ὕπαρξις (huparxis)
huparxis
property
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun huparxis refers to one’s substance or property, encompassing both material wealth and personal assets. In the New Testament it appears only twice, yet its usage is distinctively concrete. It denotes the tangible goods a person owns, rather than abstract existence.
This term highlights the practical reality of Christian generosity. In Acts 2:45, believers sold their possessions to distribute the proceeds to those in need, while Hebrews 10:34 notes that Christians gladly accepted the confiscation of their property. The word captures the physical cost of faithfulness.
Its root verb, huparchō, means "to be" or "to belong to." By shifting from existence to ownership, huparxis grounds spiritual commitment in material reality. It reminds readers that discipleship often involves the surrender of earthly holdings for the sake of the community.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word huparxis points to something very real: what we actually own. It is not about abstract ideas or spiritual status, but the tangible goods, money, and assets in our hands. When the New Testament uses this term, it grounds faith in physical reality. We are reminded that our resources are part of our daily lives and our witness.
In Acts 2:45, early believers sold their huparxis to help those who lacked basic needs. This was not a loss, but a shift toward community care. Later, Hebrews 10:34 shows Christians accepting the seizure of their property with joy, because they held onto something more lasting in heaven. Your possessions can become tools for love and trust.
This word invites us to look at our own resources with open eyes. It asks how we might use what we have to support others or stand firm in faith when things are taken away. The focus is not on hoarding, but on holding loosely and giving freely. May you find peace in knowing that your true security rests in God, not in what you keep.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- possession1×
- goods1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὕπαρξιν1×
- ὑπάρξεις1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 2:45
They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need.
This verse shows huparxis as the tangible assets sold by believers to meet the immediate physical needs of the community.
-
Hebrews 10:34
For you both had compassion on me in my chains and joyfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and an enduring one in the heavens.
Here, huparxis refers to property confiscated by authorities, which Christians accepted joyfully because they trusted in a better heavenly reward.