"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*"
Definition and meaning
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*
In the original Greek the word is written: οἰκονόμος
Historical context
Luke wrote as a historian addressing a Greek audience. He carefully interviewed eyewitnesses and arranged events in order. The social and economic realities he describes — Roman taxation, Jewish religious hierarchy, the marginalization of women and the poor — are consistent with first-century Judea under Roman administration.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of oikonomos (G3623) across the King James Bible.
And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?
And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.
Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.
And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.
Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.
Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Refiner gives you the full lexicon entry, AI-powered verse insight, historical commentary, cross-references, and voice study — all in one place.
Free to start · Disciple $4.99/mo · Shepherd $9.99/mo
Common questions
Strong's G3623 (oikonomos) is a Greek word that means: 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 ... It appears 10 times in the King James Bible.
The word oikonomos (G3623) appears 10 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3623 is oikonomos, a Greek word defined as: 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 spi. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
oikonomos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.