Greed as Idolatry: The Origin and Meaning of a Pauline Metaphor

by Brian S. Rosner

Publisher:

Eerdmans

, 2007

Overview

What are the origin and meaning of the words “greed is idolatry” found in Ephesians 5:5 and Colossians 3:5? In what sense are the greedy guilty of idolatry? Many different answers have been given to this question throughout the history of interpretation. In fact, a consensus exists on only one score -- that the expression serves to vilify greed.

Brian Rosner ably takes on the challenge of interpretation by tackling the phrase as a metaphor, structuring his argument around an intriguing comparison to mountain climbing. From this vantage point, he offers a thorough history of interpretation of the phrase, including a study of the origin of the concept of idolatrous greed in biblical and Jewish sources. Rosner concludes that the comparison of greed with idolatry teaches that to desire to acquire and keep for oneself more money and material things is an attack on God’s exclusive right to human love, trust, and obedience.

With this work comes a stunning, fresh understanding of familiar terms -- “greed,” “idolatry,” and even “God” -- challenging both the church as a whole and individual believers to consider the far-ranging implications of our materialistic world. The first full-length study of this intriguing Pauline expression, Greed as Idolatry has profound implications for theological ethics today.

Key Features

• Explores the origin and meaning of the words “greed is idolatry” found in Ephesians 5:5 and Colossians 3:5.
• Anwers in what sense the greedy are guilty of idolatry.
• Includes a study of the origin of the concept of idolatrous greed in biblical and Jewish sources.

Contents

• Preface
• Abbreviations
• PART I Introduction: Orientation and Preparation
• 1. “Greed as Idolatry”: A Formidable Peak
• 2. The History of Interpretation: Lessons from Other Climbers
• 3. Method for the Present Study: Maps and Supplies
• PART II The Origin of the Concept of Idolatrous Greed: A Comparison with Similar Peaks
• 4. The Jewish Scriptures: The Distant Ranges
• 5. Early Jewish Moral Teaching: The Tablelands
• 6. The New Testament: The Foothills
• 7. Conclusion: Debriefing the Trekkers
• PART III The Meaning of “Greed Is Idolatry”: Climbing the Mountain
• 8. Understanding Greed: The Surrounding Terrain
• 9. Understanding Idolatry: The Surrounding Terrain
• 10. Understanding Greed as Idolatry: Reaching the Summit
• 11. Conclusions: Final Debrief and a Look Ahead
• Bibliography
• Indexes

Praise for Greed as Idolatry

Recommended for all biblical scholars, pastors, and interested students, as it is sure to become the standard treatment of this significant phrase.

—Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society

Modern readers are often surprised to discover ‘greed’ in the New Testament vice lists along with what they view as much more serious sins. But Ephesians and Colossians both call it idolatry, and other eras of church history often understood this better than we do in today’s Western world. Rosner explores the concept of greed as idolatry in rich detail from every imaginable angle — exegetical, theological, historical, sociological — and challenges contemporary Christianity to take it far more seriously. A crucial topic for anyone who wants to be faithful to biblical ethics.

—Craig L. Blomberg, Denver Seminary

Product Details

• Title: Greed as Idolatry: The Origin and Meaning of a Pauline Metaphor
• Author: Brian S. Rosner
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Print Publication Date: 2007
• Logos Release Date: 2025
• Pages: 214
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Subjects: Avarice; Avarice › Biblical teaching; Idolatry › Biblical teaching; Idols and images › Worship--Biblical teaching; Metaphor in the Bible; Bible › Criticism, interpretation, etc; Bible. N.T. Epistles of Paul
• Resource ID: LLS:GRDSDLTPLNMTPHR
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2025-02-07T14:38:19Z

About Brian S. Rosner

Brian S. Rosner, is Principal of Ridley Melbourne in Melbourne, Australia. He formerly taught at Moore Theological College, Macquarie University and the University of Aberdeen. He is the author of several books, including Paul, Scripture and Ethics: A Study of 1 Corinthians 5-7 and Greed as Idolatry: The Origin and Meaning of a Pauline Metaphor. He is also co-editor of the New Dictionary of Biblical Theology and co-author of a volume on 1 Corinthians in the Pillar New Testament Commentary series.