Profitable gain

*G2770 *16 κερδαίνω (ker-dah'-ee-no) : from G2771; to gain (literally or figuratively):--(get) gain, win.

Words: εκερδησα=2 εκερδησας εκερδησεν κερδανω κερδηθησονται κερδησαι=2 κερδησας κερδηση κερδησομεν κερδησω=5

More: Matthew 18:15-17 Conflicting and faulty resolutions

*G2770 *16 κερδαίνω (ker-dah'-ee-no) : from G2771; to gain (literally or figuratively):--(get) gain, win.

Usage

All

κερδησω *5

1 Corinthians 9:19 ... servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

1 Corinthians 9:20 ... a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

1 Corinthians 9:22 ... as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things ...

Philippians 3:8 ... do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

εκερδησα *2

Matthew 25:20 ... five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five ...

Matthew 25:22 ... two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents ...

κερδησαι *2

Mark 8:36 ... shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, ...

Acts 27:21 ... from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.

κερδηση

Matthew 16:26 ... a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, ...

εκερδησας

Matthew 18:15 ... if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

εκερδησεν

Matthew 25:17 ... had received two, he also gained other two.

κερδησας

Luke 9:25 ... is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and ...

κερδανω

1 Corinthians 9:21 ... under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

κερδησομεν

James 4:13 ... and buy and sell, and get gain:

κερδηθησονται

1 Peter 3:1 ... the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

More: Matthew 18:15-17 Conflicting and faulty resolutions

*G2771 *3 κέρδος (ker'-dos) : of uncertain affinity; gain (pecuniary or genitive case):--gain, lucre.

Words: κερδη κερδος κερδους

The ancient Greek word "κέρδος" ≈ "gain, profit" and is the opposite of "ζημῐ́ᾱ" ≈ "loss, damage". Is how Paul uses the word for "gain" the same as how Jesus uses that word?

*G2771 *3 κέρδος (ker'-dos) : of uncertain affinity; gain (pecuniary or genitive case):--gain, lucre.

Usage

All

κερδος

Philippians 1:21 ... is Christ, and to die is gain.

κερδη

Philippians 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted ...

κερδους

Titus 1:11 ... not, for filthy lucre's sake.

*G2770 *16 κερδαίνω (ker-dah'-ee-no) : from G2771; to gain (literally or figuratively):--(get) gain, win.

*G2771 *3 κέρδος (ker'-dos) : of uncertain affinity; gain (pecuniary or genitive case):--gain, lucre.

The ancient Greek word "κερδαίνω" ≈ "gain as profit" from "κέρδος" ≈ "gain, profit". The word appears 23 times in the GNT (Greek New Testament) but not in the LXX (Septuagint). Jesus uses the word 5 times in Matthew., 3 times in the parable of the talents.
The modern Greek word "κέρδος" (KEHR-thos) ≈ "gain, profit" (financial markets).

What is the primary meaning of this word when used by Jesus in the GNT in general and in Matthew in particular?

Let us first look at the use of the word other than by Jesus.

Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. [kjv]

εμοι γαρ το ζην χριστος και το αποθανειν κερδος [gnt]

1:22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. [kjv]

ει δε το ζην εν σαρκι τουτο μοι καρπος εργου και τι αιρησομαι ου γνωριζω [gnt]

1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: [kjv]

συνεχομαι γαρ δε εκ των δυο την επιθυμιαν εχων εις το αναλυσαι και συν χριστω ειναι πολλω γαρ μαλλον κρεισσον [gnt]

Paul will do the work of Christ until it is time for him to depart.

More: Luke 19:1-11 A short discussion on stature

More: Philippians 1b: A gracious favor of joy to Philippi

Philippians 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. [kjv]

αλλ αλλα ατινα ην μοι κερδη ταυτα ηγημαι δια τον χριστον ζημιαν [gnt]

Paul was "zealous" to compete for a goal, but it was the wrong goal! As a result, there was "damage".

Analogy: Climbing the ladder to success when the ladder is on the wrong wall!
The ancient Greek word "κέρδος" ≈ "gain, profit" and is the opposite of "ζημῐ́ᾱ" ≈ "loss, damage". Is how Paul uses the word for "gain" the same as how Jesus uses that word?

More: Philippians 3:5-8 not by works

Philippians 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. [kjv]

αλλ αλλα ατινα ην μοι κερδη ταυτα ηγημαι δια τον χριστον ζημιαν [gnt]

… lucra … arbitratus … detrimenta [v]

The Latin word "lucrum" ≈ "profit, advantage" and is the source of the English word "lucrative". This Latin word is related to the German word "Lohn" ≈ "reward, wages" and the ancient Greek word "ἀπολαύω" ≈ "enjoy".

The Latin word "arbitratus" ≈ "judged, observed". The Latin word "detrimentum" ≈ "harm, loss" and is the source of the English word "detriment".

How does Paul use the word for "gain" compared to how Jesus uses the word?

More: Philippians 3:5-8 not by works

Philippians 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. [kjv]

αλλ αλλα ατινα ην μοι κερδη ταυτα ηγημαι δια τον χριστον ζημιαν [gnt]

… lucra … arbitratus … detrimenta [v]

Is there a third alternative?

"gain"
"no change"
"loss"

More: Philippians 3:5-8 not by works

Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, [kjv]

αλλα μενουνγε και ηγουμαι παντα ζημιαν ειναι δια το υπερεχον της γνωσεως χριστου ιησου του κυριου μου δι ον τα παντα εζημιωθην και ηγουμαι σκυβαλα ειναι ινα χριστον κερδησω [gnt]

… detrimentum … eminentem scientiam … detrimentum … stercora … lucri … [v]

Paul again counts as "loss" or "damage" and "suffered the loss" using the Greek word for "damage" that developed from the Greek word for "zeal" as competition with others for the same goal. After having show the futility of works, Paul will now go to show the importance of faith in Christ.

How does Paul use the word for "gain" compared to how Jesus uses the word?

More: Philippians 3:9-16 Faith in Christ

More: Philippians 3:5-8 not by works

1 Corinthians 9:19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. [kjv]

ελευθερος γαρ ων εκ παντων πασιν εμαυτον εδουλωσα ινα τους πλειονας κερδησω [gnt]

… lucri … [v]

9:20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; [kjv]

και εγενομην τοις ιουδαιοις ως ιουδαιος ινα ιουδαιους κερδησω τοις υπο νομον ως υπο νομον μη ωναυτος υπονομον ινα τους υπο νομον κερδησω [gnt]

… lucrarer [v]

The ancient Greek word "κερδαίνω" ≈ "gain as profit" from "κέρδος" ≈ "gain, profit". The word appears 23 times in the GNT but not in the LXX. Jesus uses the word 5 times in Matthew., 3 times in the parable of the talents.

How does Paul use the word for "gain" compared to how Jesus uses the word?

More: Romans: Under the law as in sewer pipes

1 Corinthians 9:21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. [kjv]

τοις ανομοις ως ανομος μη ων ανομος θεω θεου αλλ εννομος χριστω χριστου ινα κερδησω κερδανω τους ανομους [gnt]

9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. [kjv]

εγενομην τοις ασθενεσιν ως ασθενης ινα τους ασθενεις κερδησω τοις πασιν γεγονα τα παντα ινα παντως τινας σωσω [gnt]

More: Romans: Under the law as in sewer pipes

James 4:13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: [kjv]

αγε νυν οι λεγοντες σημερον και η αυριον πορευσωμεθα πορευσομεθα εις τηνδε την πολιν και ποιησωμεν ποιησομεν εκει ενιαυτον ενα και εμπορευσωμεθα εμπορευσομεθα και κερδησωμεν κερδησομεν [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "κερδαίνω" ≈ "gain as profit" from "κέρδος" ≈ "gain, profit". The word appears 23 times in the GNT but not in the LXX. Jesus uses the word 5 times in Matthew., 3 times in the parable of the talents.

How does James use the word for "gain" compared to how Jesus uses the word?

More: James 4: Selected logical issues

Acts 27:21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. [kjv]

πολλης δε τε ασιτιας υπαρχουσης τοτε σταθεις ο παυλος εν μεσω αυτων ειπεν εδει μεν ω ανδρες πειθαρχησαντας μοι μη αναγεσθαι απο της κρητης κερδησαι τε την υβριν ταυτην και την ζημιαν [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "κερδαίνω" ≈ "gain as profit" from "κέρδος" ≈ "gain, profit". The word appears 23 times in the GNT but not in the LXX. Jesus uses the word 5 times in Matthew., 3 times in the parable of the talents.

How does Luke use the word for "gain" compared to how Jesus uses the word?

More: Crete: History and Bible references

Paul, James, etc., use the Greek word for "gain" in the usual sense.

How does Jesus use that word? Let us check out his usage of the Greek word for "gain" in Matthew (and some in Mark and Luke).

More: Parables and secret codes used and explained by Jesus

Matthew 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. [kjv]

εαν δε αμαρτηση εις σε ο αδελφος σου υπαγε και ελεγξον αυτον μεταξυ σου και αυτου μονου εαν σου ακουση εκερδησας τον αδελφον σου [gnt]

… peccaverit … frater … corripe … audierit lucratus … [v]

The TR (Textus Receptus) adds "against thee". How does that change the meaning of what Jesus says?

The ancient Greek word "κέρδος" ≈ "wiles, craftiness, desire for profit, advantage" and is an opposite of "ζημία" ≈ "loss, damage, penalty".

This verse does not so much say that the first brother gained the other brother but, instead, says that these two brothers are in agreement as in a win-win situation as a commutative relationship without saying whether they are both correct or incorrect. Viewpoint is important.

More: Matthew 18:15-17 Conflicting and faulty resolutions

Matthew 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. [kjv]

… peccaverit … frater … corripe … audierit lucratus … [v]

The relationship here appears to be symmetric. This is not a asymmetric "win-lose" situation. It is a possible symmetric "win-win" situation. If in agreement, They have both gained or won.
This "gain" appears to have to do with convincing, for good or not good, the other person of your viewpoint.

More: Matthew 18:15-17 Conflicting and faulty resolutions

Matthew 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? [kjv]

τι γαρ ωφελειται ωφεληθησεται ανθρωπος εαν τον κοσμον ολον κερδηση την δε ψυχην αυτου ζημιωθη η τι δωσει ανθρωπος ανταλλαγμα της ψυχης αυτου [gnt]

The meaning is to "gain" the "world" and not to "game" the "world". What is the difference?

"ὠφέλιμος" ≈ "helpful, profitable, beneficial".
"ὠφελέω" ≈ "to help, to be useful, to benefit".
"ὄφελος" ≈ "furtherance, advantage, benefit, help against something".

More: Matthew 16:21-28

Matthew 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? [kjv]

Consider the following.

A. How many people can actually "gain" the entire world?
B. How many people can actually "convince" the entire world of their point of view? How many do this via surrogates such as being a fan of a specific sports team, a supporter of a specific political party, etc.?

Claim: There are many more people in set B than in set A.

More: Matthew 16:21-28

*G5623 *15 ὠφελέω (o-fel-eh'-o) : from the same as G5622; to be useful, i.e. to benefit:--advantage, better, prevail, profit.

Words: ωφελει=4 ωφελειται ωφελειτε ωφεληθεισα ωφεληθης=2 ωφεληθησαν ωφεληθησεται ωφελησει ωφελησεν ωφελησω ωφελουμαι

"ὠφέλιμος" ≈ "helpful, profitable, beneficial".
"ὠφελέω" ≈ "to help, to be useful, to benefit".
"ὄφελος" ≈ "furtherance, advantage, benefit, help against something".

More: 2 Timothy 3:13-17 All writings are surely written

*G5623 *15 ὠφελέω (o-fel-eh'-o) : from the same as G5622; to be useful, i.e. to benefit:--advantage, better, prevail, profit.

Usage

All

ωφελει *4

Matthew 27:24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather ...

Mark 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain ...

John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that ...

Romans 2:25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: ...

ωφεληθης *2

Matthew 15:5 ... his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;

Mark 7:11 ... a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.

ωφεληθησεται

Matthew 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain ...

ωφεληθεισα

Mark 5:26 ... had, and was nothing bettered, but rather ...

ωφελειται

Luke 9:25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole ...

ωφελειτε

John 12:19 ... themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world ...

ωφελουμαι

1 Corinthians 13:3 ... have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

ωφελησω

1 Corinthians 14:6 ... speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak ...

ωφελησει

Galatians 5:2 ... if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.

ωφελησεν

Hebrews 4:2 ... the word preached did not profit them, not ...

ωφεληθησαν

Hebrews 13:9 ... with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

More: 2 Timothy 3:13-17 All writings are surely written

Mark 8:35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. [kjv]

ος γαρ αν εαν θελη την εαυτου ψυχην ψυχην αυτου σωσαι απολεσει αυτην ος δ αν απολεση απολεσει την ψυχην αυτου ενεκεν εμου και του ευαγγελιου ουτος σωσει αυτην [gnt]

8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? [kjv]

τι γαρ ωφελησει ωφελει ανθρωπον εαν κερδηση κερδησαι τον κοσμον ολον και ζημιωθη ζημιωθηναι την ψυχην αυτου [gnt]

8:37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? [kjv]

η τι δωσει γαρ δοι ανθρωπος ανταλλαγμα της ψυχης αυτου [gnt]

We see Mark using the word for "gain" and the opposite for "loss".

Mark 8:35

All

KJV: For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

Greek: ος γαρ αν εαν θελη την εαυτου ψυχην ψυχην αυτου σωσαι απολεσει αυτην ος δ αν απολεση απολεσει την ψυχην αυτου ενεκεν εμου και του ευαγγελιου ουτος σωσει αυτην

Mark 8:36

All

KJV: For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

Greek: τι γαρ ωφελησει ωφελει ανθρωπον εαν κερδηση κερδησαι τον κοσμον ολον και ζημιωθη ζημιωθηναι την ψυχην αυτου

Mark 8:37

All

KJV: Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Greek: η τι δωσει γαρ δοι ανθρωπος ανταλλαγμα της ψυχης αυτου

Jesus, in Luke, has some words about pain, as toil and work in this world and gain in another world.

Luke 9:24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. [kjv]

ος γαρ αν θελη την ψυχην αυτου σωσαι απολεσει αυτην ος δ αν απολεση την ψυχην αυτου ενεκεν εμου ουτος σωσει αυτην [gnt]

9:25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? [kjv]

τι γαρ ωφελειται ανθρωπος κερδησας τον κοσμον ολον εαυτον δε απολεσας η ζημιωθεις [gnt]

… proficit … lucretur … [v]

Details are left as a future topic.

More: Evil training is toilsome work: no pain no gain

Matthew 25:16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. [kjv]

πορευθεις δε ο τα πεντε ταλαντα λαβων ειργασατο ηργασατο εν αυτοις και εποιησεν εκερδησεν αλλα πεντε ταλαντα [gnt]

The literal meaning of "talents" is clear. The figurative or code word meaning has some logical issues. The second "talent" is added by the KJV (King James Version) (and many translations).

If one defines "talent" as "ability", then the servant "gained" "five" more "abilities" to go with what was given at the start. Did the servant make up or create those additional "abilities"?

If one defines "talent" as "gain", then the servant was provided "five" "gains" to start with. To define each as different is an equivocation. That is, making different (figurative in this case) meanings equal.

More: Equivocation deception between names and meanings

More: Matthew 25:14-30 Parable of the talents in Matthew

Matthew 25:16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. [kjv]

The Greek word for "five" can be a play on words with "mournings".

How does the meaning of this verse change if the meaning that Jesus uses for "gain" is than of "convincing" someone else of a viewpoint?
What was "gained"?

More: Matthew 25:14-30 Parable of the talents in Matthew

Matthew 25:17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. [kjv]

ωσαυτως και ο τα δυο εκερδησεν και αυτος αλλα δυο [gnt]

A similar reasoning goes for the "two" talents, before and after.

The Greek word translated as "other" is also the word for "but" as in, using English idioms, "on the other hand" or "by the way" or "in addition".

What was "gained"?

[President Truman and economists]

More: Matthew 5:41 Walk a mile for a camel

More: Matthew 25:14-30 Parable of the talents in Matthew

Matthew 25:17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. [kjv]

ωσαυτως και ο τα δυο εκερδησεν και αυτος αλλα δυο [gnt]

The Greek word for "two" can be a play on words with "of God" in both Greek and in Latin or of "but the".
How does the meaning of this verse change if the meaning that Jesus uses for "gain" is than of "convincing" someone else of a viewpoint?

More: Matthew 25:14-30 Parable of the talents in Matthew

John 2:15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; [kjv]

και ποιησας φραγελλιον εκ σχοινιων παντας εξεβαλεν εκ του ιερου τα τε προβατα και τους βοας και των κολλυβιστων εξεχεεν το κερμα τα κερματα και τας τραπεζας ανεστρεψεν ανετρεψεν [gnt]

Is there any deeper meaning to calling the moneychangers by a name for coins that were often used to mark or store inside graves? The following words appear above and only here in the Bible and have the same meaning today.

The modern Greek word "κέρμα" (KEHR-ma) ≈ "coin".
The modern Greek word "κέρματα" (KEHR-ma-ta) ≈ "coins".

The ancient Greek word "κερδαίνω" ≈ "gain as profit" from "κέρδος" ≈ "gain, profit". The word appears 23 times in the GNT but not in the LXX. Jesus uses the word 5 times in Matthew., 3 times in the parable of the talents.

The modern Greek word "κέρδος" (KEHR-thos) ≈ "profit". There appears to be a relation between the word for "coin" and the word for "profit" or "gain".

More: Numismatics: Money and coins in the Bible