What Does Luke 16:4 Mean in the King James?
I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.
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 Greek word for “stewardship” carries “house” within it, and the steward turns the household he is losing into a path toward other houses.
THE MEANING
When a role you rely on is ending, your attention can shift quickly from the work itself to the place you will land next. This steward turns what remains in his control into a plan for being welcomed into other people’s homes. The verse exposes the link he sees between present access and future belonging.
THE ROOT
οἰκονομίας
oikonomias
GROWS FROM
οἶκος (oikos, house or household) + νέμω (nemō, manage or allot)
Managing or allotting what belongs to a household.
English places “stewardship” and “houses” far apart, but the Greek connects them through the same household word-family. His role is household management; when it ends, his plan seeks a place in other households.
ALSO GROWS
oikonomos: household manager, steward
οἰκονόμος
This is the person who carries out the household management named by οἰκονομία (oikonomia, stewardship).
oikos: house, household; houses
οἶκος ; οἴκους
The verse ends with οἴκους (oikous, houses), echoing the household contained in “stewardship.”
δέξωνταί
dexōntai
GROWS FROM
δέχομαι
dechomai
To receive or welcome.
“receive” in this verse is dexōntai. The verb describes the steward himself being received into a dwelling, not merely being given something. The same verb appears in verse 9, where the hoped-for welcome is widened toward “everlasting habitations.”
ALSO GROWS
apodechomai: welcome, receive warmly
ἀποδέχομαι
This related form keeps the focus on receiving someone, as the steward hopes to be received into homes.
prosdechomai: welcome, await or expect
προσδέχομαι
Its sense of expecting to receive illuminates the future welcome the steward is trying to arrange.
ἔγνων
egnōn
GROWS FROM
γινώσκω
ginōskō
To know, recognize or perceive.
The Greek says, “I knew what I would do,” where the KJV says “I am resolved what to do.” Knowing moves directly into a course of action: what the steward sees becomes his plan.
ALSO GROWS
gnōsis: knowledge
γνῶσις
This noun shares the knowing root behind the steward’s recognition of what he will do.
epiginōskō: recognize, come to know
ἐπιγινώσκω
This related verb shows knowing as recognition, echoing the steward’s grasp of the situation before him.
THE PATTERN
Resources held in trust can shape the welcome and provision that reach beyond the present moment.
And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:THE THREAD
And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.The Greek verb translated “receive” is the same in both verses: the steward hopes others will welcome him into their houses. Verse 9 carries that hope forward into “everlasting habitations,” making the future welcome explicit.
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