### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb σήπω (G4595) is a primary verb whose core meaning is "to putrefy," "to rot," or "to decay." This literal sense refers to the biological process of decomposition, where organic matter breaks down and spoils. Figuratively, σήπω extends to mean "to perish" or "to be corrupted," implying a state of moral or spiritual degradation, a loss of integrity, or a departure from an original, sound condition. The term thus encompasses both physical decay and its metaphorical application to the spiritual or ethical realm, signifying a decline into worthlessness or ruin.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb σήπω (G4595) appears only once in the New Testament, in the Epistle of James:
* [[James 5:2]]: "Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten." (ὁ πλοῦτος ὑμῶν σέσηπεν, καὶ τὰ ἱμάτια ὑμῶν σητόβρωτα γέγονεν).
In this passage, James directly addresses the wealthy who have oppressed the poor and hoarded their riches. The phrase "your riches are corrupted" (σέσηπεν) uses the perfect active indicative of σήπω, emphasizing a completed state of decay that has present consequences. The imagery is profoundly vivid: the wealth, though inanimate, is depicted as having undergone a process of putrefaction, paralleling the physical decay of moth-eaten garments. This is not merely a prediction of future decay but a declaration of a present reality, implying that the very nature of unjustly acquired or selfishly hoarded wealth is inherently rotten and valueless in God's sight. The decay serves as a tangible witness against the rich, highlighting the futility and ultimate perishability of their earthly treasures.
### Related Words & Concepts
σήπω (G4595) is related to several words and concepts that underscore themes of decay, corruption, and impermanence:
* **Antonyms/Contrasts:**
* `{{G862}}` (ἀφθαρσία - incorruptibility, immortality)
* `{{G861}}` (ἄφθαρτος - imperishable, incorruptible)
* `{{G1311}}` (διαφθείρω - to destroy, corrupt, but often with a focus on complete ruin rather than just decay)
* **Synonyms/Related Processes:**
* `{{G5349}}` (φθείρω - to corrupt, destroy, spoil): While φθείρω is a broader term for ruin, σήπω specifically points to the *process* of rotting or putrefaction as the means by which something becomes corrupted. σήπω describes a specific type of φθείρω.
* `{{G4487}}` (ῥύπος - filth, dirt): Often associated with moral defilement, which can be a consequence or indicator of decay.
* **Thematic Connections:** Perishability, transience, futility of earthly possessions, moral decay, divine judgment.
### Theological Significance
The singular use of σήπω (G4595) in [[James 5:2]] carries significant theological weight.
1. **Transience of Earthly Possessions:** The primary theological implication is the inherent transience and ultimate perishability of material wealth. Unlike spiritual treasures (cf. [[Matthew 6:19-21]]), earthly riches are subject to decay. James's use of σήπω powerfully illustrates that accumulated wealth, especially when acquired or hoarded unjustly, is not a source of security or lasting value but is prone to putrefaction, reflecting its spiritual emptiness.
2. **Divine Judgment and Witness:** The "corruption" of riches is not presented as a mere natural process but as a consequence, almost a divine judgment, upon those who have accumulated them unjustly. The decay of their wealth serves as a "witness" against them, signaling God's disapproval of their materialism and oppression. It underscores that God sees through the outward appearance of prosperity to the rotten core of ill-gotten gain.
3. **Moral and Spiritual Decay:** While the immediate context is the physical decay of wealth, the underlying theological message extends to the moral and spiritual decay of the individual or society that prioritizes such wealth. Hoarding, exploitation, and injustice lead to a spiritual putrefaction within the soul, rendering the possessor spiritually bankrupt. The physical corruption of their possessions mirrors their own spiritual state.
### Summary
The Greek verb σήπω (G4595), meaning "to putrefy" or "to rot," profoundly illustrates the perishable nature of earthly things. Its sole New Testament appearance in [[James 5:2]] describes the "corrupted" riches of the unrighteous, emphasizing that material wealth, particularly when unjustly acquired or selfishly hoarded, is inherently subject to decay. This vivid imagery serves as a powerful indictment against materialism, highlighting the futility and transience of worldly treasures. The use of σήπω underscores that such wealth is not only physically perishable but also spiritually valueless, acting as a testament against its owners and reflecting a deeper moral and spiritual decay. It provides a stark contrast between the perishable nature of earthly investments and the enduring, incorruptible nature of spiritual righteousness.
TRV