τόκος (tokos)
tokos
interest
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun tokos literally means "birth" or "offspring," referring to that which is brought forth. In a metaphorical sense, it describes the natural increase or produce resulting from an origin, much like children are the offspring of parents.
When applied to finance in the New Testament, this word captures the idea of money "breeding" or multiplying itself through lending. It appears in Matthew 25:27 and Luke 19:23 within the parables where a master returns to settle accounts with his servants. The imagery suggests that interest is the natural yield or progeny of invested capital.
Translators typically render this term as "interest" rather than the more legally charged "usury," which often implies exploitative rates. By using a word rooted in biological reproduction, the text emphasizes the generative nature of the transaction itself, treating the profit as the living offspring of the original sum.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word tokos carries a vivid image of life growing from life. It is not just a cold calculation of profit, but something brought forth, like children from parents. When Jesus uses this term in His parables, He highlights the natural potential for increase within what we hold.
This perspective invites us to consider how our resources can serve others and honor God. Instead of letting gifts remain static, we are encouraged to use them wisely so they may bear fruit. It is a call to stewardship that values growth not for selfish gain, but as a faithful response to the trust placed in us.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- interest.1×
- interest1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- τόκῳ.1×
- τόκῳ1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 25:27
You ought therefore to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back my own with interest.
This verse uses tokos to show that even basic financial transactions should reflect responsible stewardship of the master's resources.
-
Luke 19:23
Then why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank, and at my coming, I might have earned interest on it?’
Here the word emphasizes the expected yield from deposited funds, framing interest as the natural offspring of invested capital rather than an abstract fee.