This compound adjective (φίλος 'loving' + ἄργυρος 'silver/money') describes those whose primary affection is directed toward material wealth. In Luke 16:14, the Pharisees are characterized as φιλάργυροι—lovers of money who scoffed at Jesus' teaching about serving God versus Mammon, unable to hear his critique because of their devotion to wealth. In 2 Timothy 3:2, Paul lists φιλάργυροι among the moral failures that will characterize the last days, placing love of money alongside pride, disobedience, and lack of self-control as marks of a corrupt society.