Lexical Summary ópheleia: Benefit, Profit, Advantage Original Word: ὠφέλεια Strong's Exhaustive Concordance advantage, profit. From a derivative of the base of ophelimos; usefulness, i.e. Benefit -- advantage, profit. see GREEK ophelimos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ópheleó Definition assistance, profit, benefit NASB Translation advantage (1), benefit (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5622: ὠφέλειαὠφέλεια (WH ὠφελία (cf. Iota)), ὠφελείας, ἡ, (ὠφελης), from (Sophocles and) Herodotus down, usefulness, advantage, profit: Romans 3:1; τῆς ὠφελείας χάριν (Polybius 3, 82, 8 (yet in the sense of 'booty')), Jude 1:16. (Job 22:3; Psalm 29:10 Topical Lexicon Scope and Significance Strong’s Greek 5622 points to the idea of “advantage,” “benefit,” or “profit.” Though the noun appears only twice in the New Testament, each setting frames a decisive contrast between what God calls profitable and what fallen humanity calls advantageous. Biblical Usage 1. Romans 3:1—national and covenant privilege. Together they outline a movement from God-given privilege that should bless the world to man-made schemes that exploit others. Romans 3:1 – Covenant Privilege “What, then, is the advantage of being a Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision?” (Romans 3:1). Paul raises the question of Israel’s unique benefit, not to dismiss it, but to show that true advantage lies in possessing the very oracles of God (Romans 3:2). The noun thus highlights the privilege of revelation. Yet privilege carries responsibility: knowledge of God’s will must lead to faith and obedience (Romans 2:17-24). The verse warns every believer that external badges—ethnic, sacramental, or institutional—offer no lasting benefit apart from a regenerate heart. Jude 1:16 – Self-Serving Speech “These men are discontented grumblers … they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.” (Jude 1:16). Here the term exposes false teachers who manipulate through flattery. Whereas Romans speaks of legitimate covenant blessing, Jude unmasks counterfeit gain. The Spirit thus sets a measuring line: advantage pursued at others’ expense is sin; benefit received so that others may be blessed is grace. Apostolic Perspective on True Advantage • Advantage is rooted in God’s revelation (Romans 3:2). Historical Context First-century Judaism treasured circumcision as a covenant marker. Paul affirms its historical worth yet reorients the discussion toward inward transformation. Jude, writing later, confronts itinerant teachers who exploited Christian hospitality codes for material or social gain. Both contexts demonstrate how divine gifts can be twisted when hearts are unchanged. Old Testament and Septuagint Parallels The Septuagint repeatedly renders Hebrew roots for “profit” (yithron, yarah) with cognates of ὠφέλεια, especially in Wisdom literature: These texts set the stage for New Testament writers who distinguish temporal gain from eternal profit (Matthew 16:26). Early Church Interpretation Patristic commentators such as Chrysostom linked Romans 3:1 to the church’s stewardship of Scripture, urging believers not merely to possess scrolls but to live them. On Jude 1:16, they warned against clerics who traded doctrine for social favor, insisting that shepherds seek the flock’s good, not personal advantage. Ministry Applications Today • Preaching: Emphasize that spiritual privileges—baptism, Bible knowledge, church membership—are profitable only when united with faith and obedience. Pastoral Counseling and Discipleship Implications Romans 3:1 encourages gratitude for any heritage that exposes one to Scripture; Jude 1:16 warns against manipulating community for selfish ends. Discipleship must therefore cultivate both appreciation of God-given resources and vigilance against pride. Promise of Spiritual Advantage in Christ Earthly advantages fade. The gospel offers incorruptible gain: “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6). The term ὠφέλεια ultimately drives the reader to the cross, where the greatest “profit” is reconciliation with God and the privilege of sharing His word with the world. Forms and Transliterations ωφέλεια ὠφέλεια ωφέλειαν ωφελείας ὠφελείας ωφελια ὠφελία ωφελιας ὠφελίας opheleia ophéleia ōpheleia ōphéleia opheleias opheleías ōpheleias ōpheleíasLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Romans 3:1 N-NFSGRK: τίς ἡ ὠφέλεια τῆς περιτομῆς NAS: what is the benefit of circumcision? KJV: what profit [is there] of circumcision? INT: what the profit of the circumcision Jude 1:16 N-GFS Strong's Greek 5622 |
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