"rich, opulent, wealthy; and pl. οἱ πλούσιοι, the rich, Mt. 19:23, 24; 27:57; met. rich, abounding in, distinguished for, Eph. 2:4; Jas. 2:5; Rev. 2:9; 3:17; rich in glory, dignity, bliss, etc., 2 Cor. 8:9"
Definition and meaning
rich, opulent, wealthy; and pl. οἱ πλούσιοι, the rich, Mt. 19:23, 24; 27:57; met. rich, abounding in, distinguished for, Eph. 2:4; Jas. 2:5; Rev. 2:9; 3:17; rich in glory, dignity, bliss, etc., 2 Cor. 8:9
In the original Greek the word is written: πλούσιος
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
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 plousios (G4145) across the King James Bible.
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple:
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.
And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.
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.
There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
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Common questions
Strong's G4145 (plousios) is a Greek word that means: rich, opulent, wealthy; and pl. οἱ πλούσιοι, the rich, Mt. 19:23, 24; 27:57; met. rich, abounding in, distinguished for, Eph. 2:4; Jas. 2:5; Rev. 2:9; 3:17; rich in glory, dignity, bliss, etc., 2 Cor.... It appears 28 times in the King James Bible.
The word plousios (G4145) appears 28 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4145 is plousios, a Greek word defined as: rich, opulent, wealthy; and pl. οἱ πλούσιοι, the rich, Mt. 19:23, 24; 27:57; met. rich, abounding in, distinguished for, Eph. 2:4; Jas. 2:5; Rev. 2:9;. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
plousios is a Greek word found in the New Testament.