Luke 12:15

Authorized King James Version

And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
εἶπεν
G2036
he said
to speak or say (by word or writing)
#2
δὲ
G1161
And
but, and, etc
#3
πρὸς
G4314
unto
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
#4
αὐτοῦ
G846
the things which he
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#5
Ὁρᾶτε
G3708
Take heed
by extension, to attend to; by hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear
#6
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#7
φυλάσσεσθε
G5442
beware
to watch, i.e., be on guard (literally of figuratively); by implication, to preserve, obey, avoid
#8
ἀπὸ
G575
of
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
#9
τῆς
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#10
πλεονεξίας
G4124
covetousness
avarice, i.e., (by implication) fraudulency, extortion
#11
ὅτι
G3754
for
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
#12
οὐκ
G3756
not
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
#13
ἐν
G1722
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#14
τῷ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#15
περισσεύειν
G4052
the abundance
to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous; also (transitively) to cause to superabound or excel
#16
τινὶ
G5100
a man's
some or any person or object
#17
ἡ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#18
ζωὴ
G2222
life
life (literally or figuratively)
#19
αὐτοῦ
G846
the things which he
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#20
ἐστιν
G2076
consisteth
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
#21
ἐκ
G1537
of
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
#22
τῶν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#23
ὑπαρχόντων
G5224
possesseth
things extant or in hand, i.e., property or possessions
#24
αὐτοῦ
G846
the things which he
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing life contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Luke Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes life in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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