Thesauros, Thesaurus, and Treasure
Thesauros, thesaurus, and treasure. What do these have in common?
Thesauros
Thesauros is the English spelling of a Greek word θησαυρός. According to Strong’s concordance, it means “a deposit, ie, wealth (literally or figuratively):-treasure.”
I was enjoying my quiet time a few weeks ago and read Matthew 6:19-21.
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
I no longer remember what made me stop and look up the word for treasure, but I did. And stopped short.
Treasure = thesauros.
And that made me think of thesaurus.
But what did thesaurus have to do with treasure?
Thesaurus
I thought I knew what a thesaurus was, but looked it up nonetheless. According to Merriam-Webster.com, a thesaurus is “a book of words or of information about a particular field or set of concepts, especially : a book of words and their synonyms.”
Why was the word meaning treasure chosen to describe a book of words or information?
Treasure
Several times in Scripture we read where Jesus explains to His followers to store up treasure in heaven rather than on earth. Earthly treasure can easily be lost or spoiled. But treasure stored in heaven can never be stolen or corrupted.
Jesus told a rich young ruler to sell what he had and give to the poor. Then he would have treasure in heaven (Matthew 19:21).
Another time Jesus spoke to His disciples and said something similar. “Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys” (Luke 12:32-34).
Each time the word for treasure is thesauros…the same word from which we get the word thesaurus.
The Living Word
After several weeks of these thoughts percolating in my mind, I still am in amazement. A book of words or information is considered treasure.
Then what about God’s word? The Bible is a great treasure. A book filled with words that leads us to the Living Word. A treasure beyond compare.
Jesus talked about storing up treasure in heaven, treasure that will never spoil or fade. And Peter, in his letter to the saints, said,
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (I Peter 1:3-4).
Heavenly Treasure
We have a treasure reserved in heaven for us. An inheritance that will not fade away. Jesus, the Living Word, is our treasure in heaven. And while we walk this earth, our hope exists because of His resurrection from the dead and His provision of life eternal for us.
While we are not yet in full possession of our eternal reward, we still have a grand treasure. God left us His written word, the Bible. It is filled with information and words of life, a thesauros. A treasure.
My prayer is for us to keep our focus on the One Who is our Treasure and has provided us every treasure we need for here and eternity. The Living Word. Our great Thesauros.
(Scripture: New King James Version; Photo: Taken by Carolyn Thigpen, Tribble Mill Park, 2026)
