Bible Dictionaries

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

Rich, Riches, Richly, Rich Man

akin to B, C, No. 1, "rich, wealthy," is used (I) literally, (a) adjectivally (with a noun expressed separately) in Matthew 27:57; Luke 12:16; 14:12; 16:1,19; (without a noun), 18:23; 19:2; (b) as a noun, singular, a "rich" man (the noun not being expressed), Matthew 19:23,24; Mark 10:25; 12:41; Luke 16:21,22; 18:25; James 1:10,11 , "the rich," "the rich (man);" plural, Mark 12:41 , lit., "rich (ones);" Luke 6:24 (ditto); 21:1; 1 Timothy 6:17 , "(them that are) rich," lit., "(the) rich;" James 2:6 , RV, "the rich;" James 5:1 , RV, "ye rich;" Revelation 6:15; 13:16 , RV, "the rich;" (II) metaphorically, of God, Ephesians 2:4 ("in mercy"); of Christ, 2 Corinthians 8:9; of believers, James 2:5 , RV, "(to be) rich (in faith);" Revelation 2:9 , of spiritual "enrichment" generally; Revelation 3:17 , of a false sense of "enrichment."

"to be rich," in the aorist or point tense, "to become rich," is used (a) literally, Luke 1:53 , "the rich," present participle, lit., "(ones or those) being rich;" 1 Timothy 6:9,18; Revelation 18:3,15,19 (all three in the aorist tense); (b) metaphorically, of Christ, Romans 10:12 (the passage stresses the fact that Christ is Lord; see Romans 10:9 , and the RV); of the "enrichment" of believers through His poverty, 2 Corinthians 8:9 (the aorist tense expressing completeness, with permanent results); so in Revelation 3:18 , where the spiritual "enrichment" is conditional upon righteousness of life and conduct (see GOLD , No. 2); of a false sense of "enrichment," 1 Corinthians 4:8 (aorist), RV, "ye are become rich" (AV, "ye are rich"); Revelation 3:17 (perfect tense, RV, "I ... have gotten riches," AV, "I am ... increased with goods"), see GOODS , Note (3); of not being "rich" toward God, Luke 12:21 .

"to make rich, enrich," is rendered "making (many) rich" in 2 Corinthians 6:10 (metaphorical of "enriching" spiritually). See ENRICH.

is used in the singular (I) of material "riches," used evilly, Matthew 13:22; Mark 4:19; Luke 8:14; 1 Timothy 6:17; James 5:2; Revelation 18:17; (II) of spiritual and moral "riches," (a) possessed by God and exercised towards men, Romans 2:4 , "of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering;" Romans 9:23 and Ephesians 3:16 , "of His glory" (i.e., of its manifestation in grace towards believers); Romans 11:33 , of His wisdom and knowledge; Ephesians 1:7; 2:7 , "of His grace;" Ephesians 1:18 , "of the glory of His inheritance in the saints;" Ephesians 3:8 , "of Christ;" Philippians 4:19 , "in glory in Christ Jesus," RV; Colossians 1:27 , "of the glory of this mystery ... Christ in you, the hope of glory;" (b) to be ascribed to Christ, Revelation 5:12; (c) of the effects of the gospel upon the Gentiles, Romans 11:12 (twice); (d) of the full assurance of understanding in regard to the mystery of God, even Christ, Colossians 2:2 , RV; (e) of the liberality of the churches of Macedonia, 2 Corinthians 8:2 (where "the riches" stands for the spiritual and moral value of their liberality); (f) of "the reproach of Christ" in contrast to this world's treasures, Hebrews 11:26 .

"what one uses or needs" (chraomai, "to use"), "a matter, business," hence denotes "riches," Mark 10:23,24; Luke 18:24; see MONEY , No. 2.

"richly, abundantly," akin to A, is used in Colossians 3:16; 1 Timothy 6:17; Titus 3:6 , RV, "richly" (AV, "abundantly"); 2 Peter 1:11 (ditto).