Definition and Nature:
Extortioners are individuals who obtain something, especially money, through force, threats, or other forms of coercion. In biblical terms, extortion is considered a grave sin, as it involves exploiting others and violating the principles of justice and righteousness that are central to God's law.

Biblical References:

1. Old Testament Context:
· The concept of extortion is implicitly condemned in the Old Testament through various laws and teachings that emphasize justice and fairness. For instance, Leviticus 19:13 states, "You must not defraud your neighbor or rob him. The wages due a hired hand must not remain with you until morning." This verse underscores the importance of fair dealings and the prohibition of exploiting others for personal gain.

2. New Testament Teachings:
· The New Testament explicitly addresses the sin of extortion. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 , the Apostle Paul lists extortioners among those who will not inherit the kingdom of God: "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." Here, "swindlers" can be understood to include extortioners, highlighting the severity of this sin.

· In Luke 18:11 , Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, where the Pharisee boasts, "God, I thank You that I am not like other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector." This parable illustrates the self-righteousness of the Pharisee and the societal disdain for extortioners, who were often associated with tax collectors in the Roman world due to their reputation for exploiting others.

3. Moral and Ethical Implications:
· Extortion is fundamentally opposed to the Christian virtues of love, honesty, and integrity. It reflects a heart that is not aligned with God's will, as it prioritizes personal gain over the well-being of others. The Bible calls believers to act justly and to love mercy (Micah 6:8), which stands in stark contrast to the actions of an extortioner.

Historical and Cultural Context:
In biblical times, extortion was often associated with tax collectors and publicans, who were notorious for collecting more than what was due and pocketing the excess. This practice was particularly prevalent under Roman rule, where tax collectors were seen as collaborators with the occupying forces and were thus despised by the Jewish population.

Theological Significance:
The condemnation of extortioners in Scripture serves as a reminder of God's justice and the ethical standards expected of His people. It underscores the importance of treating others with fairness and respect, reflecting the character of God in all dealings. The call to repentance and transformation is extended to all, including extortioners, as seen in the account of Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector who, upon encountering Jesus, repented and made restitution for his wrongs (Luke 19:1-10).

Practical Application:
Believers are encouraged to examine their own lives for any form of extortion or exploitation, whether in business, personal relationships, or other areas. The call to live a life of integrity and justice is central to the Christian faith, and followers of Christ are urged to be examples of fairness and righteousness in a world often marked by greed and corruption.

The Pharisee and Publican
... Ver.11. "The Pharisee stood, and prayed thus with himself; God, I thank thee that
I am not as other men are, extortioners,, unjust, adulterers, or even as this ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the pharisee and publican.htm

The Pharisee and the Publican.
... The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not
as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xxix the pharisee and the.htm

C. The Last Stages. Chs. 17:11 to 19:28
... the other a publican.11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I
thank thee, that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/c the last stages chs.htm

Treatise iv. On the Lord's Prayer.
... The Pharisee stood, and prayed thus with himself: God, I thank Thee that I am not
as other men are, unjust, extortioners, adulterers, even as this publican. ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise iv on the lords.htm

Protesting Our Innocence?
... In saying, "I thank Thee that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust,
adulterers," he was protesting his innocence of the very things that God says ...
/.../hession/the calvary road/chapter 10 protesting our innocence.htm

Faith and Works
... nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor the unmanly, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor
the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit ...
/.../augustine/handbook on faith hope and love/chapter xviii faith and.htm

The Worthy Communicant
... I cannot shut my eyes to the fact that millions are living very sinful, shocking
lives"extortioners, unjust, adulterers; and that three people out of four ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xxxvii the worthy communicant.htm

Wherefore a Few Witnesses, which the Lord Deigns to Suggest to My ...
... "I render thanks to Thee," saith he, "that I am not even as the rest of men,
unjust, extortioners, adulterers, even as also this publican. ...
/.../augustine/of holy virginity /section 32 wherefore a few.htm

And when Jesus Entered Jerusalem, He Went up to the Temple of God. ...
... Pharisee stood apart, [2205] and prayed thus, O Lord, I thank thee, since I am not
like the rest of men, the unjust, the profligate, the extortioners, or even ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xxxii and when jesus.htm

Confession and Absolution
... his eye askance at this publican, when he observed, with selfgratulation, "God,
I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/confession and absolution.htm

Extortioners (3 Occurrences)
...Extortioners (3 Occurrences). ... 1 Corinthians 6:10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor
drunkards, nor slanderers, nor extortioners, will inherit the Kingdom of God. ...
/e/extortioners.htm - 7k

Robbers (21 Occurrences)
... Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this:'God, I thank you,
that I am not like the rest of men, extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, or ...
/r/robbers.htm - 14k

Swindlers (3 Occurrences)
... Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this:'God, I thank you,
that I am not like the rest of men, extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, or ...
/s/swindlers.htm - 7k

Covetous (11 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 5:10 yet not at all meaning with the sexual sinners of this world,
or with the covetous and extortioners, or with idolaters; for then you would ...
/c/covetous.htm - 9k

Unjust (44 Occurrences)
... Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that
I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as ...
/u/unjust.htm - 18k

Unrighteous (32 Occurrences)
... Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this:'God, I thank you,
that I am not like the rest of men, extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, or ...
/u/unrighteous.htm - 16k

Lewd (37 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 5:10 Yet not altogether with lewd persons of this world, or with the
covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters: for then ye must needs go out ...
/l/lewd.htm - 20k

Whoremongers (8 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 5:10 and not certainly with the whoremongers of this world, or with
the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, seeing ye ought then to go forth ...
/w/whoremongers.htm - 8k

Immoral (16 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 5:10 yet not at all meaning with the sexual sinners of this world,
or with the covetous and extortioners, or with idolaters; for then you would ...
/i/immoral.htm - 11k

Inherit (98 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 6:10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor slanderers,
nor extortioners, will inherit the Kingdom of God. ...
/i/inherit.htm - 38k

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