### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
ἀποστερέω (aposteréō) is a Greek verb formed from the preposition ἀπό (apo), meaning "from" or "away from," and the verb στερέω (stereō), meaning "to deprive," "to rob," or "to withhold." The compound word thus carries the core meaning of "to deprive someone of something," "to defraud," or "to withhold what is rightfully due." It inherently implies an unjust or illicit act, where one party is wrongfully denied their entitlement, often through deceit, coercion, or simple refusal to render what is owed.
The semantic range of ἀποστερέω includes:
* **Defrauding or Cheating:** This is the most prominent sense, referring to the act of illicitly depriving another of their property, wages, or rights, often through deceptive practices or unfair advantage.
* **Withholding What is Due:** It can also signify the refusal to render payment, goods, or services that are owed, thereby effectively robbing the individual of their just claim.
* **Being Made Destitute (passive voice):** In its passive form, the word describes the state of being deprived or impoverished as a result of someone else's unrighteous actions.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ἀποστερέω appears a handful of times in the New Testament, consistently in contexts that address ethical conduct, economic justice, and interpersonal relationships.
* **[[Mark 10:19]] / [[Luke 18:20]]**: In these parallel accounts, Jesus lists commandments to the rich young ruler, including "Do not defraud" (μὴ ἀποστερήσῃς). This injunction stands alongside prohibitions against murder, adultery, theft, and false witness, underscoring its gravity as a fundamental violation of God's moral law and a direct offense against one's neighbor. The context points specifically to financial or material exploitation.
* **[[1 Corinthians 6:7-8]]**: Paul uses ἀποστερέω twice in this passage, lamenting the practice of believers suing one another. He asks, "Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded (ἀποστερεῖσθε)?" and then immediately adds, "But you yourselves wrong and defraud (ἀποστερεῖτε)—even your own brothers!" This highlights the scandal of Christians engaging in legal disputes that result in one party unjustly depriving the other, rather than enduring injustice for the sake of the Gospel and the church's witness. It underscores the internal harm caused by covetousness within the body of Christ.
* **[[1 Corinthians 7:5]]**: Paul instructs married couples, "Do not deprive (ἀποστερεῖτε) one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer." Here, the concept of deprivation extends beyond material goods to the relational sphere, specifically referring to the withholding of marital intimacy. This usage emphasizes mutual rights and responsibilities within marriage and the potential harm caused by one spouse unilaterally denying the other.
* **[[James 5:4]]**: James issues a powerful indictment against the wealthy who oppress their laborers: "Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud (ἀπεστερημένος) from them, are crying out against you." The passive participle ἀπεστερημένος vividly describes the wages that have been unjustly withheld. This passage underscores God's deep concern for the poor and vulnerable, portraying their unreceived wages as having a voice that cries out to the Lord of hosts, evoking divine judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of ἀποστερέω is closely intertwined with several other significant biblical themes and terms:
* **Theft (κλέπτω `{{G2813}}`):** While related, ἀποστερέω often implies a more insidious form of illicit gain than outright stealing. It can involve withholding what is due, taking unfair advantage, or manipulating circumstances to one's benefit, rather than a direct act of taking possession.
* **Covetousness (πλεονεξία `{{G4124}}`):** The desire for more, especially at the expense of others, often serves as the underlying sin driving ἀποστερέω. Defrauding is a concrete manifestation of an insatiable desire for gain.
* **Injustice (ἀδικία `{{G93}}`):** ἀποστερέω is a specific act of injustice, a violation of what is right, fair, and equitable, particularly in economic and social interactions.
* **Exploitation:** The act of defrauding laborers, as seen in James, is a clear example of exploitation, where the powerful take unfair advantage of the vulnerable.
* **Love for Neighbor (ἀγαπάω `{{G25}}`):** The command "Do not defraud" is fundamentally rooted in the second great commandment to love one's neighbor as oneself. To defraud is to act contrary to love, prioritizing self-gain over the well-being and rights of another.
* **Righteousness (δικαιοσύνη `{{G1343}}`):** The antithesis of defrauding is acting with righteousness, which entails upholding justice, fairness, and ensuring that all receive their due.
### Theological Significance
The biblical use of ἀποστερέω carries profound theological implications, revealing core aspects of God's character and His ethical demands upon humanity.
* **God as a Champion of Justice:** The consistent condemnation of defrauding highlights God's unwavering commitment to justice, especially for the vulnerable and marginalized. He is portrayed as the protector of the oppressed and the avenger of those who are unjustly deprived. The "cry" of the defrauded in [[James 5:4]] powerfully illustrates that God hears and responds to the cries of the afflicted, echoing the cries of Israel under Egyptian bondage.
* **Ethical Demands of the Kingdom:** The inclusion of "Do not defraud" within Jesus' ethical teachings demonstrates that economic integrity and fair dealings are not peripheral but central to living out the values of the Kingdom of God. Disciples are called to a higher standard of righteousness that transcends the exploitative practices often found in the world.
* **The Sanctity of Human Dignity:** To defraud another is to diminish their inherent human dignity, treating them as a means to an end rather than as an image-bearer of God. It violates the intrinsic worth that God has bestowed upon every individual.
* **Consequences of Unrighteousness:** The New Testament warns of severe consequences for those who engage in defrauding. [[James 5:4]] implies divine judgment, and [[1 Corinthians 6:9-10]] explicitly states that the unrighteous, including "the greedy" and "swindlers" (which encompasses those who defraud), will not inherit the kingdom of God. This underscores that such actions are not merely social infractions but sins with eternal ramifications.
* **The Unity and Witness of the Church:** Paul's concern in [[1 Corinthians 6:7-8]] about believers defrauding one another reveals that such actions fracture the unity and undermine the witness of the church. It is a profound contradiction to the very nature of Christian fellowship, which should be characterized by love, mutual support, and self-sacrificial care.
### Summary
ἀποστερέω (aposteréō) is a potent Greek term signifying the act of unjustly depriving someone of what is rightfully theirs, whether through fraud, the withholding of due payment, or broader exploitation. Its core meaning encompasses "to defraud," "to keep back by fraud," or "to make destitute." In the New Testament, this word is consistently used to condemn economic injustice, such as the exploitation of laborers ([[James 5:4]]) and illicit gain from others ([[Mark 10:19]], [[Luke 18:20]]). Paul extends its application to internal church dynamics, lamenting believers defrauding one another ([[1 Corinthians 6:7-8]]), and even to the marital relationship, where spouses are not to deprive each other of intimacy ([[1 Corinthians 7:5]]). Theologically, ἀποστερέω illuminates God's character as a righteous judge who champions the oppressed, underscores the ethical demands of the Kingdom of God for integrity and justice, and warns of the severe spiritual consequences for those who engage in such unrighteous practices. It serves as a powerful reminder of the call to integrity, fairness, and love within the Christian life and community.
TRV