ῥᾳδιούργημα (rhadiourgēma)
rhadiourgēma
crime
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun rhadiourgēma refers to a reckless act or crime, carrying the specific nuance of villainy or knavery. It appears only once in the New Testament, in Acts 18:14, where Gallio dismisses charges against Paul by labeling them mere internal disputes rather than substantive crimes.
Its etymology reveals its force: it combines a root meaning "easy" with a word for "working," suggesting an action done with careless disregard for consequences. This distinguishes it from more calculated offenses; it describes wrongs committed through sloppiness or moral laxity rather than cold premeditation.
By using this term, the text highlights how legal systems might distinguish between serious felonies and lesser infractions. Gallio’s use of rhadiourgēma signals that he views the accusations as trivial matters of Jewish law, unworthy of Roman judicial attention.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word rhadiourgēma describes a reckless act or crime, one done with careless disregard rather than cold calculation. In Acts 18:14, the Roman proconsul Gallio uses this term to dismiss charges against Paul as trivial internal disputes among Jews. He sees these accusations not as serious felonies requiring Roman justice, but as sloppy infractions unworthy of his attention.
For your faith, this reminds us that not every opposition is a spiritual battle of epic proportions. Sometimes resistance comes from misunderstanding or petty grievances rather than genuine evil. Trusting God means recognizing when to stand firm and when to let trivial matters pass without engaging in unnecessary conflict.
This perspective brings peace. You are called to focus on what truly matters—faithfulness to Christ—rather than getting entangled in every minor accusation or criticism that comes your way.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- crime1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ῥᾳδιούργημα1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 18:14
But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If indeed it were a matter of wrong or of wicked crime, you Jews, it would be reasonable that I should bear with you;
Gallio uses this term to dismiss Paul's accusers, showing he views their complaints as trivial internal Jewish disputes rather than serious Roman crimes.