πλεονέκτης (pleonektēs)
pleonektēs
greedy
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun pleonektēs describes a person who is eager to have more, particularly what belongs to others. It goes beyond simple desire for wealth to include a covetous attitude that seeks advantage at the expense of neighbors. The word appears only four times in the New Testament, always within lists of serious moral failings.
Paul uses this term in 1 Corinthians and Ephesians to identify behaviors that exclude people from God’s kingdom. In these contexts, it is grouped with other vices like theft and slander, highlighting how greed disrupts community life. The sources indicate its root relates to having more, emphasizing the selfish accumulation rather than honest gain.
Translators typically render pleonektēs as "greedy" or "covetous," though these English words can feel narrow. The Greek term captures a specific relational harm: taking what is not yours. This usage reminds readers that ethical living involves respecting others' boundaries and possessions.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word pleonektēs describes a heart that eagerly seeks more, often at the expense of others. It is not simply about wanting wealth, but about a covetous attitude that takes what does not belong to us. This kind of greed disrupts community life and damages relationships with neighbors.
Paul mentions this trait in lists of behaviors that exclude people from God’s kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:10; Ephesians 5:5). He warns believers not to associate with those who claim to be brothers but live as pleonektēs, showing how serious this sin is. It reminds us that ethical living means respecting others' boundaries and possessions.
When we feel the pull of greed, we can turn to God for help. He offers contentment and peace that do not depend on having more. This word calls us to examine our hearts and choose generosity over selfish accumulation.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- covetous man,1×
- covetous1×
- coveters1×
- a coveter1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- πλεονέκτης,1×
- πλεονέκτης1×
- πλεονέκταις1×
- πλεονέκται1×
Key Verses
-
I Corinthians 5:11
But as it is, I wrote to you not to associate with anyone who is called a brother who is a sexual sinner, or covetous, or an idolater, or a slanderer, or a drunkard, or an extortionist. Don’t even eat with such a person.
Paul specifies that believers should not even eat with a brother who is covetous, showing how this sin breaks fellowship.
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Ephesians 5:5
Know this for sure, that no sexually immoral person, nor unclean person, nor covetous man (who is an idolater), has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God.
The text explicitly calls the covetous person an idolater, linking greed directly to worshiping created things instead of God.
-
I Corinthians 6:10
nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor extortionists, will inherit God’s Kingdom.
This verse lists the covetous among those who will not inherit God’s kingdom, highlighting the eternal consequences of this attitude.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does pleonektēs mean in the Bible?
How is pleonektēs different from simple desire?
Where does this word appear in Scripture?
Every Occurrence (4 verses across 2 books)
I Corinthians 3 verses
yet not at all meaning with the sexual sinners of this world, or with the covetous and extortionists, or with…
I Corinthians 5:11But as it is, I wrote to you not to associate with anyone who is called a brother who is a sexual sinner, or covetous,…
I Corinthians 6:10nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor extortionists, will inherit God’s Kingdom.