Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the concept of "advantage" often relates to the benefits or gains one might receive, whether spiritual, moral, or material. The term is used to explore the benefits of faith, righteousness, and the wisdom of following God's commandments.
Old Testament ContextThe Old Testament frequently addresses the advantages of living a life in accordance with God's laws. In
Deuteronomy 28, the blessings for obedience are outlined, promising prosperity, health, and protection for those who follow God's commandments. This passage highlights the tangible advantages of living a life aligned with divine will.
In the wisdom literature, such as Proverbs, the advantages of wisdom and understanding are emphasized.
Proverbs 3:13-14 states, "Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding, for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold." Here, the advantage is not merely material but also spiritual and intellectual, offering a deeper, more fulfilling life.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of advantage shifts more towards spiritual benefits. The Apostle Paul discusses the advantages of being a Jew in
Romans 3:1-2 , "What, then, is the advantage of being a Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God." Here, the advantage is seen in the privilege of having received God's revelation.
Paul also addresses the advantage of spiritual gifts and the edification of the church in
1 Corinthians 12. The gifts of the Spirit are given for the common good, providing an advantage to the community of believers by building up the body of Christ.
Moral and Spiritual AdvantagesThe Bible often contrasts the temporary advantages of worldly gain with the eternal advantages of spiritual growth and salvation. Jesus teaches in
Mark 8:36 , "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?" This rhetorical question underscores the ultimate advantage of prioritizing one's spiritual well-being over material success.
The advantage of faith is also highlighted in
Hebrews 11, where the faith of the patriarchs is commended. Their lives demonstrate that the true advantage lies in trusting God's promises, even when immediate benefits are not visible.
Practical ApplicationsBelievers are encouraged to seek advantages that align with God's will and purpose. The pursuit of righteousness, wisdom, and spiritual growth is consistently portrayed as advantageous. In
Philippians 3:7-8 , Paul reflects on his own life, stating, "But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ."
This passage illustrates the ultimate advantage of knowing Christ, which surpasses all earthly gains. The believer's focus is thus directed towards eternal rewards and the spiritual advantages of a life devoted to God.
Topical Bible Verses
Romans 3:1-3What advantage then has the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?
Topicalbible.org
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Any condition, circumstance, opportunity, or means, particularly favorable to success, or to any desired end; benefit; as, the enemy had the advantage of a more elevated position.
2. (n.) Superiority; mastery; -- with of or over.
3. (n.) Superiority of state, or that which gives it; benefit; gain; profit; as, the advantage of a good constitution.
4. (n.) Interest of money; increase; surplus (as the thirteenth in the baker's dozen).
5. (v. t.) To give an advantage to; to further; to promote; to benefit; to profit.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ADVANTAGEad-van'-taj (cakhan): InJob 35:3 is interpreted in succeeding clause as "profit." InRomans 3:1 perissos, is likewise interpreted by a paraphrase in the next sentence. the Revised Version (British and American) prefers to render pleonekteo by "take advantage," where the King James Version has "defraud" (2 Corinthians 7:2), or "make gain of" (2 Corinthians 12:17; compare2 Corinthians 2:11). InJude 1:16 "advantage" (opheleia) means "profit."
Greek
3786. ophelos --advantage, help...advantage, help. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: ophelos Phonetic
Spelling: (of'-el-os) Short Definition:
advantage, gain, profit Definition
...4124. pleonexia --advantage, covetousness
...advantage, covetousness. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: pleonexia
Phonetic Spelling: (pleh-on-ex-ee'-ah) Short Definition: covetousness...
3683. Onesiphoros -- "bringingadvantage," Onesiphorus, a...
... 3682, 3683. Onesiphoros. 3684 . "bringingadvantage," Onesiphorus, a Christian.
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Onesiphoros Phonetic Spelling...
4122. pleonekteo -- to have more, to overreach
... more, to overreach. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: pleonekteo Phonetic Spelling:
(pleh-on-cek-teh'-o) Short Definition: I takeadvantage of Definition: I...
5622. opheleia -- assistance, profit, benefit
... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: opheleia Phonetic Spelling:
(o-fel'-i-ah) Short Definition: usefulness, profit,advantage Definition: usefulness...
4053. perissos -- abundant
... Speech: Adjective; Adverb Transliteration: perissos Phonetic Spelling: (per-is-sos')
Short Definition: abundant, greater, vehemently,advantage Definition: more...
2771. kerdos -- gain
... gain. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: kerdos Phonetic Spelling:
(ker'-dos) Short Definition: gain,advantage Definition: gain,advantage, profit....
1554. ekdidomi -- to give up, give out, let out for hire
... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: ekdidomi Phonetic Spelling: (ek-did-o'-mee)
Short Definition: I give out, let, let out for my ownadvantage Definition: I...
4851. sumphero -- to bring together, to be profitable
... to bear together (contribute), ie (literally) to collect, or (figuratively) to conduce;
especially (neuter participle as a noun)advantage -- be better for...
1731. endeiknumi -- to indicate (by word or act), to prove
... interest shown by the one making something . [Such displaying then is always
and sense ofadvantage.]. Word Origin from en and deiknumi...
Strong's Hebrew
3504. yithron --advantage, profit... 3503, 3504. yithron. 3505 .
advantage, profit. Transliteration: yithron
Phonetic Spelling: (yith-rone') Short Definition:
advantage.
...3148. yother -- superiority,advantage, excess
... 3147, 3148. yother. 3149 . superiority,advantage, excess. Transliteration:
yother Phonetic Spelling: (yo-thare') Short Definition:advantage....
5532. cakan -- to be of use or service, benefit
... acquaint self, beadvantage, ever, be, unprofitable, treasurer, be wont
A primitive root; to be familiar with; by implication, to...
4195. mothar -- abundance, preeminence
... 4194, 4195. mothar. 4196 . abundance, preeminence. Transliteration: mothar
Phonetic Spelling: (mo-thar') Short Definition:advantage....
3788. kishron -- skill, success
... Word Origin from kasher Definition skill, success NASB Word Usageadvantage (1),
skill (2).... From kasher; success,advantage -- equity, good, right....
2600. chinnam -- out of favor
... From chen; gratis, ie Devoid of cost, reason oradvantage -- without a cause (cost,
wages), causeless, to cost nothing, free(-ly), innocent, for nothing (nought...
5532a. sakan -- to be of use or service, benefit
... root Definition to be of use or service, benefit NASB Word Usageadvantage (1),
ever been accustomed (1), intimately acquainted (1), nurse (2), profits (1...
Library
Of whatAdvantage to us is Christ's Ascension into Heaven?
... Lord's Day 18 Question 49 Of whatadvantage to us is Christ's ascension into heaven?
Of whatadvantage to us is Christ's ascension into heaven?...
WhatAdvantage is it to us to Know that God Has Created, and by...
... Lord's Day 10 Question 28 Whatadvantage is it to us to know that God has
created, and by his providence does still uphold all things?...
What is the SpecialAdvantage in the Pelagian Opinions?
... Book IV. Chapter 5."What is the SpecialAdvantage in the Pelagian Opinions?
Whatadvantage, then, is it to them that they say...
Treatise ix. On theAdvantage of Patience.
... Treatise IX. On theAdvantage of Patience. Argument."Cyprian Himself Briefly
Sets Forth the Occasion of This Treatise at the Conclusion...
Of theAdvantage and Use of the World and of the Seasons.
... Chap. XIII."Of theAdvantage and Use of the World and of the Seasons. If
any one considers the whole government of the world, he...
Christ Acted for OurAdvantage in Being Unwilling to Reveal the...
... Book V. Chapter XVII. Christ acted for ouradvantage in being unwilling to
reveal the day of judgment.? Christ acted for ouradvantage...
Advantage of the Delay.
... Book I. Chapter XXI."Advantage of the Delay. To this Peter answered: "Tell
Simon in the meantime to do as he pleases, and to rest...
Of theAdvantage of the Delay which Results from the Struggle...
... II. Second Conference of Abbot Moses. Chapter XIII. Of theadvantage of the delay
which results from the struggle between flesh and spirit....
The Necessity andAdvantage of Rebuke.
... A Treatise on rebuke and grace, Chapter 7 [V.]"The Necessity andAdvantage
of Rebuke. To this we answer: Whoever you are that...
Elucidation. Stated in Obscure Terms, withAdvantage...
... Elucidation. Stated in obscure terms, withadvantage? (Stated in obscure terms,
withadvantage, p.495.) Turn back to the Second Apology of Justin (cap....
Thesaurus
Advantage (44 Occurrences)... n.) Any condition, circumstance, opportunity, or means, particularly favorable to
success, or to any desired end; benefit; as, the enemy had the
advantage of a
...Selfish (14 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Caring supremely or unduly for one's self; regarding one's own comfort,
advantage, etc., in disregard, or at the expense, of those of others....
Interest (35 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) Participation inadvantage, profit, and responsibility; share; portion;
part; as, an interest in a brewery; he has parted with his interest in the...
Purchase (25 Occurrences)
... 7. (vt) To apply to (anything) a device for obtaining a mechanicaladvantage; to
get a purchase upon, or apply a purchase to; as, to purchase a cannon....
Better (218 Occurrences)
... of the subject. 6. (n.)Advantage, superiority, or victory; -- usually with
of; as, to get the better of an enemy. 7. (n.) One who...
Benefit (39 Occurrences)
... favor conferred. 2. (n.) Whatever promotes prosperity and personal happiness,
or adds value to property;advantage; profit. 3. (n...
Avail (15 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To turn to theadvantage of; to be of service to; to profit; to benefit;
to help; as, artifices will not avail the sinner in the day of judgment....
Gained (66 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). 2 Corinthians 2:11 that noadvantage may be gained over us by
Satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes. (WEB ASV)....
Gain (142 Occurrences)
... respectable. 3. (vt) That which is gained, obtained, or acquired, as increase,
profit,advantage, or benefit; -- opposed to loss. 4...
Lure (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Any enticement; that which invites by the prospect ofadvantage
or pleasure; a decoy. 3. (n.) A velvet smoothing brush....
Resources
Where/how do you draw the line between helping someone and allowing someone to take advantage of you? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of the Greek word kairos? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is spiritual manipulation? | GotQuestions.orgAdvantage: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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