Topical Encyclopedia
The term "profitable" in the Bible often refers to that which is beneficial, advantageous, or yielding good results, particularly in a spiritual or moral sense. The concept of profitability is not limited to material gain but extends to spiritual growth, wisdom, and righteousness.
Scriptural References:1.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 : "All Scripture is God-breathed and is profitable for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work." This passage highlights the profitability of Scripture in guiding believers toward spiritual maturity and equipping them for service.
2.
1 Timothy 4:8 : "For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come." Here, the Apostle Paul contrasts physical exercise with godliness, emphasizing that while physical training has some benefit, the pursuit of godliness is profitable in all aspects of life, both now and eternally.
3.
Philemon 1:11 : "Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me." In this verse, Paul speaks of Onesimus, a runaway slave who became a believer. The transformation in Onesimus's life made him profitable, illustrating how conversion and spiritual growth can lead to a life of usefulness and service.
4.
Titus 3:8 : "This saying is trustworthy. And I want you to emphasize these things, so that those who have believed God will be intent on engaging in good works. These things are excellent and profitable for the people." Paul encourages believers to focus on good works, which are profitable for the community and reflect the transformative power of faith.
Theological Insights:The Bible presents profitability as a measure of spiritual and moral value rather than mere material wealth. The teachings of Scripture are deemed profitable because they lead to a deeper understanding of God's will and foster a life that reflects His righteousness. The emphasis is on eternal benefits rather than temporary gains.
Practical Application:Believers are encouraged to seek that which is profitable for their spiritual growth and the edification of the church. This includes engaging in activities that promote godliness, studying Scripture, and participating in good works. The pursuit of what is truly profitable aligns with the Christian calling to live a life that honors God and serves others.
Conclusion:The biblical concept of profitability challenges believers to evaluate their priorities and focus on what yields eternal value. By aligning their lives with God's Word and His purposes, Christians can experience the true profitability that comes from a life dedicated to His service.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
a.) Yielding or bringing profit or gain; gainful; lucrative; useful; helpful; advantageous; beneficial; as, a profitable trade; profitable business; a profitable study or profession.
Greek
5624. ophelimos -- useful,profitable... useful,
profitable. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: ophelimos Phonetic
Spelling: (o-fel'-ee-mos) Short Definition:
profitable, beneficial, useful
...4851. sumphero -- to bring together, to beprofitable
... to bring together, to beprofitable. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: sumphero
Phonetic Spelling: (soom-fer'-o) Short Definition: I collect, amprofitable...
4851a. sumphero -- to bring together, to beprofitable
... 4851, 4851a. sumphero. 4851b . to bring together, to beprofitable.
Transliteration: sumphero Short Definition: better. Word Origin...
4851b. sumphoros --profitable, useful
... 4851a, 4851b. sumphoros. 4852 .profitable, useful. Transliteration:
sumphoros Short Definition: benefit. Word Origin from sumphero...
3081. lusiteleo -- to be advantageous,profitable
... to be advantageous,profitable. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: lusiteleo
Phonetic Spelling: (loo-sit-el-i') Short Definition: it profits Definition: it...
2173. euchrestos -- useful
... Transliteration: euchrestos Phonetic Spelling: (yoo'-khrays-tos) Short Definition:
useful, serviceable Definition: useful, serviceable, veryprofitable....
5539. chresimos -- useful
... useful. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: chresimos Phonetic Spelling:
(khray'-see-mos) Short Definition: useful,profitable Definition: useful...
1516. eirenikos -- peaceful
... eirenikos Phonetic Spelling: (i-ray-nee-kos') Short Definition: peaceable, disposed
to peace Definition: peaceable, disposed to peace,profitable....
2315. theopneustos -- God-breathed, ie inspired by God
... 2 Tim 3:16: "Each-and-every (3956 , singular) Scripture (Gk, singular) is (2315 )
andprofitable for teaching, for convincing, for correction, for training in...
890. achrestos -- useless
... Phm 11: "Formerly he was (890 ) to you, but now he is indeed (2173 ) to you and
to me.". [Both terms come from the same root (5532 , "profitable").]....
Strong's Hebrew
6743. tsalach -- to rush... break out, come mightily, go over, be good, be meet, be
profitable, cause
to, effect, Or tsaleach {tsaw-lay'-akh}; a primitive root
...3504. yithron -- advantage, profit
... better, excellent,profitable. From yathar; preeminence, gain -- better,
excellency(-leth), profit(-able). see HEBREW yathar. 3503, 3504. yithron. 3505 ....
3276. yaal -- to confer or gain profit or benefit
... root Definition to confer or gain profit or benefit NASB Word Usage avail (1), furnish
the slightest (1), gain (1), profit (17),profitable (1), slightest...
Library
That it isProfitable to Communicate Often
... THE FOURTH BOOK. OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR CHAPTER III That it is
profitable to Communicate often. The Voice of the Disciple...
The Third Chapter: it isProfitable to Receive Communion Often
... BOOK FOUR. AN INVITATION TO HOLY COMMUNION The Third Chapter: It IsProfitable
to Receive Communion Often. The Disciple BEHOLD, I...
The Other MoreProfitable and Meritorious Martyrdom in Souls
... CHAP. VI. The other moreprofitable and meritorious martyrdom in Souls.
47. The other moreprofitable and meritorious martyrdom in...
"Accuse not Thyself Overmuch, Deeming that Thy Tribulation and Thy...
... CHAPTER LXXVII "Accuse not thyself overmuch, deeming that thy tribulation and thy
woe is all thy fault." "All thy living is penanceprofitable." "In the remedy...
That the Ruler Should be Discreet in Keeping Silence,Profitable...
... That the ruler should be discreet in keeping silence,profitable in speech.
The ruler should be discreet in keeping silence,profitable...
Why Men do not Attain Quickly to the Perfect Love of God. Of Four...
... Of Four Degrees of Prayer. Of the First Degree. The DoctrineProfitable for
Beginners, and for Those Who Have No Sensible Sweetness....
St. Teresa's Arguments of the Chapters.
... She begins to expound by means of a comparison four degrees of prayer, of the first
of which she treats here; this is mostprofitable for beginners and for...
2 Timothy iii. 16, 17
... paul the apostle to Timothy. Homily IX. 2 Timothy iii. 16, 17. 2 Timothy iii.16,
17 "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and isprofitable for doctrine...
The Benefit to the Souls of the Dead from the Sacraments and Alms...
... done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad;" [1303]
for the merit which renders such services as I speak ofprofitable to a man...
Your Origen Allows Himself to Treat of the Transmigration of Souls...
... rational creatures in one body after another, to say that Christ has often suffered,
and will often suffer again, it being alwaysprofitable to undertake what...
Thesaurus
Profitable (34 Occurrences)... (a.) Yielding or bringing profit or gain; gainful; lucrative; useful; helpful;
advantageous; beneficial; as, a
profitable trade;
profitable business; a
...Onesimus (2 Occurrences)
... ONESIMUS. o-nes'-i-mus (Onesimos, literally, "profitable," "helpful" (Colossians
4:9 Philemon 1:10)): 1. With Paul in Rome: Onesimus was a slave (Philemon 1:16...
Useful (14 Occurrences)
... producing, or having power to produce, good; serviceable for any end or object;
helpful toward advancing any purpose; beneficial;profitable; advantageous; as...
Expedient (8 Occurrences)
... The Greek word translated "expedient" (sumphero) means literally, "to bear or bring
together"; with a personal reference, "to be well orprofitable." In the...
Profit (143 Occurrences)
... Acts 20:20 how I didn't shrink from declaring to you anything that wasprofitable,
teaching you publicly and from house to house, (Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE...
Vigorous (9 Occurrences)
... His own counsel shall cast him down. (See NAS). Job 22:2 "Can a man beprofitable
to God? Surely he who is wise isprofitable to himself. (See NAS)....
Waistcloth (9 Occurrences)
... 13:7 Then I went to the Euphrates, and dug, and took the belt from the place where
I had hid it; and behold, the belt was marred, it wasprofitable for nothing...
Waistband (15 Occurrences)
... 13:7 Then I went to the Euphrates, and dug, and took the belt from the place where
I had hid it; and behold, the belt was marred, it wasprofitable for nothing...
Throw (135 Occurrences)
... For it is moreprofitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for
your whole body to be cast into Gehenna. (WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV)....
Exercise (35 Occurrences)
... translated "bodily exercise," contrasted with "exercise unto godliness," the Revised
Version (British and American) "For bodily exercise isprofitable for a...
Resources
What does it mean that everything is permissible in 1 Corinthians 6:12 and 1 Corinthians 10:23? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the different theories of biblical inspiration? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a Biblicist? What is Biblicism? | GotQuestions.orgProfitable: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
