### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ἐμπορεύομαι (emporeúomai, `{{G1710}}`) is a compound word derived from the preposition ἐν (en), meaning "in" or "within," and the verb πορεύομαι (poreúomai, `{{G4198}}`), meaning "to go" or "to travel." Etymologically, it signifies "to go in a place" or "to travel within a region." However, its semantic range in the New Testament extends beyond mere physical movement to denote the *purpose* of such travel: engaging in commerce. Thus, its primary meaning is "to trade," "to buy and sell," or "to make merchandise." While often used in a neutral sense to describe legitimate business activity, its application can also carry a negative connotation, particularly when it implies exploitation, dishonest gain, or the commodification of persons or sacred truths for personal profit.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ἐμπορεύομαι appears in the New Testament in three distinct contexts, showcasing its range from neutral commerce to severe exploitation:
1. **Neutral Business Activity:**
* In [[Matthew 22:5]], within the Parable of the Wedding Feast, some invited guests "made light of it and went off, one to his farm, another to his business." Here, ἐμπορεύομαι (translated "business" or "merchandise") refers to the ordinary, legitimate economic pursuits of daily life. There is no inherent negative judgment on the activity itself, only on the guests' priorities.
* Similarly, in [[James 4:13]], the apostle addresses those who presumptuously plan their future: "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit.'" This passage uses ἐμπορεύομαι to describe the common practice of merchants traveling to conduct business. The focus of James's critique is not on the act of trading, but on the arrogance of planning without acknowledging God's sovereignty.
2. **Exploitative Gain:**
* The most significant and theologically charged use of ἐμπορεύομαι is found in [[2 Peter 2:3]]: "And in their greed these false teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction will not be asleep." Here, the verb (translated "exploit" or "make merchandise of") carries a profoundly negative connotation. It describes the wicked practice of false teachers who view their followers not as souls to be nurtured or led to truth, but as commodities or resources to be leveraged for personal, often financial, gain. This is a perversion of spiritual ministry, transforming sacred trust into a profane transaction.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding ἐμπορεύομαι is enhanced by examining related terms and concepts:
* **πορεύομαι (poreúomai, `{{G4198}}`):** The root verb, meaning "to go" or "to travel," highlights the aspect of movement inherent in commerce.
* **ἔμπορος (emporos, `{{G1713}}`):** The related noun, meaning "merchant" or "trader," directly names the one who engages in the activity of ἐμπορεύομαι.
* **ἐμπορία (emporia, `{{G1712}}`):** The related noun, meaning "trade" or "commerce," refers to the activity or business itself.
* **ἀγοράζω (agorazō, `{{G59}}`):** "To buy," emphasizing one aspect of trade.
* **πωλέω (pōleō, `{{G4453}}`):** "To sell," emphasizing the other aspect of trade.
* **Concepts:** The word intersects with themes of commerce, profit, livelihood, but also greed (πλεονεξία, pleonexia, `{{G4124}}`), exploitation, and the integrity (or lack thereof) in spiritual leadership.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ἐμπορεύομαι is primarily illuminated by its use in [[2 Peter 2:3]]. While the concept of honest labor and trade is affirmed in Scripture as a legitimate means of livelihood (e.g., parables encouraging wise management of resources, the dignity of work), the application of ἐμπορεύομαι to false teachers reveals a profound spiritual distortion.
In this context, ἐμπορεύομαι signifies the ultimate betrayal of trust: spiritual leaders using their position and influence to "make merchandise" of their flock. This is not merely about financial gain, though that is often a significant component. It encompasses any act where the spiritual well-being of others is subordinated to the selfish interests of the teacher. It speaks to a heart that views people as means to an end, rather than as souls created in God's image, for whom Christ died. This exploitation is particularly heinous because it leverages the sacred for the profane, turning the divine call to shepherd into a predatory enterprise. It warns against those who "peddle the word of God" (cf. [[2 Corinthians 2:17]]) for dishonest gain, contrasting sharply with the selfless service of true apostles and teachers.
### Summary
The Greek verb ἐμπορεύομαι (emporeúomai, `{{G1710}}`) etymologically means "to travel in" and semantically evolved to denote "to trade" or "to make merchandise." Its usage in the New Testament spans from a neutral description of legitimate business activities, as seen in [[Matthew 22:5]] and [[James 4:13]], to a severe condemnation of spiritual exploitation. Most significantly, in [[2 Peter 2:3]], it powerfully describes the nefarious practice of false teachers who, driven by greed, "make merchandise of" or "exploit" their followers, treating them as commodities for personal profit rather than as souls to be nurtured. This stark contrast highlights the critical theological distinction between genuine, selfless ministry and corrupt, self-serving manipulation, serving as a profound warning against those who pervert sacred truth for profane gain.
TRV