contracted from (to traverse; from the base of πέραν); to traffic (by travelling), i.e. dispose of as merchandise or into slavery (literally or figuratively):--sell.
Transliteration:pipráskō
Pronunciation:prah'-o
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb πιπράσκω (pipráskō), Strong's `{{G4097}}`, carries the primary meaning of "to sell." Its etymological root, connected to πέραν (péran, "beyond, across"), suggests an underlying sense of "traversing" or "transporting for sale," indicating a commercial transaction. The semantic range extends beyond mere exchange of goods for money to encompass two significant applications:
1. **To dispose of as merchandise:** This refers to the straightforward act of selling property, goods, or valuable items.
2. **To sell into slavery or bondage:** This is a crucial and ethically charged extension of the term, implying the transfer of a person's freedom or autonomy for a price. This can be literal, referring to the practice of human trafficking, or figurative, describing a state of spiritual servitude.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term πιπράσκω appears a number of times in the New Testament, revealing diverse contexts for its use:
* **Selling Possessions for a Higher Value:** In the parables of the Kingdom, Jesus uses πιπράσκω to illustrate the radical commitment required for discipleship. The man finding the hidden treasure "goes and **sells** all that he has" [[Matthew 13:44]], and the merchant seeking fine pearls "went and **sold** all that he had" to acquire the one pearl of great price [[Matthew 13:46]]. Here, selling signifies a willingness to divest oneself of all earthly possessions for the surpassing worth of the Kingdom of Heaven.
* **Selling into Debt Slavery:** A stark and poignant use appears in the parable of the unforgiving servant, where the master commands that the servant, unable to pay his immense debt, "be **sold**, with his wife and children and all that he had" [[Matthew 18:25]]. This highlights the severe consequences of debt in that cultural context, where individuals could be reduced to chattel.
* **Commercial Transactions:** The act of selling valuable goods is seen in the anointing at Bethany, where critics complain that the expensive ointment "might have been **sold** for much" [[Matthew 26:9]], or "for more than three hundred denarii" [[Mark 14:5]], [[John 12:5]].
* **Communal Sharing in the Early Church:** In the book of Acts, πιπράσκω describes the voluntary selling of possessions by early believers to support the community: "and **sold** their possessions and goods and distributed them" [[Acts 2:45]], "for all who were owners of lands or houses **sold** them" [[Acts 4:34]]. Ananias and Sapphira are also confronted regarding the price for which they "had **sold** the land" [[Acts 5:1]], [[Acts 5:8]]. These instances underscore radical generosity and communal care.
* **Figurative Bondage to Sin:** Perhaps the most profound theological use is found in Paul's epistle to the Romans: "For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, **sold** under sin" [[Romans 7:14]]. This powerful metaphor describes humanity's inherent spiritual condition apart from Christ, a state of involuntary servitude and bondage to the power of sin, from which one cannot liberate oneself.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of πιπράσκω intersects with several key concepts and related Greek terms:
* **Buying and Selling:** The antonym to πιπράσκω ("to sell") is often ἀγοράζω (agorázō, `{{G59}}`, "to buy in the marketplace"). These two terms define the fundamental acts of commerce.
* **Value and Price:** Concepts like τιμή (timē, `{{G5092}}`, "price, value, honor") are inherently linked to the act of selling, as a transaction always involves an assessment of worth.
* **Slavery and Freedom:** The specific nuance of "selling into slavery" connects πιπράσκω directly to terms related to bondage and servitude: δοῦλος (doulos, `{{G1401}}`, "slave"), δουλεία (douleia, `{{G1397}}`, "slavery, bondage"), and δουλεύω (douleuō, `{{G1398}}`, "to serve, be a slave"). The contrast with ἐλευθερία (eleutheria, "freedom") is also implied, particularly in the spiritual sense.
* **Stewardship and Possessions:** The acts of selling in Acts relate to the broader biblical themes of stewardship of earthly possessions and the communal sharing of resources.
* **Debt and Forgiveness:** The context of debt slavery in Matthew 18 links to the concepts of financial obligation and the spiritual imperative of forgiveness.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of πιπράσκω is multi-faceted:
* **Radical Discipleship:** In the parables, the act of selling all for the Kingdom of Heaven underscores the absolute priority and incomparable value of God's reign. It calls for a radical reorientation of one's life and possessions, reflecting a complete trust in God's provision and the surpassing worth of spiritual realities over temporal ones.
* **Justice and Mercy:** The portrayal of debt slavery in Matthew 18 serves as a sobering reminder of the harsh realities of human economic systems and the need for mercy and forgiveness within the community of faith. It sets the stage for Jesus' teaching on the boundless nature of divine forgiveness, which should then be mirrored in human relationships.
* **Communal Generosity:** The early church's practice of selling possessions for the common good exemplifies radical love, communal solidarity, and a practical outworking of Christian charity. It highlights a counter-cultural approach to wealth, prioritizing the needs of the community over individual accumulation.
* **The Human Condition of Sinful Bondage:** The most profound theological insight comes from Paul's declaration in [[Romans 7:14]]. To be "sold under sin" is to be in an enslaved state, not by choice, but by virtue of humanity's fallen nature. This phrase vividly portrays the pervasive power of sin over the unredeemed individual, demonstrating an inherent inability to perfectly obey God's law. It establishes the critical need for divine intervention and liberation through Christ, emphasizing that true freedom comes not from human effort, but from redemption.
### Summary
πιπράσκω (pipráskō, `{{G4097}}`) is a versatile Greek verb meaning "to sell," encompassing both the commercial exchange of goods and, significantly, the act of selling a person into slavery. Its biblical occurrences illuminate various theological truths: the radical commitment required for Kingdom living, the harsh realities of debt and the call to mercy, the communal generosity of the early church, and most profoundly, the human spiritual condition of being "sold under sin." This last usage in [[Romans 7:14]] underscores the inherent bondage of humanity to sin's power, highlighting the indispensable need for Christ's liberating work. The word thus serves as a powerful descriptor of both human commerce and the spiritual state of humanity, pointing ultimately to the redemptive act of God.
TRV