φιλάργυρος (philarguros)
philarguros
money-loving
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective philarguros describes a person who is deeply attached to wealth, literally meaning "money-loving." It appears in only two New Testament passages: Luke 16:14 and 2 Timothy 3:2. In both instances, it characterizes a specific moral failing rather than simply possessing funds. The term captures an attitude where the desire for financial gain becomes a defining trait of one’s character.
Its structure combines the prefix phil- (love or affection) with arguros (silver or money). This etymology highlights that the issue is not merely having wealth, but the emotional and spiritual orientation toward it. In Luke 16:14, Jesus uses the word to describe Pharisees who "loved money" and sneered at Him, showing how this love for silver can lead to contempt for spiritual truth. Similarly, in 2 Timothy 3:2, Paul lists those who are philargyroi among the difficult times of the last days, placing it alongside selfishness and arrogance as a sign of moral decay.
Translators often render this word as "covetous" or "avaricious," which conveys the negative judgment inherent in the Greek. The sources emphasize that this love for money is a heart condition that distorts relationships and priorities. It stands in direct opposition to the trust in God that Jesus advocates, making it a serious warning against letting wealth dictate one’s values.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word philarguros describes a heart that has made wealth its primary affection. It is not simply about having money, but about letting the desire for silver shape your identity and choices. When love for money becomes central, it can quietly crowd out trust in God and lead to coldness toward others.
In Luke 16:14, Jesus notes that those who loved money scoffed at His teachings. This shows how attachment to wealth can harden the heart against spiritual truth. It is a warning to examine where our deepest security lies, rather than in bank accounts or possessions.
Paul echoes this concern in 2 Timothy 3:2, listing lovers of money among the signs of moral decay in difficult times. The invitation here is gentle: to find your worth and safety in Christ alone. When we release our grip on financial gain, we make room for generosity, peace, and a deeper reliance on God’s provision.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- lovers of money,1×
- lovers of money1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- φιλάργυροι,1×
- φιλάργυροι1×
Key Verses
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Luke 16:14
The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they scoffed at him.
This verse shows the word applied to Pharisees whose love for money led them to sneer at Jesus, linking financial attachment directly to spiritual arrogance.
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II Timothy 3:2
For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Here Paul places lovers of money alongside selfishness and arrogance as a defining trait of the last days, highlighting its role in broader moral decay.