The Greek word aischrokerdḗs, represented by G146, describes one who is sordid or given to (greedy of) filthy lucre. It appears 3 times across 3 unique verses in the Bible. The term is derived from αἰσχρός and gain, pointing specifically to a desire for profit that is shameful or dishonorable.
In scripture, G146 is consistently used as a negative qualification for leadership roles within the church. It is a trait that must be absent from the character of those in spiritual authority. For a bishop, the requirement is that he must be blameless and "not given to filthy lucre" Titus 1:7. This prohibition is repeated in the qualifications found in 1 Timothy 3:3, which state a leader must be "not greedy of filthy lucre". The standard also applies to deacons, who likewise must be "not greedy of filthy lucre" 1 Timothy 3:8.
Several related words appear alongside G146, providing a broader picture of the character expected of church leaders:
- G3943 pároinos (given to wine): This term, forbidding excessive drinking, is paired with the prohibition against G146 in the lists of qualifications in both Titus 1:7 and 1 Timothy 3:3.
- G4131 plḗktēs (striker): This word for a pugnacious or quarrelsome person also appears directly with G146 in Titus 1:7 and 1 Timothy 3:3, linking financial impurity with a violent temperament.
- G1351 dílogos (double-tongued): In the context of qualifications for deacons, this term appears alongside G146, highlighting that integrity in speech is as important as integrity in finance 1 Timothy 3:8.
- G269 ámachos (not a brawler): This requirement for a peaceable nature is listed in the same context as the prohibition against G146 in 1 Timothy 3:3.
- G866 aphilárgyros (without covetousness): This term appears in 1 Timothy 3:3, reinforcing the theme of freedom from the love of money as a leadership requirement.
The theological weight of G146 is centered on the integrity required for spiritual oversight.
- Stewardship and Integrity: The prohibition is directly connected to the role of a bishop as "the steward of God" Titus 1:7. A steward must manage God's affairs without seeking shameful personal profit.
- A Disqualifying Trait: Being greedy for sordid gain is presented as a serious character flaw that disqualifies a person from church leadership, placing it on the same level as being a "striker" G4131 or being "given to wine" G3943.
- Holistic Character: The placement of G146 within lists of other moral requirements for bishops and deacons demonstrates that financial ethics are an inseparable part of a leader's overall character and fitness for service.
In summary, G146 is a precise term that defines a specific type of moral failure: the pursuit of dishonorable gain. It is not merely a suggestion but a firm prohibition used to establish a critical ethical boundary for anyone holding a position of authority like a bishop or deacon. Its consistent use in lists of disqualifying characteristics underlines the biblical emphasis on a leader's moral, temperate, and financial purity.
TRV