πιπράσκω (pipraskō)

The verb pipraskō signifies the act of selling, covering a range of transactions from disposing of property to the transfer of persons into slavery. In the Gospels and Acts, it appears in accounts where disciples sell their possessions to support the early church (Acts 2:45; 4:34) or when a woman’s expensive ointment is valued at a specific price (Mark 14:5). It also describes the harsh reality of debt, such as when a servant is sold to pay what he owes (Matthew 18:25).

Its most striking usage occurs in Romans 7:14, where Paul employs it metaphorically to describe the human condition under sin. Here, pipraskō conveys that people are "sold under sin," implying a state of total bondage and lack of freedom. This vivid image suggests that without divine intervention, individuals are not merely tempted but are effectively property of sin’s power, highlighting the depth of spiritual need.

Etymologically, the word is a reduplicated form of prao, emphasizing the completeness or intensity of the transaction. While often translated simply as "sell," its contextual weight in Romans points to a permanent loss of autonomy. This distinction helps readers grasp why Paul uses such strong commercial language to describe spiritual slavery rather than just moral failure.