G3557 νοσφίζομαι (nosphízomai)

Pilfering (3557) (nosphizo from nósphi = apart, separated) conveys the idea is stealing in small quantities or practicing petty theft. KJV translates it as purloin (from Middle English, to put away, misappropriate) which means to appropriate wrongfully and often by a breach of trust. Whereas pilfer implies stealing repeatedly in small amounts, whereas purloin stresses removing or carrying off for one’s own use or purposes. Nosphizo is used 3 times in the NT in the NASB (Acts 2x; Titus) and is translated as keep back, 1; kept back, 1; pilfering (KJV = purloin), 1. Nosphizo means to keep back or misappropriate something for one's self that which should or does belong to someone else. This term was found in secular Greek writings in reference to embezzlement of public treasures. It speaks of secretly appropriating and setting apart for one’s self the property of another. Nosphizo is used twice in Acts 5 when Peter confronted Ananias who had kept back (nosphizo - Amplified adds "and wrongfully appropriated") some of the price for himself, with his wife's full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back (nosphizo) some of the price of the land?" (Acts 5:2-3) A notorious OT use of nosphizo is found in the Greek translation of the Hebrew (Lxx = Septuagint) passages in Joshua 7 where we read that "the sons of Israel acted unfaithfully in regard to the things under the ban (a vow or pledge under which property or persons devoted to pagan worship were destroyed), for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, from the tribe of Judah, took some (Greek = nosphizo, Heb = laqah = grasped or seized) of the things (the spoils of battle including here a mantle, silver and gold) under the ban, therefore the anger of the Lord burned against the sons of Israel.” (Joshua 7:1) From observing what happened to Ananias and his wife in Acts and to Achan and his family in Joshua, pilfering from the Lord is neither prudent or profitable! Vincent has the following note regarding the meaning of nosphizo... Purloining (nosphizomenous). Only here and Acts 5:2-3. LXX (Septuagint), Josh. 7:1; 2 Macc. 4:32. Often in Classic Greek. From nosphi apart. The fundamental idea of the word is to put far away from another; to set apart for one’s self; hence to purloin and appropriate to one’s own use. Purloin is akin to prolong: prolongyn or purlongyn “to put fer awey.” Old French, porloignier or purloignier." (Vincent, M. R. Word Studies in the New Testament Vol. 4, Page 343) Another source says nosphizo means to "separate surreptitiously or clandestinely for one's own use". The verb is present tense (continuous action) and in the middle voice which is reflexive ("yourself"). With the negative Paul is saying don't (continually) keep setting apart for yourself (reflexive) a part of that which has been entrusted to your care by your master. Don't embezzle or appropriate wrongfully some of the Master's good for your own use as did "a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira" who after they had "sold a piece of property...kept back some of (nosphizo) the price for himself, with his wife's full knowledge (Acts 5:2,3 5:3 for the consequences of their actions read Acts 5). Vincent says that The fundamental idea of the word is to put far away from another; to set apart for one's self; hence to purloin (to take or carry away for one's self) and appropriate to one's own use. BUT SHOWING ALL GOOD FAITH: alla pistin pasan endeiknumenous (PMPMPA) agathen: (Ge 31:37;31:38 39:8 39:9; 1Sa 22:14; 26:23; Ps 101:6; Mt 24:45; L, 16:10; 1Cor 4:2) but to show that they can be fully trusted (NIV) but they must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good (NLT) And they should show their masters that they can be fully trusted (ICB) Instead, tell slaves to show their masters how good and completely loyal they can be" (GWT) but giving clear signs of their good faith (BBE) but must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy (TLB) but to prove themselves truly loyal and entirely reliable and faithful throughout (Amp) they must show complete honesty at all times (NJB) "Copy and paste the address below into your web browser in order to go to the original page which will allow you to access live links related to the material on this page - these links include Scriptures (which can be read in context), Scripture pop-ups on mouse over, and a variety of related resources such as Bible dictionary articles, commentaries, sermon notes and theological journal articles related to the topic under discussion." http://www.preceptaustin.org/titus_29-10.htm#Pilfering%20(3557)%20nosphizo