αἰσχροκερδής
aischrokerdḗs
G146 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Primarily, pursuing profit or gain through disgraceful, base, or shameful means; one who is motivated by or seeks profit in a way that is considered morally objectionable or dishonorable. The term applies specifically to those who are greedy for personal advantage and do not hesitate to use corrupt, improper, or unethical methods in pursuit of material gain. In New Testament usage, particularly denotes persons such as overseers or elders who should not be characterized by this quality.
Semantic Range
seeking shameful or dishonest profit, pursuing base gain, motivated by disgraceful gain, greedy for unethical personal advantage
Root / Etymology
Compound of αἰσχρός (shameful, base) and κέρδος (gain, profit), literally meaning 'shameful profit' or 'base gain.' Thus, αἰσχροκερδής means 'one who seeks shameful gain.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
The word αἰσχροκερδής is rare in surviving Greek literature and chiefly attested in Hellenistic and Koine sources, notably in the New Testament (1 Timothy 3:8; Titus 1:7) and related Christian didactic material. It characterizes a person whose pursuit of material gain is marked by moral turpitude or social disgrace, often in contrast to virtues required for leadership roles. In LXX and classical sources, the moral color of κέρδος depends on context; here, the prefixed αἰσχρός gives unambiguously negative connotation. Standard English translations often render this as 'greedy for dishonest gain,' 'shamelessly profit-seeking,' or (older) 'greedy of filthy lucre,' but these may obscure the specifically dishonorable or disgraceful aspect signaled by αἰσχρός. The word targets the manner and motivation of seeking gain, not merely the act or amount. No equivalent term exists with identical nuance in earlier classical Greek, and the ethical evaluation it implies reflects both Hellenistic moral discourse and the standards of emerging Christian communities.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from αἰσχρός and (gain); sordid:--given to (greedy of) filthy lucre.
Root Family
αἰσχροκερδής (aischrokerdēs) — shameful, disgraceful, base; profit, gain
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G146-01 |
αἰσχροκερδῆ | aischrokerde | ADJ.S ACC M SG |
greedy for money | a seeker of shameful gain | seeker of shameful gain | 1 |
G146-02 |
αἰσχροκερδεῖς | aischrokerdeis | ADJ.S ACC M PL |
greedy for dishonest gain | shameful-gain seekers | shameful-gain seekers | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G146-02 |
1 Timothy 3:8 | αἰσχροκερδεῖς | aischrokerdeis | ADJ.S ACC M PL |
greedy for dishonest gain | shameful-gain seekers | shameful-gain seekers |
G146-01 |
Titus 1:7 | αἰσχροκερδῆ | aischrokerde | ADJ.S ACC M SG |
greedy for money | a seeker of shameful gain | seeker of shameful gain |