Home
Math
Informatics
Science
Humanity
Hymns
Quotes
About
Screen
Send Close Add comments: (status displays here)
Got it!  This site "creationpie.org" uses cookies. You consent to this by clicking on "Got it!" or by continuing to use this website.  Note: This appears on each machine/browser from which this site is accessed.
The coveting of greed
by RS  admin@creationpie.org : 1024 x 640
1. Coveting greed
Notice that "covet greed" is a form of "meta greed". This is, a greed about greed.

Information sign More: Have you ever met a prefix like this?
2. The coveting of greed
What is the difference between being jealous, being zealous, coveting or just wanting more of something? One hierarchy is as follows. Here, an "object" can be physical, abstract, a goal, etc.
3. Taken to extremes
Zeal, envy, covetA "desire" for an "object" or "goal" is not in itself bad.

However, things may go wrong.
Let us look at each of these in turn. Zeal is covered separately.
4. Luke 12:15 Covetousness
Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. [kjv]
ειπεν δε προς αυτους ορατε και φυλασσεσθε απο πασης πλεονεξιας οτι ουκ εν τω περισσευειν τινι η ζωη αυτου εστιν εκ των υπαρχοντων αυτω [gnt]

There are various Greek words for wanting more of something. The KJV (King James Version) usually translates this as "covetousness" but sometimes as "greediness". One word for "wanting more" is the ancient Greek word "πλεονεξία" ≈ "greediness" and is made up of two parts. Thus, the word means, literally, "having more" or, "wanting more".
5. Luke 12:15
Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. [kjv]
ειπεν δε προς αυτους ορατε και φυλασσεσθε απο πασης πλεονεξιας οτι ουκ εν τω περισσευειν τινι η ζωη αυτου εστιν εκ των υπαρχοντων αυτω [gnt]

The Latin word "avarus" ≈ "greedy, covetous". The word appears to have been used to translate the "greedy" part of the Greek but the "covetous" part of the definition tended to be used in later translations (apparently based on the Latin).
6. Luke 12:15
   Luke 12:15 
 All 
KJV: And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
Greek: ειπεν δε προς αυτους ορατε και φυλασσεσθε απο της πασης πλεονεξιας οτι ουκ εν τω περισσευειν τινι η ζωη αυτου εστιν εκ των υπαρχοντων αυτου αυτω
Latin: dixitque ad illos videte et cavete ab omni avaritia quia non in abundantia cuiusquam vita eius est ex his quae possidet
7. Strongs - covetousness
8. Usage - covetousness
*G4124 *10 πλεονεξία (pleh-on-ex-ee'-ah) : from G4123; avarice, i.e. (by implication) fraudulency, extortion:--covetous(-ness) practices, greediness.
Word usage per chapter Words: πλεονεξια=4 πλεονεξιαι πλεονεξιαν=2 πλεονεξιας=3

9. Romans 1:29
Romans 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, [kjv]
πεπληρωμενους παση αδικια πονηρια πλεονεξια κακια μεστους φθονου φονου εριδος δολου κακοηθειας ψιθυριστας [gnt]
… avaritia … [v]

10. Romans 1:29
   Romans 1:29 
 All 
KJV: Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Greek: πεπληρωμενους παση αδικια πορνεια πονηρια πλεονεξια κακια μεστους φθονου φονου εριδος δολου κακοηθειας ψιθυριστας
Latin: repletos omni iniquitate malitia fornicatione avaritia nequitia plenos invidia homicidio contentione dolo malignitate susurrones
Spanish: estando atestados de toda iniquidad, de fornicación, de malicia, de avaricia, de maldad; llenos de envidias, de homicidios, de contiendas, de engaños, de malignidades;
11. Ephesians 4:19
Ephesians 4:19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. [kjv]
οιτινες απηλγηκοτες εαυτους παρεδωκαν τη ασελγεια εις εργασιαν ακαθαρσιας πασης εν πλεονεξια [gnt]
… avaritia [v]

12. Ephesians 4:19
   Ephesians 4:19 
 All 
KJV: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
Greek: οιτινες απηλγηκοτες εαυτους παρεδωκαν τη ασελγεια εις εργασιαν ακαθαρσιας πασης εν πλεονεξια
Latin: qui desperantes semet ipsos tradiderunt inpudicitiae in operationem inmunditiae omnis in avaritia
Wycliffe: Which dispeirynge bitoken hem silf to vnchastite, in to the worchyng of al vnclennesse in coueitise.
Geneva: Which being past feeling, haue giuen themselues vnto wantonnesse, to woorke all vncleannesse, euen with griedinesse.
Gothic: thaiei uswenans waurthanai sik silbans atgebun aglaitein in waurstwein unhrainithos allaizos, in faihufrikein.
Spanish: los cuales habiendo perdido toda sensibilidad, se entregaron a la lascivia para con avidez cometer toda clase de impureza.
13. 1 Timothy 6:10 Root of evil
1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. [kjv]
ριζα γαρ παντων των κακων εστιν η φιλαργυρια ης τινες ορεγομενοι απεπλανηθησαν απο της πιστεως και εαυτους περιεπειραν οδυναις πολλαις [gnt]

Chess pieces Chess pieces
Greek: A root of all badness is the love of silver which some have reached out for ...
In 1 Timothy 6:10, Paul tells Timothy, Bishop of Ephesus, that the "love of money", literally "love of silver", is the root of "all" "badness".

Is there any "badness" that is not due to "money" or, literally "love of silver"? The Greek word translated as "coveted" is that of "reaching out for". The word translated as "evil" is that of "bad" in general and of the "sick" in particular.

[Reach out for money - bad. Reach out to be a bishop - good.]

Information sign More: 1 Timothy 3:1 Desire to reach out to be a bishop
Information sign More: Matthew 9:8-13 The healthy make a strong case for evil sick time
Information sign More: Overly burdened in the cares and concerns of evil
Information sign More: 1 Timothy 6:1-21 Style and content issues
14. 1 Timothy 6:10 Silver
1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. [kjv]
ριζα γαρ παντων των κακων εστιν η φιλαργυρια ης τινες ορεγομενοι απεπλανηθησαν απο της πιστεως και εαυτους περιεπειραν οδυναις πολλαις [gnt]

SilverThe ancient Greek word "φιλαργυρια" ≈ "love of silver" and which is translated as "covertness" or "love of money" comes from "φίλος" ≈ "that which is loved or important, friend" and "ἄργυρος" ≈ "silver".
Discuss: Which is the root of all evil?
15. Genesis 1:26,28 Replenish and dominion
Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. [kjv]
και ειπεν ο θεος ποιησωμεν ανθρωπον κατ εικονα ημετεραν και καθ ομοιωσιν και αρχετωσαν των ιχθυων της θαλασσης και των πετεινων του ουρανου και των κτηνων και πασης της γης και παντων των ερπετων των ερποντων επι της γης [lxx]

1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. [kjv]
και ηυλογησεν αυτους ο θεος λεγων αυξανεσθε και πληθυνεσθε και πληρωσατε την γην και κατακυριευσατε αυτης και αρχετε των ιχθυων της θαλασσης και των πετεινων του ουρανου και παντων των κτηνων και πασης της γης και παντων των ερπετων των ερποντων επι της γης [lxx]

The word "replenish" means to "fill up" or, in Greek, "complete". Man is to have "dominion" over the "fish", "birds", "pigs", "wolves", "snakes", etc., but not over other men. Is this a "root" of "evil"? Would men as "fish", "birds", "pigs", "wolves", "snakes", etc., ever attempt to have "dominion" over men such as "sheep"?

Information sign More: Matthew 18:2-11 Great children ensnared in the middle
Information sign More: Lower than the angels
16. Latin
1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. [kjv]
ριζα γαρ παντων των κακων εστιν η φιλαργυρια ης τινες ορεγομενοι απεπλανηθησαν απο της πιστεως και εαυτους περιεπειραν οδυναις πολλαις [gnt]
… cupiditas … [v]

SilverThe Greek word for "silver" is related to the Latin word "argentum" ≈ "silver" which is the source of the name "Argentina" and the chemical abbreviation for silver "Ag".

The Latin word "cupiditas" ≈ "desire, passion".
17. Strongs - love of silver
18. 1 Timothy 3:3
1 Timothy 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; [kjv]
μη παροινον μη πληκτην αισχροκερδηαλλ αλλα επιεικη αμαχον αφιλαργυρον [gnt]
… cupidum [v]

The ancient Greek word "φιλαργυρια" ≈ "love of silver". The KJV translates "lover of silver" as "covetous".
*G5365 *1 φιλαργυρία (fil-ar-goo-ree'-ah) : from G5366 φιλάργυρος; avarice:--love of money.
*G5366 *2 φιλάργυρος (fil-ar'-goo-ros) : from G5384 and G696; fond of silver (money), i.e. avaricious:--covetous.
Word usage per chapter Words: φιλαργυρια φιλαργυροι=2

19. 1 Timothy 3:3
   1 Timothy 3:3 
 All 
KJV: Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
Greek: μη παροινον μη πληκτην μη αισχροκερδηαλλ αλλα επιεικη αμαχον αφιλαργυρον
Latin: non vinolentum non percussorem sed modestum non litigiosum non cupidum
Wycliffe: not youun myche to wyn, not a smytere, but temperat, not ful of chiding, not coueitouse, wel reulinge his hous,
20. Modern Greek
21. Love is the only way
Jesus sets up an analogy involving who is to be served.

God is love and love as god God and Love


The ancient Greek word "αγάπη" ≈ "totally devoted to, love" from which we get the word "agape".

The difference between "God is love" and "Love is god" can be subtle and deceptive - especially when spoken without the distinction between the one and only creator "God" and a "god" as in an idol or a desire.

This fallacy is common, covered extensively by Aristotle, and called the converse fallacy as one of many names describing it.

Information sign More: Converse fallacy: If A then B does not mean If B then A
Information sign More: Love is the only way
22. Matthew 6:24 A wealth of logical ideas on mammon
Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye can not serve God and mammon. [kjv]
ουδεις δυναται δυσιν κυριοις δουλευειν η γαρ τον ενα μισησει και τον ετερον αγαπησει η ενος ανθεξεται και του ετερου καταφρονησει ου δυνασθε θεω δουλευειν και μαμωνα [gnt]

Father and mother
Jesus points out, in context, two mutually exclusive choices: God vs. "mammon".
The historical usage of "mammon" in Hebrew is that of a confidence in one's own ability to do things (independent of God). That is a central idea of humanism. The modern Hebrew definition is that of "wealth".

Information sign More: Sets: Mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive
Information sign More: Matthew 6:24 A wealth of logical ideas on mammon
23. Exodus 20:17 Coveting
Exodus 20:17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's. [kjv]
ουκ επιθυμησεις την γυναικα του πλησιον σου ουκ επιθυμησεις την οικιαν του πλησιον σου ουτε τον αγρον αυτου ουτε τον παιδα αυτου ουτε την παιδισκην αυτου ουτε του βοος αυτου ουτε του υποζυγιου αυτου ουτε παντος κτηνους αυτου ουτε οσα τω πλησιον σου εστιν [lxx]

C 10The ancient Greek word "επιθυμία" ≈ "desire, wish". The idea of "coveting" is that of wanting or desiring something that someone else has. This word comes from two Greek words.

To know that someone has something one wants, one needs some way to "measure" what is "coveted" and then want it in order to be "great" in some sense.

Information sign More: Matthew 18:1 Greatest and least in the kingdom
Information sign More: Matthew 18:2-11 Great children ensnared in the middle
Information sign More: Matthew 17-18 The greatest little discourse
24. Hebrew covet
*H2530 חָמַד (khaw-mad') : a primitive root; to delight in:--beauty, greatly beloved, covet, delectable thing, (X great) delight, desire, goodly, lust, (be) pleasant (thing), precious (thing).

The Hebrew word "תחמד" (tach-mod) ≈ "covet".
תחמד - covet
The ancient Greek word "επιθυμία" ≈ "desire, wish". Note that the Hebrew word in the OT (Old Testament) and the Greek word in the LXX (Septuagint) are the same but many other translations use two different words.

Information sign More: Exodus 20:1-26 The Ten Commandments
25. Matthew 5:28
Matthew 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. [kjv]
εγω δε λεγω υμιν οτι πας ο βλεπων γυναικα προς το επιθυμησαι αυτην ηδη εμοιχευσεν αυτην εν τη καρδια αυτου [gnt]
… concupiscendum … [v]

The Greek word can mean just "desire" as in "passion" but without what is thought of as "lust".
26. Matthew 5:28
   Matthew 5:28 
 All 
KJV: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
Greek: εγω δε λεγω υμιν οτι πας ο βλεπων γυναικα προς το επιθυμησαιαυτης αυτην ηδη εμοιχευσεν αυτην εν τη καρδια αυτου
Latin: ego autem dico vobis quoniam omnis qui viderit mulierem ad concupiscendum eam iam moechatus est eam in corde suo
Wycliffe: But Y seie to you, that euery man that seeth a womman for to coueite hir, hath now do letcherie bi hir in his herte.
Tyndale: But I say vnto you that whosoeuer looketh on a wyfe lustynge after her hathe comitted advoutrie with hir alredy in his hert.
27. Luke 17:22
Luke 17:22 And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it. [kjv]
ειπεν δε προς τους μαθητας ελευσονται ημεραι οτε επιθυμησετε μιαν των ημερων του υιου του ανθρωπου ιδειν και ουκ οψεσθε [gnt]
… desideretis … [v]

28. Luke 17:22
   Luke 17:22 
 All 
KJV: And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.
Greek: ειπεν δε προς τους μαθητας ελευσονται ημεραι οτε επιθυμησετε μιαν των ημερων του υιου του ανθρωπου ιδειν και ουκ οψεσθε
Latin: et ait ad discipulos venient dies quando desideretis videre unum diem Filii hominis et non videbitis
Wycliffe: And he seide to hise disciplis, Daies schulen come, whanne ye schulen desire to se o dai of mannus sone, and ye schulen not se.
Tyndale: And he sayde vnto the disciples: The dayes will come when ye shall desyre to se one daye of the sonne of man and ye shall not se it.
29. Romans 7:7
Romans 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. [kjv]
τι ουν ερουμεν ο νομος αμαρτια μη γενοιτο αλλα την αμαρτιαν ουκ εγνων ει μη δια νομου την τε γαρ επιθυμιαν ουκ ηδειν ει μη ο νομος ελεγεν ουκ επιθυμησεις [gnt]
… concupiscentiam … concupisces [v]

In Romans 7:7, the same Greek word is translated as both "lust" and then "covet" in the KJV.
30. Romans 7:7
   Romans 7:7 
 All 
KJV: What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
Greek: τι ουν ερουμεν ο νομος αμαρτια μη γενοιτο αλλα την αμαρτιαν ουκ εγνων ει μη δια νομου την τε γαρ επιθυμιαν ουκ ηδειν ει μη ο νομος ελεγεν ουκ επιθυμησεις
Latin: quid ergo dicemus lex peccatum est absit sed peccatum non cognovi nisi per legem nam concupiscentiam nesciebam nisi lex diceret non concupisces
Wycliffe: What therfor schulen we seie? The lawe is synne? God forbede. But Y knew not synne, but bi lawe; for Y wiste not that coueitynge was synne, but for the lawe seide, Thou schalt not coueyte.
Tyndale: What shall we saye then? is ye lawe synne? God forbid: but I knewe not what synne meant but by the lawe. For I had not knowne what lust had meant excepte the lawe had sayde thou shalt not lust.
Spanish: ¿Qué diremos entonces? ¿Es pecado la ley? ¡En ninguna manera! Al contrario, yo no hubiera conocido el pecado a no ser por la ley: Porque no conociera la codicia si la ley no dijera: No codiciarás.
31. 1 Corinthians 10:6
1 Corinthians 10:6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. [kjv]
ταυτα δε τυποι ημων εγενηθησαν εις το μη ειναι ημας επιθυμητας κακων καθως κακεινοι επεθυμησαν [gnt]
… concupiscentes … concupierunt [v]

32. 1 Corinthians 10:6
   1 Corinthians 10:6 
 All 
KJV: Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
Greek: ταυτα δε τυποι ημων εγενηθησαν εις το μη ειναι ημας επιθυμητας κακων καθως κακεινοι επεθυμησαν
Latin: haec autem in figura facta sunt nostri ut non simus concupiscentes malorum sicut et illi concupierunt
Wycliffe: But these thingis ben don in figure of vs, that we be not coueyteris of yuele thingis, as thei coueitiden.
Tyndale: These are ensamples to vs that we shuld not lust after evyll thinges as they lusted
Spanish: Pero estas cosas fueron ejemplo para nosotros, a fin de que no codiciemos cosas malas, como ellos codiciaron.
33. Strongs - desire
34. Usage - desire
*G1937 *16 ἐπιθυμέω (ep-ee-thoo-meh'-o) : from G1909 and G2372; to set the heart upon, i.e. long for (rightfully or otherwise):--covet, desire, would fain, lust (after).
Word usage per chapter Words: επεθυμει επεθυμησα=2 επεθυμησαν=2 επιθυμει=2 επιθυμειτε επιθυμησαι επιθυμησεις=2 επιθυμησετε επιθυμησουσιν επιθυμουμεν επιθυμουσιν επιθυμων

35. End of page
by RS  admin@creationpie.org : 1024 x 640