Luke 9:25
New International Version
What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?

New Living Translation
And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?

English Standard Version
For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?

Berean Standard Bible
What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet lose or forfeit his very self?

Berean Literal Bible
For what is a man profited, having gained the whole world, and having destroyed or having suffered the loss of himself?

King James Bible
For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

New King James Version
For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?

New American Standard Bible
For what good does it do a person if he gains the whole world, but loses or forfeits himself?

NASB 1995
“For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?

NASB 1977
“For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?

Legacy Standard Bible
For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?

Amplified Bible
For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world [wealth, fame, success], and loses or forfeits himself?

Christian Standard Bible
For what does it benefit someone if he gains the whole world, and yet loses or forfeits himself?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
What is a man benefited if he gains the whole world, yet loses or forfeits himself?

American Standard Version
For what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and lose or forfeit his own self?

Contemporary English Version
What will you gain, if you own the whole world but destroy yourself or waste your life?

English Revised Version
For what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and lose or forfeit his own self?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
What good does it do for people to win the whole world but lose their lives by destroying them?

Good News Translation
Will you gain anything if you win the whole world but are yourself lost or defeated? Of course not!

International Standard Version
What profit will a person have if he gains the whole world, but destroys himself or is lost?

Majority Standard Bible
What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet lose or forfeit his very self?

NET Bible
For what does it benefit a person if he gains the whole world but loses or forfeits himself?

New Heart English Bible
For what does it profit a person if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits his own self?

Webster's Bible Translation
For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

Weymouth New Testament
Why, what benefit is it to a man to have gained the whole world, but to have lost or forfeited his own self.

World English Bible
For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits his own self?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for what is a man profited, having gained the whole world, and having lost or having forfeited himself?

Berean Literal Bible
For what is a man profited, having gained the whole world, and having destroyed or having suffered the loss of himself?

Young's Literal Translation
for what is a man profited, having gained the whole world, and having lost or having forfeited himself?

Smith's Literal Translation
For what is a man profited, having gained the whole world, and having lost himself, or having been damaged?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, and cast away himself?

Catholic Public Domain Version
For how does it benefit a man, if he were to gain the whole world, yet lose himself, or cause himself harm?

New American Bible
What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?

New Revised Standard Version
What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For how can a man be benefited, if he gain the whole world, but lose his own soul, or even weakens it?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“For how would a man benefit to gain the whole world but destroy his soul or lose it?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For what will it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and destroy himself, or be lost?

Godbey New Testament
For what is a man profited, gaining the whole world, and losing or forfeiting himself?

Haweis New Testament
For what advantage hath a man in gaining all the would, if he destroy himself, or be punished with the loss of life?

Mace New Testament
what advantage is it for a man to have gain'd the whole world, if he himself runs into utter loss and ruin?

Weymouth New Testament
Why, what benefit is it to a man to have gained the whole world, but to have lost or forfeited his own self.

Worrell New Testament
For what is a man profited, in having gained the whole world, but having lost or forfeited himself?

Worsley New Testament
For what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be destroyed?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Take Up Your Cross
24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet lose or forfeit his very self? 26If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.…

Cross References
Matthew 16:26
What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

Mark 8:36-37
What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? / Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

Philippians 3:7-8
But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ. / More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ

Matthew 6:19-21
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

1 John 2:15-17
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. / For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. / The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.

James 4:4
You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.

Ecclesiastes 5:10-11
He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile. / When good things increase, so do those who consume them; what then is the profit to the owner, except to behold them with his eyes?

Proverbs 11:4
Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death.

1 Timothy 6:7-10
For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it. / But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. / Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. ...

Matthew 19:21-22
Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” / When the young man heard this, he went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth.

Psalm 49:6-9
They trust in their wealth and boast in their great riches. / No man can possibly redeem his brother or pay his ransom to God. / For the redemption of his soul is costly, and never can payment suffice, ...

Matthew 13:44-46
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field. / Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. / When he found one very precious pearl, he went away and sold all he had and bought it.

Hebrews 11:24-26
By faith Moses, when he was grown, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. / He chose to suffer oppression with God’s people rather than to experience the fleeting enjoyment of sin. / He valued disgrace for Christ above the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his reward.

Job 27:8
For what is the hope of the godless when he is cut off, when God takes away his life?

Isaiah 55:2
Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods.


Treasury of Scripture

For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

what.

Luke 4:5-7
And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time…

Luke 12:19-21
And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry…

Luke 16:24,25
And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame…

himself.

be.

Matthew 13:48,50
Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away…

1 Corinthians 9:27
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Jump to Previous
Advantaged Benefit Cast Destroyed Destruction Forfeit Forfeited Forfeits Gain Gained Gains Gets Good Loses Loss Penalty Profit Profited Self Undergoes Whole World
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Advantaged Benefit Cast Destroyed Destruction Forfeit Forfeited Forfeits Gain Gained Gains Gets Good Loses Loss Penalty Profit Profited Self Undergoes Whole World
Luke 9
1. Jesus sends his apostles to work miracles, and to preach.
7. Herod desires to see Jesus.
10. The apostles return.
12. Jesus feeds five thousand;
18. inquires what opinion the world had of him; foretells his passion;
23. proposes to all the pattern of his patience.
28. The transfiguration.
37. He heals the lunatic;
43. again forewarns his disciples of his passion;
46. commends humility;
51. bids them to show mildness toward all, without desire of revenge.
57. Many would follow him, but upon conditions.














What does it profit
The phrase "What does it profit" invites us to consider the true value of our pursuits. The Greek word for "profit" is "ὠφελέω" (ōpheleō), which means to benefit or to be useful. This rhetorical question challenges us to evaluate the eternal significance of our actions and priorities. In a world driven by material success, Jesus prompts His followers to reflect on what truly benefits their souls.

a man
The term "a man" here is representative of humanity as a whole. It underscores the universal nature of this teaching. Every person, regardless of status or wealth, is subject to the same spiritual truths. This inclusivity emphasizes that the message of the Gospel is for all people, calling each individual to introspection and spiritual awakening.

to gain the whole world
The phrase "to gain the whole world" speaks to the pursuit of worldly success and material wealth. The Greek word "κερδαίνω" (kerdainō) means to acquire or win. Historically, this reflects the human tendency to seek power, possessions, and prestige. Jesus contrasts this with the spiritual realm, reminding us that earthly gains are temporary and cannot satisfy the eternal needs of the soul.

yet lose
The word "lose" is translated from the Greek "ἀπολέω" (apoleō), meaning to destroy or perish. This term conveys the gravity of spiritual loss, which is far more significant than any material gain. It serves as a warning that the pursuit of worldly success can lead to the destruction of one's spiritual well-being if not aligned with God's will.

or forfeit
The term "forfeit" comes from the Greek "ζημιόω" (zēmioō), which means to suffer loss or damage. This word suggests a voluntary surrender or giving up of something valuable. In this context, it implies that by prioritizing worldly gains over spiritual health, one risks willingly giving up their eternal soul, which is of immeasurable worth.

his very self
The phrase "his very self" refers to the essence of a person, their soul. The Greek word "ἑαυτοῦ" (heautou) emphasizes the personal and intimate nature of this loss. It is a reminder that our true identity and value lie not in external achievements but in our relationship with God. The soul is eternal, and its preservation should be our utmost priority.

(25) And lose himself, or be cast away.--Better, destroy himself, or suffer loss. The first word expresses a more direct act, as of self-destruction, and the second (see Note on Matthew 16:16) implies the thought of the forfeiture of something precious rather than of being absolutely rejected. It presents, so to speak, a slightly softened aspect of the previous words.

Verse 25. - For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? Godet's comment here is pithy and quaint: "Jesus supposes, in this twenty-fifth verse, the act of saving one's own life accomplished with the most complete success... amounting to a gain of the whole world. But in this very moment, the master of this magnificent domain finds himself condemned to perish! What gain to draw in a lottery a gallery of pictures... and at the same time to become blind!" "O flesh," writes Luther (quoted by Dr. Morrison), "how mighty art thou, that thou canst still throw darkness over those things, even to the minds of the holy!"

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
What
Τί (Ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

will it profit
ὠφελεῖται (ōpheleitai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5623: To help, benefit, do good, be useful (to), profit. From the same as opheleia; to be useful, i.e. To benefit.

a man
ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.

if he gains
κερδήσας (kerdēsas)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2770: To gain, acquire, win (over), avoid loss. From kerdos; to gain.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

whole
ὅλον (holon)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3650: All, the whole, entire, complete. A primary word; 'whole' or 'all', i.e. Complete, especially as noun or adverb.

world,
κόσμον (kosmon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2889: Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally).

yet
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

loses
ἀπολέσας (apolesas)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 622: From apo and the base of olethros; to destroy fully, literally or figuratively.

or
(ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

forfeits
ζημιωθείς (zēmiōtheis)
Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2210: From zemia; to injure, i.e. to experience detriment.

his very self?
ἑαυτὸν (heauton)
Reflexive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself.


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NT Gospels: Luke 9:25 For what does it profit a man (Luke Lu Lk)
Luke 9:24
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