What Does Acts 20:33 Mean in the King James?
I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The verb translated “coveted” is the same verb Jesus uses for a desire he eagerly embraces, so the verse distinguishes desire by what it reaches for.
THE MEANING
Another person’s silver, gold, or clothing does not become the object of a grasping desire. Desire itself remains; its direction is what this verse brings into view. Wealth can be present without being claimed by the heart.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that every strong desire is greed: the same Greek verb describes Jesus’ desire to share a meal with his friends.
THE ROOT
ἐπεθύμησα
epethymēsa
GROWS FROM
θυμ-
thym-
A stirring impulse or passion; in this word family, desire directed toward something.
The Greek verb ἐπιθυμέω (epithymeō) means “desire” or “long for,” and its form here is rendered “coveted.” Luke uses the same verb when Jesus says he has desired to eat the Passover with his friends: intensity alone does not define the desire; what it reaches for matters.
ALSO GROWS
epithymeō: Desire, long for; in this verse, covet.
ἐπιθυμέω
This is the verb in Acts 20:33, showing that “covet” belongs to a wider word for directed desire.
epithymia: Desire, longing.
ἐπιθυμία
This related noun carries the same desire-family into other passages, where its object gives the longing its direction.
THE PATTERN
Desire becomes grasping or shared longing according to what it reaches for.
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.THE THREAD
And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:Luke uses the very same Greek verb, ἐπιθυμέω (epithymeō), “desire,” that appears as “coveted” in Acts 20:33. The shared word opens a distinction between desire that grasps at another’s possessions and desire for a table shared with friends.
Read the SDV Bible.
Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.
The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.
Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us