Language Studies

Greek Thoughts

EMPOREUOMAI* - Part 1 - εχηγεομαι (Strong's #1834)
Make merchandise of, make a gain of, exploit

Please note that all Biblical quotes are presented from the Literal Translation.

Last week we studied the noun ἐμπὸριον (Strong's #1712), which is translated "market" and the "merchandise" in the marketplace. We learned that Jesus drove the merchants out of the temple area specifically because they were conducting business there. He said that His Father's house is a house of prayer. We are extending this understanding into our present study as we begin a two-part examination of the two places in Scripture where the verb form, ἐμπορεὺομαι (Strong's #1710), is found. It's meaning is "to make merchandise of, to make gain of, to exploit."

James 4:13-17 is the first text where ἐμπορεὺομαι is found. In these verses, James describes a process, that of a believer making plans. In his presentation, we find the pure meaning of ἐμπορεὺομαι.

13)

Come now, the ones who are saying, "Today and tomorrow we will go into this city, and we will do one year there and we will do business (ἐμπορεὺομαι) and we will make gain;"

James is calling-out those who make plans without the Lord, quoting from the perspective of one who is making plans to go into a city and spend a year there doing business (ἐμπορεὺομαι) and making money.

14)

you who have not known the activity of tomorrow, for what is your life? For it is a vapor which is^F1 appearing for a little time, and afterward disappearing;

In this verse, James is introducing the fact that life is as a vapor appearing and then disappearing. He states that earthly existence is for a short time and that we do not know what tomorrow will bring. His emphasis is on the fact that life here on earth is but a "little time" and our "disappearing" from this earthly scene may take place at any moment.

15)

instead that you should say,^F2 "If The Lord should will and we will live, and we will also do this or that."

James now introduces the proper approach for Christians to have toward life; we are to make plans with the Lord's will in mind. Indeed, we are to plan, but we need to be open to the fact that our plans may not coincide with the Lord's plans for us. Our plans may differ from His in two ways. First, we may head in a direction that is not what the Lord has planned for us. Second, we may head in the direction the Lord does have planned for us, but we perceive one reason for going and the Lord has other reasons for directing us there. Therefore, when we make plans, we must be open and flexible to change them, in order that the Lord's will be fulfilled instead of our own.

16)

But now you are boasting in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.

James now delves into the source of planning without submission to the Lord's will. He claims that to do so is "boasting in your arrogance." The word used here for "boasting" is καυχὰομαι (Strong's #2744). In context, this word does not mean one is boasting of planning without the Lord, but James is saying that planning the activities of one's life without submission to the Lord's will is acting as one's own god. He also says that this boasting is rooted in their "arrogance" (ἀλαζονεὶα, Strong's #212). ̓Αλαζονεὶα expresses a pride speaking out of presumption that one's plans will be accomplished.

17)

Therefore to have known to do good, and not doing it, to him it is sin.

James concludes with the powerful statement that it is sin to make plans without being in submission to the Lord's will, while knowing that we should be so submitted. This reflects back on the fact that when Christians plan without an attitude of submission to the Lord's will, they are governing their own lives and not submitting to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. In effect, they are being their own gods, living as if they create the activities of their lives.

While the Word of God encourages us to plan, it expressly states that we are to be receptive to the will of the Lord in every situation since we do not know what the Lord's will is for tomorrow. This truth is best expressed in an old saying: Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be broken. This text is a good teaching reminding us that even though we might have surrendered our lives to Christ, there is still a struggle daily between the flesh and the Spirit of the Lord as to the direction and activity of our lives.

Next week we will study ἐμπορεὺομαι from 2 Peter 2:3 where Peter warns the believers that false teachers will make merchandise of them.

* EMPOREUOMAI is the English font spelling of the Greek word ἐμπορεὺομαι.

Technical Notes:

F1: The article ἡ modifying the noun ἀτμὶς, "vapor," is translated ποῦεἶναι, "which is."

F2: The preposition ἀντὶ,"instead" or "in place of," used with the articular infinitive with the accusative as the subject of the infinitive τοῦ͂λὲγειν͂ὑμᾶς, "the to say you," is translated by ἀντὶ͂νὰ͂λὲγητε, "instead that you should say."

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