χρῆμα (chrēma)
chrēma
money
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun chrēma literally means “a thing” or “a matter,” derived from a root related to use or need. In the New Testament, it appears only seven times, primarily in Luke’s writings and Acts. While its basic sense covers general affairs or events, the text most often uses it in the plural to refer specifically to wealth or riches. This is evident when Jesus observes how difficult it is for those with “riches” (Mark 10:23) to enter the kingdom of God.
When used in the singular, chrēma can denote a specific sum of money or property transaction. Acts 4:37 records Barnabas selling a field and bringing the proceeds, described as “the money,” to the apostles. In Acts 8, Simon Magus offers “money” for spiritual power, highlighting how the term grounds abstract concepts of value in tangible assets. The word bridges the gap between general business matters and concrete financial resources.
This usage reflects a practical view of possessions as tools or matters of concern rather than abstract ideals. Translators typically render it as “money,” “riches,” or “property” depending on context. The term’s presence in Luke-Acts underscores the early Christian community’s engagement with material goods, treating wealth not merely as status but as a tangible resource for communal life and spiritual testing.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word chrēma reminds us that wealth is simply a thing—a matter of practical concern rather than an abstract idol. In the New Testament, it appears mostly in Luke and Acts to describe tangible resources like silver or property sales. This grounding helps us see money not as a spiritual power, but as a tool for communal life or a test of our hearts.
When Jesus speaks of those who have riches, He highlights the danger of trusting in these material things instead of God. The early church treated wealth as something to be shared, as seen when Barnabas brought the proceeds from his field to the apostles. This example invites us to consider how we use our resources.
Simon Magus tried to buy spiritual power, showing that chrēma can also reveal a heart turned away from grace. By keeping our focus on God rather than silver, we find freedom from the anxiety of accumulation and the temptation to control others. May you find peace in using your resources for good.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- riches4×
- money3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- χρήματα4×
- χρῆμα1×
- χρήμασιν1×
- χρημάτων1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 10:23
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into God’s Kingdom!”
This verse uses the plural form to highlight the specific spiritual danger that wealth poses to entering God's Kingdom.
-
Acts 4:37
having a field, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Here the singular term refers to the concrete proceeds from a land sale, illustrating the early church's practice of communal sharing.
-
Acts 8:20
But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
Peter condemns Simon for thinking the gift of God could be acquired with chrēma, marking money as an inadequate currency for grace.