πλουτέω (plouteō)
plouteō
be rich
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 12 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb plouteō describes the state of being rich or having an abundance of resources. While it can refer to material wealth, as seen in Luke’s account where God fills the hungry with good things while sending the rich away empty (Luke 1:53), its most distinctive usage is spiritual. The term frequently appears in Revelation to describe a condition of the soul, often contrasting earthly poverty with divine richness.
A key nuance lies in how this wealth is accessed. In passages like Revelation 18, those who grow rich are depicted as doing so through trade and exploitation, leading to their eventual downfall. Conversely, the word describes God’s generosity toward believers, such as when Paul notes that Christ became poor so that others might become rich through him (2 Corinthians 8:9). This highlights a reversal of values where spiritual abundance is found in self-giving rather than accumulation.
The sources also note its metaphorical use for being rich toward God. Jesus warns against storing up treasure for oneself while not being rich in what matters to God (Luke 12:21), framing the concept as a matter of eternal priority. Translators typically render it simply as "be rich," but the context often demands an understanding of wealth as a spiritual resource available to all who seek it, rather than a measure of personal status.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word plouteō invites us to look past material accumulation and consider a deeper, spiritual abundance. While it can describe earthly wealth, its most profound application points to the richness found in our relationship with God. This is not about status or bank accounts, but about the fullness of grace that fills the soul when we turn to the Lord.
Consider the example of Jesus in 2 Corinthians 8:9. Though He possessed infinite glory, He chose poverty so that we might become rich through His sacrifice. This reversal shows that true wealth is accessed through humility and receiving God’s grace, not through our own efforts or accumulation. It is a gift given freely to those who call on Him.
We are also warned against the trap of self-sufficiency, as seen in Revelation 3:17, where claiming to need nothing leads to spiritual blindness. Instead, we are invited to be rich toward God (Luke 12:21), storing up treasures that last beyond this life. This richness is characterized by good works and a generous heart, reflecting the character of our Lord.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 12 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to be rich2×
- you may be rich,1×
- you have been enriched,1×
- were enriched.1×
- were enriched1×
- may be enriched.1×
- is rich1×
- having been enriched1×
- being rich.1×
- [those] being rich1×
- I have grown rich1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- πλουτεῖν2×
- ἐπλούτησαν.¶1×
- ἐπλούτησαν1×
- ἐπλουτήσατε,1×
- πλουτῶν.1×
- πλουτῶν1×
- πλουτήσῃς,1×
- πλουτήσητε.1×
- πλουτήσαντες1×
- πλουτοῦντας1×
- πεπλούτηκα1×
Key Verses
-
II Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.
This verse establishes the theological foundation for spiritual wealth, showing that Christ's poverty is the means by which believers receive true richness.
-
Luke 12:21
So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
Here the word defines the proper orientation of a believer's life, contrasting self-centered accumulation with being rich toward God.
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Revelation of John 3:17
Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing,’ and don’t know that you are the wretched one, miserable, poor, blind, and naked;
This occurrence serves as a stark warning against mistaking material comfort for spiritual health, highlighting the danger of feeling self-sufficient.
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Romans 10:12
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich to all who call on him.
It demonstrates that God's richness is universally available to all who call on Him, regardless of their background or status.