εὔχρηστος
eúchrēstos
G2173 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Well-suited or useful for a particular purpose; ready for service, fit for use, beneficial or advantageous in function or character. εὔχρηστος denotes something or someone that can be employed advantageously, is serviceable, or is fit for a given need. In various contexts, it may describe items, people, or qualities that are readily usable or valuable for a specific function or task.
Semantic Range
well-suited for use, useful, fit for service, serviceable, profitable, advantageous, ready or prepared for use
Root / Etymology
Composed of the adverb εὖ (“well, good”) and the adjective χρηστός (“useful, good, serviceable”), forming an adjective meaning 'well-useful' or 'very serviceable'.
Historical & Contextual Notes
While rare in earlier Greek, εὔχρηστος appears in Hellenistic and Koine literature with the sense of being especially suitable or ready for use. In the New Testament (cf. 2 Timothy 2:21 and 4:11), it describes persons who are particularly useful or ready for service, highlighting fitness or suitability rather than general moral goodness. This term is more emphatic than χρηστός alone, stressing adaptability or suitability for a task, not just general kindness or utility. English translations like 'profitable', 'useful', or 'fit for service' reflect its core sense, but may not fully convey the readiness-orientation implicit in the 'εὖ-' prefix. In the Septuagint and later Koine sources, it is less common, but when used, retains the idea of being highly serviceable or fit for a need.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from εὖ and χρηστός; easily used, i.e. useful:--profitable, meet for use.
Root Family
εὔχρηστος (euchrēstos) — to use, to be useful, to serve
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2173-01 |
εὔχρηστον | euchreston | ADJ.S NOM N SG |
useful | well-suited for use | useful | 2 |
G2173-02 |
εὔχρηστος | euchrestos | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
useful | fit for service | useful | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2173-01 |
2 Timothy 2:21 | εὔχρηστον | euchreston | ADJ.S NOM N SG |
useful | well-suited for use | well-suited for use |
G2173-02 |
2 Timothy 4:11 | εὔχρηστος | euchrestos | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
useful | fit for service | useful |
G2173-01 |
Philemon 1:11 | εὔχρηστον | euchreston | ADJ.S ACC M SG |
useful | well-suited for use | useful |