Original Word: ὀψώνιον
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: opsónion
Pronunciation: op-so'-nee-on
Phonetic Spelling: (op-so'-nee-on)
KJV: wages
NASB: wages, expense
Word Origin: [neuter of a presumed derivative of the same as G3795 (ὀψάριον - fish)]

1. rations for a soldier
2. (by extension) his stipend or pay

wages.

Neuter of a presumed derivative of the same as opsarion; rations for a soldier, i.e. (by extension) his stipend or pay -- wages.

see GREEK opsarion

3800 opsṓnion (from opson, "meat" and onemoai, "purchase") – properly, the purchase of meat (food); later, "ration-money paid to soldiers" (BAGD); hence, wages ("fitting compensation").

3800 (opsōnion) is used figuratively for the eternal compensation (divine recompense) of the unrighteous, in keeping with their earthly deeds (Ro 6:23).

Word Origin
from the same as opsarion and óneomai
Definition
provisions, wages
NASB Translation
expense (1), wages (3).

STRONGS NT 3800: ὀψώνιον

ὀψώνιον, ὀψωνιου, τό (from ὄψον — on which see ὀψάριον, at the beginning — and ὠνέομαι to buy), a later Greek word (cf. Sturz, De dial. Maced. et Alex., p. 187; Phryn. ed. Lob., p. 418), properly, whatever is bought to be eaten with bread, as fish, flesh, and the like (see ὀψάριον). And as grain, meat, fruits, salt, were given to soldiers instead of pay (Caesar b. g. 1, 23, 1; Polybius 1, 66f; 3, 13, 8), ὀψώνιον began to signify:

1. universally, a soldier's pay, allowance (Polybius 6, 39, 12; Dionysius Halicarnassus, Antiquities 9, 36), more commonly in the plural (Winers Grammar, 176 (166); Buttmann, 24 (21)) ὀψώνια, properly, that part of a soldier's support given in place of pay (i. e. rations) and the money in which he is paid (Polybius 1, 67, 1; 6, 39, 15; 1 Macc. 3:28 1 Macc. 14:32; 1 Esdr. 4:56; Josephus, Antiquities 12, 2, 3): Luke 3:14; 1 Corinthians 9:7 (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 31, 7 d.).

2. metaphorically, wages: singular 2 Corinthians 11:8; τῆς ἁμαρτίας, the hire that sin pays, Romans 6:23.

Semantic Range and Imagery

Ὀψώνιον, translated “wages” or “pay,” originally described a soldier’s daily rations or stipend in classical Greek. By New Testament times it had broadened to any form of earned compensation. The military flavor lingers, however, supplying an evocative backdrop: sin and gospel ministry are pictured as opposing “commands,” each distributing its own wages to those who serve.

Canonical Distribution

Luke 3:14; Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 9:7; 2 Corinthians 11:8.

Historical and Cultural Background

In the Roman army the opsōnion was issued from the state treasury and covered both food allotment and cash salary. Veterans could expect land or citizenship as further recompense. This concrete system of remuneration informed the New Testament writers, who employed the term to underscore the certainty and appropriateness of spiritual compensation—whether from sin, the churches, or the Lord Himself.

Ethical Instruction (Luke 3:14)

John the Baptist exhorted soldiers: “Collect no more than you are authorized, and be content with your wages” (Luke 3:14). The verse sets ὀψώνια within a call to integrity and contentment. Military personnel, tempted to supplement income through intimidation, are told that God-given provision is sufficient. The application extends to every believer tempted toward dishonest gain.

Theological Contrast of Rewards (Romans 6:23)

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Paul juxtaposes earned payment with unmerited grace. Sin functions as a tyrannical employer who settles accounts in death—physical, spiritual, and eternal. Salvation, by contrast, is no paycheck but a “gift” (χάρισμα). The verse serves as a concise gospel summary and underscores human inability to earn life.

Apostolic Right to Material Support (1 Corinthians 9:7; 2 Corinthians 11:8)

“Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? … Who tends a flock and does not drink of its milk?” (1 Corinthians 9:7). Paul cites the soldier’s opsōnion to defend the principle that gospel workers may receive material support. Later he remarks, “I robbed other churches by accepting their support in order to serve you” (2 Corinthians 11:8). His hyperbole highlights both the legitimacy of ministerial wages and his voluntary relinquishment of them in Corinth to remove stumbling blocks.

Old Testament Parallels

Though ὀψώνιον is Greek, the concept aligns with Hebrew terms such as שָׂכָר (śāḵār, wages) and פְּעֻלָּה (peʿullāh, payment). Leviticus 19:13 and Deuteronomy 24:15 forbid withholding wages, establishing a divine concern for just compensation that carries into the New Covenant.

Christological Fulfillment

At the cross Jesus bore the “wages” due to sinners, though He Himself had earned none. His resurrection demonstrates the Father’s acceptance of that substitutionary payment and inaugurates the gift-life offered to all who believe.

Pastoral and Missional Implications

1. Gospel proclamation must retain the double truth of earned death and gifted life (Romans 6:23).
2. Churches are responsible to supply adequate opsōnia to those who labor in Word and doctrine (1 Timothy 5:17-18 echoes the same principle).
3. Believers should cultivate contentment, trusting God’s provision and rejecting coercive or dishonest means of income (Luke 3:14; Hebrews 13:5).
4. Ministries may at times emulate Paul’s example, foregoing legitimate wages for strategic gospel advance, yet this must never be leveraged to shame those who accept support.

Eschatological Perspective

The motif of wages culminates in Revelation 22:12: “Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me.” Faithfulness and unfaithfulness alike will be recompensed. Romans 6:23 ensures that for those in Christ the fatal wage has already been paid, leaving only the lavish generosity of God to be received.

οψωνια οψώνια ὀψώνια οψωνιοις οψωνίοις ὀψωνίοις οψωνιον οψώνιον ὀψώνιον opsonia opsōnia opsṓnia opsoniois opsoníois opsōniois opsōníois opsonion opsōnion opsṓnionInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts