you don’t do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from…
Matthew 6:2Therefore, when you do merciful deeds, don’t sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues…
Matthew 6:5“When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the…
Matthew 6:16“Moreover when you fast, don’t be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces that they may be…
Matthew 10:41He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. He who receives a righteous man in…
Matthew 10:42Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, most certainly I…
Matthew 20:8“When evening had come, the lord of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages,…