Rich (4145) (plousios from ploutos = wealth, abundance, riches) is an adjective which defines that which exists in a large amount with implication of its being valuable. Literally plousios refers to having an abundance of earthly possessions that exceeds normal experience. As used in Eph 2:4 plousios refers to being plentifully supplied with something. Rich is used most often in the NT in the sense of having abundant possessions and especially material wealth and was a frequent topic addressed by the Lord Jesus. It is used figuratively in James to describe those who are rich in faith (Jas 2:5, cp similar use to describe the believers in Smyrna - Rev 2:9). God is "plentifully supplied", overabounding, without measure, very rich and wealthy in regard to His mercy. Plousios - 28x in 28v - NAS = people(1), rich(19), rich man(7), rich man's(1), rich people(1). Matthew 19:23 And Jesus said to His disciples, "Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 "Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Matthew 27:57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. Mark 10:25 "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Mark 12:41 And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. Luke 6:24 "But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full. Luke 12:16 And He told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man was very productive. Luke 14:12 And He also went on to say to the one who had invited Him, "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, otherwise they may also invite you in return and that will be your repayment. Luke 16:1 Now He was also saying to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and this manager was reported to him as squandering his possessions. Luke 16:19 "Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day. Luke 16:21 and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man's table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores. Luke 16:22 "Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. Luke 18:23 But when he had heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. 25 "For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Luke 19:2 And there was a man called by the name of Zaccheus; he was a chief tax collector and he was rich. Luke 21:1 And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. 2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich (plouteo). Ephesians 2:4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 1 Timothy 6:17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. James 1:10-note and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away. James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court? James 5:1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. Revelation 2:9-note 'I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Revelation 3:17-note 'Because you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, Comment: Same word rich presents a striking contrast between the believers in Rev 2:9 in Smyrna and those described in Laodicea! Riches have a distinct tendency to "blur" our spiritual vision. We lose sight of what is truly (eternally) important, those things that make us rich in God's eyes! Beware all who read this and are financially well off! Revelation 6:15-note Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; Revelation 13:16-note And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, Plousios - 56x in the non-apocryphal Septuagint (Lxx) - 13.2" class="scriptRef">Ge 13:2; Ruth 3:10; 1Sam 2:10; 2 Sam 12:1f, 4; 20" class="scriptRef">Esth 1:20; 7.19" class="scriptRef">Job 27:19; Ps 10:8; 34:10; 11" class="scriptRef">45:11; 49:2; Pr 10:15; 14:20; 18:11; 19:22; 22:2, 7, 16; 23:4; Pr 28:6, 11; Eccl 10:6, 20; Isa 5:14; 32:9, 13; 33:20; 53:9; Jer 9:23; 24:1 Pr 10:15 The rich man’s wealth is his fortress, The ruin of the poor is their poverty. Pr 14:20 The poor is hated even by his neighbor, But those who love the rich are many. Pr 18:11 A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own imagination. Pr 22:2 The rich and the poor have a common bond, The LORD is the maker of them all. Pr 22:7 The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower becomes the lender’s slave. Pr 22:16 He who oppresses the poor to make much for himself Or who gives to the rich, will only come to poverty. Pr 23:4 Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, Cease from your consideration of it. Pr 28:6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity, Than he who is crooked though he be rich. Pr 28:11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding sees through him. 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