πλεονεξία (pleonexia)
pleonexia
greediness
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun pleonexia describes a greedy desire to have more, often translated as covetousness or greediness. It captures the character and conduct of someone who aggressively seeks advantage at the expense of others. The sources link this concept directly to the Hebrew word betza, which means unjust gain or spoils, highlighting its roots in unfair acquisition rather than simple want.
This term appears ten times in the New Testament, with significant weight in Paul’s letters and Peter’s writings. In Romans 1:29, it is listed among other moral failures, while Ephesians 5:3 warns believers against even mentioning such impurity. Mark 7:22 includes it in a list of evil thoughts that proceed from within, showing its internal origin as well as external action.
Its force comes from the idea of wanting more than one’s share, often through unfair means. Translators usually render it "greed" or "covetousness," though these English words can feel narrow. The Greek points to a broader pattern of behavior driven by an insatiable desire for advantage.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word pleonexia points to a restless hunger for more than our share, often at the cost of others. It is not merely wanting something nice; it is an aggressive drive to accumulate advantage through unfair means. This greediness stems from a heart that trusts in possessions rather than in God’s provision.
Jesus warns us directly about this trap in Luke 12:15, reminding us that life is not defined by what we own. When we chase after more, we often find ourselves empty, while others suffer for our gain. Paul calls this behavior idolatry in Colossians 3:5 because it places created things above the Creator.
True freedom comes when we learn to be content with what God has given. By turning away from covetousness, we open our hands to receive grace and share generously with those in need. May you find your satisfaction in Christ alone, who gives more than any earthly wealth ever could.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- covetousness3×
- covetousness,2×
- in craving1×
- greediness.1×
- for greed —1×
- covetousness.1×
- covetous desires,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- πλεονεξίας,2×
- πλεονεξίᾳ.¶1×
- πλεονεξίᾳ,1×
- πλεονεξίᾳ1×
- πλεονεξίας1×
- πλεονεξίαν.1×
- πλεονεξίαν1×
- πλεονεξίαι,1×
- πλεονεξία1×
Key Verses
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Luke 12:15
He said to them, “Beware! Keep yourselves from covetousness, for a man’s life doesn’t consist of the abundance of the things which he possesses.”
Jesus uses this term to define the core error of trusting material abundance for life's security.
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Colossians 3:5
Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Paul identifies covetousness as idolatry, showing that greed replaces God with created things.
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II Peter 2:3
In covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words: whose sentence now from of old doesn’t linger, and their destruction will not slumber.
This verse shows how greedy people exploit others using deceptive words for personal gain.