What is an extortioner in the Bible?

Answer

The terms extortion and extortioner appear frequently in the King James Version and some modern translations. In various translations, creditor or usurer is sometimes used interchangeably with extortioner in the Old Testament.

An extortioner is someone who obtains something through threats. The essence of extortion lies in the fact that a person is compelled to pay or do something to prevent a harmful action by the extortioner. Blackmail is a classic example of extortion. Another form of extortion is kidnapping for ransom. Many thriller plots revolve around extortion scenarios—such as a character with security clearance being coerced into providing security codes to a mysterious villain who threatens harm to their family if they refuse to comply.

The King James Version employs the term extortioner in 1 Corinthians 5:10 and 6:10. Most contemporary versions use the term swindler instead. The Greek term used in these passages describes someone who takes things out of greed and self-interest without consideration for the victim. In modern legal terms, specific distinctions are made between different crimes: robbery versus theft, assault versus battery, manslaughter versus murder, and so on. However, Scripture often uses broader terms. Whether something is taken by force, threat, or deception, the underlying attitude remains the same: “I will take what I want regardless of the consequences to others.” If such sin is found in a professing Christian, it necessitates church discipline (1 Corinthians 5:10-11), and ultimately reveals that the individual is not a genuine believer “neither thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”, (1 Corinthians 6:10).

In the Old Testament, depending on the translation, lenders or creditors are also sometimes referred to as extortioners. WhetherCriminality is indicated depending on the context, and sometimes it is unclear or irrelevant. In Psalm 109:10, David prays against his enemies. One of the things he prays for is that “the creditor may take all [his enemy] owns.” In this context, it does not matter whether this is a legitimate moneylender or an extortioner.

Today, the creditor and extortioner are sometimes combined into one individual—the “loan shark.” The loan shark lends money at an exorbitantly high rate of interest to someone who is desperate, even if there is no foreseeable means to repay the loan. Threats of violence may follow, leading to further criminal acts to settle the debt. These behaviors are clearly condemned in Scripture.

Lending money to someone who cannot repay and then extorting repayment is immoral. That’s why, in a legitimate loan, borrowers must provide evidence to banks that they have reasonable means to repay the loan, and the interest rate is heavily regulated. One factor in the economic crash of 2008–09 was that banks were approving loans for people to buy homes that were much more expensive than the borrowers could afford. Consequently, there were widespread defaults on those loans.

There is a growing call for “social justice” to simply forgive student loans. Some argue that any request for repayment of a loan or any foreclosure on a home constitutes extortion: “If you don’t pay, I will take your house and put you and your family out on the street.” However, legitimate loans, agreed to by the borrower at the time of the loan, should be repaid. Demanding loan forgiveness under threat of sanctions may itself amount to a form of extortion. Psalm 37:21 states that “the wicked borrow and do not repay.”

While the Bible warns about the dangers of debt, it does not prohibit all money lending or borrowing or the charging of interest. Not everyone who lends money is an extortionist. However, even if there is no extortion or exorbitant interest involved, Proverbs 22:7 warns that “the borrowerR is a slave to the lender” (KJV).