← G5623

ὠφέλιμος

ōphélimos

G5624 predicate adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Useful, beneficial, advantageous; describes something that brings help or benefit, often in a practical, moral, or spiritual sense. The term is applied to teachings, actions, or things that render service or promote well-being, whether materially or in terms of personal development. Contextual senses include 'profit-making', 'of practical utility', 'conducive to good', or 'useful for instruction'.

Semantic Range

useful, beneficial, advantageous, profitable, helpful, serviceable, conducive to good

Root / Etymology

From ὄφελος (advantage, benefit, profit) with the suffix -ιμος, forming an adjective denoting capability or suitability for a quality; literally 'that which brings benefit or profit'.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Attested in post-classical and Koine Greek, ὠφέλιμος is especially frequent in moral, philosophical, and didactic contexts. In the New Testament (e.g., 1 Timothy 4:8; 2 Timothy 3:16), it highlights the practical or ethical utility of actions or teachings (such as godliness or scriptural instruction), emphasizing their real benefit. In contrast to terms like χρηστός ('useful', often implying pleasantness or kindness), ὠφέλιμος focuses on objective advantage or usefulness. English translations usually employ 'profitable', 'useful', or 'beneficial', though 'profitable' can misleadingly suggest merely financial gain; the Greek encompasses moral and practical helpfulness as well. The concept of ὠφέλιμος as contrasted with something 'vain' (μάταιος) illustrates its role in Koine moral discourse.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a form of ὄφελος; helpful or serviceable, i.e. advantageous:--profit(-able).

Root Family

ὀφελ- (óphelos) — to benefit, to be of use, to help, to be advantageous

Root ὀφελ- to benefit, to help, to profit
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G3786 ὄφελος benefit

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5624-02 ὠφέλιμος ophelimos ADJ.P NOM F SG profitable beneficial beneficial 3
G5624-01 ὠφέλιμα ophelima ADJ.P NOM N PL profitable beneficial things profitable 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5624-02 1 Timothy 4:8 ὠφέλιμος ophelimos ADJ.P NOM F SG profitable beneficial beneficial
G5624-02 1 Timothy 4:8 ὠφέλιμός ophelimos-2 ADJ.P NOM F SG profitable beneficial beneficial
G5624-02 2 Timothy 3:16 ὠφέλιμος ophelimos ADJ.S NOM F SG profitable beneficial beneficial
G5624-01 Titus 3:8 ὠφέλιμα ophelima ADJ.P NOM N PL profitable beneficial things profitable
← G5623 Greek Lexicon