ἀφιλάργυρος
aphilárgyros
G866 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Not loving money; free from love of money. The primary meaning is 'not greedy for material gain,' often in the sense of being content or not motivated by financial gain, particularly in contexts requiring integrity or incorruptibility. The term describes a disposition or character trait that resists avarice, especially among those in leadership or service roles.
Semantic Range
not greedy, not covetous, free from love of money, not motivated by material gain, content with what one has
Root / Etymology
From α- (a-, a negative particle 'not') + φιλάργυρος (philárgyros, 'loving money; covetous'). The latter is composed of φίλος ('loving, fond of') and ἄργυρος ('silver, money'). Thus, ἀφιλάργυρος literally means 'not loving money.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
The word ἀφιλάργυρος is rare in extant Greek literature and primarily found in later Hellenistic and Koine texts, including the New Testament (e.g., 1 Tim 3:3; Heb 13:5) where it characterizes proper attitudes toward wealth, notably for community leaders or the faithful generally. In classical Greek, aversion to greed or avarice was represented by descriptions rather than this compound adjective. The term signifies more than a mere lack of greed; it connotes a proactive contentment or resistance to material temptation. Standard English translations such as 'free from the love of money' or 'not greedy' capture the general sense but may miss the nuance of an intentional stance against avarice. In the broader cultural context—Greek, Israelite/Judean, and emerging Christian communities—this quality was an ethical expectation in leaders and is contrasted with both φιλάργυρος ('money-loving') and πλεονέκτης ('covetous, greedy'). The latter term (πλεονέκτης) is more general for all forms of greed, whereas ἀφιλάργυρος focuses specifically on the desire for monetary or material wealth.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from Α (as a negative particle) and φιλάργυρος; unavaricious:--without covetousness, not greedy of filthy lucre.
Root Family
ἀφιλάργυρος (aphilárgyros) — not loving money, free from avarice, content
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G866-02 |
ἀφιλάργυρος | aphilarguros | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
without love of money | not loving money | without love of money | 1 |
G866-01 |
ἀφιλάργυρον | aphilarguron | ADJ.S ACC M SG |
not loving money | not loving money | not loving money | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G866-01 |
1 Timothy 3:3 | ἀφιλάργυρον | aphilarguron | ADJ.S ACC M SG |
not loving money | not loving money | not loving money |
G866-02 |
Hebrews 13:5 | ἀφιλάργυρος | aphilarguros | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
without love of money | not loving money | without love of money |