συλάω (sulaō)
sulaō
to rob
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb sulaō means to strip someone of their possessions or to plunder them. It describes a violent act of taking what belongs to another by force, leaving the victim empty-handed. This word appears only once in the New Testament, in 2 Corinthians 11:8, where Paul uses it to describe his own ministry.
In that passage, Paul explains that he did not burden any church with financial demands. Instead, he states that he robbed other churches by accepting their support so he could serve the Corinthians without cost. Here, sulaō carries a paradoxical weight: Paul frames his voluntary poverty and acceptance of gifts as a kind of "robbery" against those who wanted to pay him, highlighting his selfless dedication to the gospel.
Its root suggests stripping or laying bare, emphasizing the completeness of the loss suffered by the robbed party. Translators typically render it as "robbed" or "plundered," capturing the forceful nature of the action even when applied metaphorically to financial arrangements. The term underscores the intensity of Paul’s sacrifice, contrasting his lack of personal gain with the generosity he received from others.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Paul’s use of this rare word in 2 Corinthians 11:8 presents a striking paradox. He claims to have "robbed" other churches by accepting their financial support, not for his own gain, but to serve the Corinthian believers freely. This vivid language highlights the extreme lengths he went to avoid becoming a burden to those he loved.
For your faith life, this reminds us that true ministry often involves self-sacrifice rather than personal profit. It challenges us to consider how we use our resources. Are we hoarding what God has given, or are we willing to give it away so others can receive the help they need? Paul’s example invites us to look beyond our own comfort and prioritize the needs of the community.
When we serve without expecting payment or recognition, we reflect the heart of Christ. This word encourages us to be generous, even when it costs us something. It is a call to lay down our rights for the sake of others, finding joy in giving rather than receiving.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- I robbed1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐσύλησα1×
Key Verses
-
II Corinthians 11:8
I robbed other assemblies, taking wages from them that I might serve you.
Paul uses this strong verb paradoxically to describe how he accepted support from other churches to serve the Corinthians without charging them, highlighting his selfless dedication.