Topical Encyclopedia
The term "good-for-nothing" is often used to describe individuals who are deemed worthless or lacking in value, particularly in terms of moral or spiritual worth. In the biblical context, this term is associated with laziness, wickedness, and a failure to fulfill one's God-given responsibilities.
Biblical References:1.
Proverbs 6:12-15 : "A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth, winking his eyes, speaking with his feet, and pointing with his fingers. With deceit in his heart he devises evil; he continually sows discord. Therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly; in an instant he will be shattered beyond recovery."
In this passage, the "worthless person" is characterized by deceit and malicious intent. The description highlights behaviors that are contrary to the wisdom and righteousness that Proverbs advocates. The consequences of such behavior are severe, indicating that a life of wickedness leads to sudden and irreversible ruin.
2.
Matthew 25:30 : "And throw that worthless servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
This verse is part of the Parable of the Talents, where a servant is deemed "worthless" for failing to use the resources entrusted to him by his master. The servant's inaction and lack of initiative result in his being cast into outer darkness, symbolizing separation from God's presence and blessings. This parable underscores the importance of faithfulness and diligence in serving God.
3.
1 Samuel 2:12 : "Now the sons of Eli were wicked men; they had no regard for the LORD."
The sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, are described as "wicked men" who did not know the Lord. Their actions, which included desecrating the sacrifices and exploiting their priestly position, rendered them "good-for-nothing" in the eyes of God. Their behavior serves as a warning against the dangers of spiritual neglect and moral corruption.
Theological Implications:The concept of being "good-for-nothing" in the Bible is closely tied to one's relationship with God and adherence to His commandments. It reflects a life that is not aligned with God's purposes and is marked by moral and spiritual failure. The Bible consistently warns against idleness, wickedness, and a lack of accountability, urging believers to live lives of purpose, integrity, and service.
Moral and Ethical Considerations:From a moral standpoint, the label "good-for-nothing" serves as a caution against behaviors that lead to spiritual and communal harm. It calls individuals to examine their lives, ensuring that they are contributing positively to the community and living in accordance with God's will. The biblical narrative encourages believers to be diligent, faithful, and productive, using their talents and resources for the glory of God and the benefit of others.
Cultural and Historical Context:In ancient Israelite society, as well as in the early Christian community, one's value was often measured by their contribution to the community and adherence to God's laws. The term "good-for-nothing" would have been a severe indictment, reflecting a failure to meet these communal and divine expectations. The biblical texts emphasize the importance of living a life that is pleasing to God, characterized by righteousness, justice, and love.
Greek
889. achreioo -- to make useless... to make useless. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: achreioo Phonetic Spelling:
(akh-ri-o'-o) Short Definition: I am
good for nothing Definition: (lit: I
...4469. rhaka -- empty (an expression of contempt)
... and (). Word Origin of Aramaic origin reqam Definition empty (an expression
of contempt) NASB Word Usagegood-for-nothing (1). Raca....
4657. skubalon -- refuse
... throw") -- properly, thrown to dogs, like filthy scraps of garbage (table-scraps,
dung, muck, sweepings); (figuratively), what isgood-for-nothing except to be...
Strong's Hebrew
2870a. Tabeal -- "good for nothing," an Aramean (Syrian)... 2870, 2870a. Tabeal. 2870b . "
good for nothing," an Aramean (Syrian).
Transliteration: Tabeal Short Definition: Tabeel. Word Origin
...2870. tab'el -- "good for nothing," an Aramean (Syrian)
... tab'el. 2870a . "good for nothing," an Aramean (Syrian). Transliteration:
tab'el Phonetic Spelling: (taw-beh-ale') Short Definition: Tabeal. Tabeal, Tabeel...
434. elul -- thing of nothing
... Word Origin see elil. thing of nothing For 'eliyl;good for nothing -- thing of
nought. see HEBREW 'eliyl. 433, 434. elul. 435 . Strong's Numbers.
7489. ra'a' -- to be evil, bad
... A primitive root; properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively,
to make (or be)good for nothing, ie Bad (physically, socially or morally...
457. elil -- insufficiency, worthlessness
... idol, no value, thing of nothing. Apparently from 'al;good for nothing, by anal.
Vain or vanity; specifically an idol -- idol, no value, thing of nought....
Library
"Good-For-Nothing"
... BIBLE STORIES AND RELIGIOUS CLASSICS "GOOD-FOR-NOTHING". By HANS CHRISTIAN
ANDERSEN.... "So you have a mother who isgood-for-nothing!...
Lucius of Castra Galb?? Said: "Since the Lord Hath Said in his...
... in His gospel, Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor,
that which is salted from it shall be thenceforthgood for nothing, but to be...
To the Same
... therefore they will have to be thatGood.For nothing is like It save Itself
Hence all things that are, are God - an impious assertion....
Sermon for Epiphany
... has said: "Prayer is nothing but the going up of the spirit unto God." And just
as the straw exists for the sake of the corn, and isgood for nothing in itself...
Sermon for Septuagesima Sunday
... hard and black and dry, and good for no purpose whatever; and if we had never seen
it before, we should think it of no use at all, andgood for nothing but to...
That Anything May be Found to be in Infinite Treasure
... Everything in its place is admirable, deep, and glorious; out of its place
like a wandering bird, is desolate andgood for nothing....
Sweet Comfort for Feeble Saints
... themselves in the scales of the sanctuary, and put their own hearts into the balance
of conscience, would appear to begood for nothing"worthless, useless....
How Brother Juniper Took Certain Little Bells from the Altar, and...
... him: "Be not disturbed about those little bells, for I have given them to a poor
woman who had great need of them, and here they weregood for nothing but to...
Early Impressions. Dangerous Books and Companions. The Saint is...
... that gave them pleasure, I kept the conversation alive,"listened to the stories
of their affections and childish follies,good for nothing; and, what was...
Sermon for the Third Sunday in Advent
... of love to rise up unceasingly from itself to God with holy aspiration, never resting
till it hath reached and embraced the HighestGood;for nothing on earth...
Thesaurus
Good-for-nothing (22 Occurrences)Good-
for-
nothing. Good-day,
Good-
for-
nothing. Goodlier .
Multi-Version Concordance
Good-
for-
nothing (22 Occurrences).
...Cursing (53 Occurrences)
... (BBE). 1 Kings 21:10 And get twogood-for-nothing persons to come before him
and give witness that he has been cursing God and the king....
Villain (1 Occurrence)
... Villain (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 6:12 Agood-for-nothing man is an evil-doer;
he goes on his way causing trouble with false words; (See NIV)....
Nothing (769 Occurrences)
... be salted? It is thengoodfornothing, but to be cast out and trodden
under the feet of men. (WEB KJV ASV BBE WBS YLT). Matthew...
Naughty (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (superl.) Having little or nothing. 2. (superl.)
Worthless; bad;goodfornothing. 3. (superl.) hence, corrupt; wicked....
Uncontrolled (58 Occurrences)
... gave him seventy shekels of silver from the house of Baal-berith, with which Abimelech
got the support of a number of uncontrolled andgood-for-nothing persons...
Undertakings (20 Occurrences)
... Judges 11:3 So Jephthah went in flight from his brothers and was living in the land
of Tob, where a number ofgood-for-nothing men, joining Jephthah, went out...
Untested (3 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 13:7 And certain foolish andgood-for-nothing men were joined with
him, and made themselves strong against Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, when he...
Owned (18 Occurrences)
... Judges 19:22 While they were taking their pleasure at the meal, thegood-for-nothing
men of the town came round the house, giving blows on the door; and they...
Judge's (8 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Proverbs 19:28 Agood-for-nothing witness makes sport of the judge's decision:
and the mouth of evil-doers sends out evil like a stream. (BBE)....
Resources
What is the problem of good? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is theodicy? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that God is good? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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