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G3623 οἰκονόμος (oikonómos)

Greek 📖 Greek Word Study
Noun, Masculine
‹ G3622 Greek Dictionary G3624 ›

Quick Definition

οἰκονόμος, ου, ὁ n.m. a steward

Strong's Definition

a house-distributor (i.e. manager), or overseer, i.e. an employee in that capacity; by extension, a fiscal agent (treasurer); figuratively, a preacher (of the Gospel)

Derivation: from G3624 (οἶκος) and the base of G3551 (νόμος);

KJV Usage: chamberlain, governor, steward

UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

noun, m. | -ου | οἰκέω + νομίζω

46.4 · Household Activities

manager of a household, steward one who is in charge of running a household It may be necessary in some languages to indicate that οἰκονόμος[a] was a person hired to engage in a particular activity, and therefore in LUK 16:1 it may be necessary to say ‘there was a rich man who had hired a man to manage his household.’

LUK 12:42 · LUK 16:1 · LUK 16:3 · LUK 16:8 · GAL 4:2

37.39 · Control, Rule · Exercise Authority

one who is in charge of, one who is responsible for, adminstrator, manager one who has the authority and responsibility for something

1CO 4:1 · 1CO 4:2 · TIT 1:7 · 1PE 4:10

57.231 · Possess, Transfer, Exchange · Keep Records

Collocation: οἰκονόμος τῆς πόλεως

city treasurer (an idiom, literally: manager of a city) one who is in charge of the finances of a city

ROM 16:23

UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

οἰκονόμος, του, ὁ, (οἶκος, νέμω [‘to dispense, manage]; Hesych. ὁ τὸν οἶκον νεμόμενος), the manager of a household or of household affairs; esp. a steward, manager, superintendent, (whether free-born, or, as was usually οἰκὸς the case, ἃ freed-man or slave) to whom the head of the house or proprietor has intrusted the management of his affairs, the care of receipts and expenditures, and the duty of dealing out the proper portion to every servant and even to the children not yet of age: LK. xii. 42; 1 Co. iv. 2; Gal. iv. 2; the manager of a farm or landed estate, an overseer, [A. V. steward]: Lk. xvi. 1, 3,8; 6 olk. τῆς πόλεως, the superintendent of the city’s finances, the treasurer of the city (Vulg. arcarius civitatis) : Ro. xvi. 23 (of the treasurers or quaestors of kings, Esth. viii. 9; 1 Esdr. iv. 49; Joseph. antt. 12, 4, 7; 11, 6,12, 8,6, 4). Metaph. the apostles and other Christian teachers (see οἰκονομία) are called oik. μυστηρίων τοῦ θεοῖ, as those to whom the counsels of God have been committed to be made known to men: 1 Co. iv. 1; a bishop (or overseer) is called οἰκονόμος θεοῦ, of God as the head and master of the Christian theocracy [see οἶκος, 2], Tit. i. 7; and any and every Christian who rightly uses the gifts intrusted to him by God for the good of his brethren, belongs to the class called καλοὶ οἰκονόμοι ποικίλης χάριτος θεοῦ, 1 Pet. iv. 10. (Aeschyl., Xen., Plat., Aristot., al.; for m3-y Sept. 1 K. iv. 6; xvi. 9. etc.)

Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary

οἰκονόμος oikonomos 10x

the manager of a household; a steward, Lk. 12:42; 16:1, 3, 8; 1 Cor. 4:2; a manager, trustee, Gal. 4:2; a public steward, treasurer, Rom. 16:23; a spiritual steward, the holder of a commission in the service of the Gospel, 1 Cor. 4:1; Tit. 1:7; 1 Pet. 4:10*

Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon

οἰκονόμος, -ου, ὁ

(< οἶκος + νέμω, to manage), [in LXX chiefly for עַל־הַבַּיִת;]

prop., the manager of a household or estate, a house- or land-steward (usually a slave or freedman): Lk 12:42 16:1, 3, 8, I Co 4:2, Ga 4:2; ὀ οἰ. τ. πόλεως (RV, treasurer; cf. I Es 4:49), Ro 16:23.

Metaph. (in wider sense; cf. οἰκονομία), an administrator, a steward: of Christian ministers, I Co 4:1, Tit 1:7; of Christians generally, I Pe 4:10.†

Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT

οἰκονόμος in its literal sense of ‘‘ steward,’’ ‘‘manager of an estate” (as in Lk 12%, 1 Cor 4?) is found in P Tebt II. 4021 (A.D. 172) Mapte[. . .] οἰκονόμῳ Φλανίας ᾿Εἰπιμάχης καῇ] τῶν πρότερον ᾿Ιουλίας Καλλινίδος παρὰ Διδύμου οἰκοδόμου, “ἴο Mart . .., steward of Flavia Epimache and of the OlKOS property formerly belonging to Julia Kallinis, from Didymus, builder,’’ P Oxy VI. 929% (ii/iii a.p.) Νιννάρῳ oikovépw ᾿Απίωνος στρα(τηγοῦ), and P Fay 133? (iv/a.p.) ἀπέστειλα τὸν οἰκ[ον]όμον [Ἣ ρα]κλείδην πρὸς σὲ καθὰ ἠξίωσας] ἵνα τὴν διαταγὴν τῆς τρύγης ποιήσηται, ‘I have sent to you the steward Heraclides as you requested, to make arrangements about the vintage ”’ (Edd.). The meaning of ‘‘ treasurer” which is given to the word in Rom 1678 RV (cf. τ Esdr 449) is common both in Ptolemaic and in Roman times, though latterly the position sank much in importance: see P Tebt I. 5189 (Β.6. 118) with the editors’ note, and for later exx. zd. II. 296!" (A.D. 123) διέγραψε Σεκούνδῳ τῷ τοῦ k[v]piov Καίσαρος οἰκονόμῳ (‘‘procurator,”’ G.H.) (δραχμὰς) <A>, Ρ Oxy IV. 735° (A.D. 205) Κα αισάρων οἰκονόμου οὐικαρίου. From the inscrr. we may cite OG/S 501 (mid. iii/B.c.) τὸ δὲ ἀνάλωμα τὸ εἰς τὴν στήλην δοῦναι τὸν οἰ[κον]όμο[ν] Σωσίβιον, and Przene 68° (B.C. 330-29) τὸ δὲ ἀνάλωμα ὑπηρετῆσαι τὸν οἰκοϊνόμον with reference to defraying the expenses of an inscr. On the difficult usage of οἰκονόμος in Gal 45 to denote one who has charge of the person or estate of a minor, see Burton 7CC ad /oc. ; and against Mahaffy’s view on P Petr II. 18 (1) (B.c. 246) that the οἰκονόμος ‘‘ had authority to investigate criminal cases on appeals,’”’ see drchiv iv. p. 31 f. The title is discussed by Wilcken Chrest. I. i. p. 150 ff.

Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon

οἰκονόμος (oikonomos) — manager. οἰκόνομ-ος, ὁ, ἡ, one who manages a household, ={οἰκοδεσπότης}, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; steward of an estate, Ζήνωνι τῷ οἰ. [Refs 3rd c.BC+]; house-steward, being a slave, [Refs 4th c.BC+]

2. generally, manager, administrator, opposed to τύραννος, [Refs]

2. b title of a subordinate state official, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; also of a high financial officer, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; under a monarch, [Refs 3rd c.BC+]; in Egypt, [Refs 3rd c.BC+]; in charge of the Serapeum, [Refs 2nd c.BC+]; οἱ Καίσαρος οἰ., = Latin procuratores Caesaris, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]; θεοῦ οἰ. minister of God, [NT]

II. as feminine, housekeeper, housewife, [Refs 6th c.BC+]

STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon

οἰκονόμος, -ου, ὁ (οἶκος + νέμω, to manage) [in LXX chiefly for עַל ;] __1. prop., the manager of a household or estate, a house- or land-steward (usually a slave or freedman): Luk.12:42 16:1, 3 16:8, 1Co.4:2, Gal.4:2; ὀ οἰ. τ. πόλεως (RV, treasurer; cf. I Est.4:49), Rom.16:23. __2. Metaphorical (in wider sense; cf. οἰκονομία), an administrator, a steward: of Christian ministers, 1Co.4:1, Tit.1:7; of Christians generally, 1Pe.4:10.† (AS)

Bible Occurrences (10)

4:2
1:7

📖 Greek Word Study — In-Depth Study from Precept Austin

Steward (manager) (3623) oikonomos

listen to him. So he hired a private detective to watch Houghton. When the investigator’s report came back, it revealed that this preacher’s life was above reproach; he was for real. The agnostic went to Houghton’s church, accepted Christ, and later sent his daughter to Moody Bible Institute. Steward (3623) (oikonomos from oÃkos = house + némo = manage, distribute, dispense) (see study of related word oikonomia) is literally the manager or superintendent of a household or estate. Oikonomos is used 10 times in the NT -- Lk 12:42; 16:1, 3, 8; Ro 16:23; 1Co 4:1, 2; Gal 4:2; Titus 1:7; 1Pe 4:10-note There are 12 uses in the Septuagint (LXX) - 1Ki 4:6; 16:9; 18:3; 2Ki 18:18, 37; 19:2; 1Chr. 29:6; Esther 1:8; 8:9; Is 36:3, 22; 37:2. Vincent adds that in the Greek culture the steward was the one who assigns to the members of the household their several duties, and pays to each his wages. The paymaster. He kept the household stores under lock and seal, giving out what was required; and for this purpose received a signet-ring from his master." Although stewards usually were slaves or freedmen (former slaves), as Vincent notes many had considerable responsibility and authority. In addition to caring for all the needs of family members, they could be responsible and accountable for household finances and for making sure, for example, that crops were properly planted, cultivated, and harvested. They often had oversight of all other household servants, to provide for them and to assign and supervise their work. They would make sure that those who were sick or wounded were cared for and even dispensed discipline when necessary. The overseer as "God's steward" does not own the church or the people of the church. But he is in charge of their spiritual nourishment, growth and behavior. God's steward must see that the household of God is cared for and looked after and that their energies and lives are directed to the will of the Master. The steward must do the will of the Master, carrying out His Word without any deviation whatsoever. The steward was appointed by (cf Acts 20:28, 13:2) and accountable to the owner, the Owner in this verse being God and the "house" being His "sheep", the local body of believers who probably did meet in houses rather than formal church structures. Because the "overseer" is "God's steward", he is directly accountable to Him and thus he must conform to the highest moral and spiritual standards. Other uses of "steward" (or "stewardship") give us a good picture of what God expects from the overseer. Thus, a steward must not squander what has been entrusted to him (Lk 16:1 16:2), in the present context the care of God's "sheep". Paul described himself, Apollo and Cephas as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God" and that "moreover it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy (dependable, reliable, faithful)." (1Cor 4:1 4.2) So one of the most important characteristic of a steward is faithfulness. (cf Mt 24:45) He must use what his master gives him for the good and glory of his master, and not for himself personally. The idea is that he take scrupulous care of that which was entrusted to him, and give it out to others faithfully and as directed by his master Jesus Christ. And finally in an exhortation that applies to overseers and to all believers Peter wrote that As each one has received a special gift (spiritual gift), employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." (see note 1 Peter 4:10, cf "stewardship of God's grace which was given to" Paul; cp Ephesians 3:2-note). Wiersbe adds that The elder must never say, “This is mine!” All that he has comes from God (Jn 3:27) and must be used for God. His time, possessions, ambitions, and talents are all loaned to him by the Lord; and he must be faithful to use them to honor God and build the church. Of course, all Christians ought to be faithful stewards, and not the pastors only! (Wiersbe, W: Bible Exposition Commentary. 1989. Victor) Bengel adds that The greater the master is, the greater the virtues required in His servant. NOT SELF-WILLED: me authade: (Ge 49:6; 2Pe 2:10) not self-pleased (YLT) not overbearing (NIV) not be arrogant (NLT) not headstrong (Darby) must not be bossy (CEV) not pushing himself forward (BBE) must not be aggressive (Phillips) must not be obstinately self-willed (Barclay) not over-fond of having his own way (Weymouth) not self-willed or arrogant or presumptuous (Amp) he must not be presumptuous (Moffatt) Each of the following negative traits is preceded by “not” (Gk = me) and should be considered explanatory of Paul’s fundamental qualification of “above reproach.” "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_17-8.htm#steward

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