μίσθωμα (misthōma)
misthōma
rented home
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun misthōma refers to a rented home or hired dwelling. While it can broadly mean "hire" or "price," in the New Testament it appears only once with this specific architectural sense, describing where Paul stayed during his two-year imprisonment in Rome (Acts 28:30). This usage highlights a practical detail of early Christian ministry: even an apostle under house arrest required a secured place to live and receive visitors.
The word derives from the verb misthōō, meaning "to hire" or "to rent." Its occurrence in Acts underscores the ordinary nature of Paul’s situation; he was not in a palace but in a standard rented property. This detail grounds the narrative in everyday reality, showing that the spread of the Gospel often happened through mundane, legal arrangements rather than miraculous escapes.
Translators typically render it as "house" or "dwelling," capturing its function as a shelter for work and witness. The term’s rarity in Scripture emphasizes the uniqueness of this specific historical moment, where the freedom to preach coexisted with the constraints of Roman custody.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word misthōma points to a rented home, a simple dwelling where daily life unfolds. In Acts 28:30, we see Paul occupying such a place during his imprisonment in Rome. He did not live in a palace or a cell, but in a standard house he had hired for himself. This detail brings the biblical narrative down to earth, showing that God’s work often happens in ordinary settings.
Even while under house arrest, Paul used this rented space to welcome visitors and preach the Gospel freely. It reminds us that our current circumstances, whether comfortable or constrained, do not limit our ability to serve others. Faithfulness is found in how we use the time and place God provides, not in the grandeur of the location.
This small word highlights the reality that spiritual impact does not require perfect conditions. Paul’s rented house became a hub for ministry simply because he was open to receiving people there. We can find similar opportunities in our own homes, turning everyday spaces into places of connection and witness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- rented house1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- μισθώματι1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 28:30
Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house and received all who were coming to him,
This verse uses the word to describe Paul's specific living arrangement during his two-year imprisonment, grounding the narrative in a realistic historical setting.