ὠφέλεια
ōphéleia
G5622 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Benefit, utility, advantage—refers to that which is of use or brings a favorable result. Denotes both practical usefulness (that which is profitable or advantageous) and more abstract value (what serves a purpose or confers benefit in a broader sense). Can be applied to material gain, moral improvement, or spiritual advantage, depending on context.
Semantic Range
benefit, utility, usefulness, advantage, profit (in general sense), improvement, moral or spiritual gain
Root / Etymology
From the noun ὠφέλεια (ōphéleia), derived from the verb ὠφελέω (ōpheleō, 'to help, be useful, benefit'), itself from a root ὀφέλ- meaning 'to help, benefit.' Related to ὠφέλιμος (ōphelimos, 'useful, beneficial, profitable'). The precise root's earliest sources are uncertain but likely pre-Koine Greek.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ὠφέλεια referred to any kind of benefit, aid, or helpfulness, often in practical or utilitarian contexts. In the Septuagint and New Testament, ὠφέλεια commonly denotes practical or spiritual profit—what is advantageous in terms of outcome or value. For example, it is used in rhetorical questions about the profit or benefit of theoretical or superficial religious practices without genuine transformation (e.g., James 2:14, 16). In the Greco-Roman world, the term was used broadly for financial gain, social advantage, or moral/spiritual improvement. English translations often use 'advantage,' 'profit,' or 'benefit,' but sometimes fail to capture the nuance between practical use and deeper value. Not to be confused with κέρδος, which specifically refers to gain or profit, especially in a monetary sense; ὠφέλεια has a broader field of utility and abstract advantage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from a derivative of the base of ὠφέλιμος; usefulness, i.e. benefit:--advantage, profit.
Root Family
ὠφέλεια (ōpheleia) — benefit, usefulness, advantage, profit, improvement
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5622-01 |
ὠφέλια | ophelia | N NOM F SG |
benefit | benefit | benefit | 1 |
G5622-02 |
ὠφελίας | ophelias | N GEN F SG |
advantage | of benefit | of benefit | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5622-01 |
Romans 3:1 | ὠφέλια | ophelia | N NOM F SG |
benefit | benefit | benefit |
G5622-02 |
Jude 1:16 | ὠφελίας | ophelias | N GEN F SG |
advantage | of benefit | of benefit |