The term "unprofitable" in the Bible often refers to actions, behaviors, or individuals that do not yield positive spiritual or moral outcomes. It is used to describe that which does not contribute to the growth, edification, or benefit of oneself or others in accordance with God's will.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the concept of being unprofitable is often linked to idolatry and disobedience to God's commandments. The prophets frequently warned Israel about the futility of worshiping idols, which are described as unprofitable because they cannot save or deliver (Isaiah 44:10, Jeremiah 2:8). The unprofitability of idols underscores the importance of faithfulness to God, who alone is the source of true profit and blessing.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the term "unprofitable" is used in various contexts to describe actions or individuals that do not align with the teachings of Christ. One notable instance is found in the Parable of the Talents, where the servant who fails to invest his master's money is called "worthless" or "unprofitable" (Matthew 25:30). This parable illustrates the expectation that believers should actively use their God-given gifts and opportunities for the advancement of God's kingdom.

The Apostle Paul also uses the concept of unprofitability in his epistles. In Romans 3:12 , Paul quotes from the Psalms, stating, "All have turned away; they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." Here, the term "worthless" is synonymous with unprofitable, emphasizing the sinful nature of humanity apart from God's grace.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

From a moral and spiritual perspective, being unprofitable is associated with a lack of fruitfulness in one's life. Jesus teaches that His followers are to bear fruit, and any branch that does not bear fruit is cut off (John 15:2). This metaphor highlights the importance of living a life that is productive in terms of spiritual growth and service to others.

The Epistle to Titus also addresses the issue of unprofitable discussions and disputes. Paul advises Titus to avoid foolish controversies and genealogies, as they are unprofitable and worthless (Titus 3:9). This instruction underscores the need for believers to focus on edifying and constructive conversations that promote unity and understanding within the body of Christ.

Practical Application

In practical terms, Christians are encouraged to evaluate their lives and actions to ensure they are not unprofitable. This involves a commitment to spiritual disciplines, such as prayer, study of Scripture, and active participation in the life of the church. By doing so, believers can avoid the pitfalls of unprofitability and instead contribute positively to the work of God's kingdom.

Ultimately, the concept of being unprofitable serves as a reminder of the call to live purposefully and fruitfully, aligning one's life with the teachings and example of Jesus Christ.255. alusiteles -- unprofitable
... unprofitable. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: alusiteles Phonetic Spelling:
(al-oo-sit-el-ace') Short Definition: profitless, unprofitable Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/255.htm - 7k

512. anopheles -- unprofitable
... unprofitable. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: anopheles Phonetic Spelling:
(an-o-fel'-ace) Short Definition: useless, unprofitable Definition: useless ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/512.htm - 6k

890. achrestos -- useless
... useless. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: achrestos Phonetic Spelling:
(akh'-race-tos) Short Definition: unprofitable, useless Definition: unprofitable ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/890.htm - 7k

888. achreios -- useless
... useless. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: achreios Phonetic Spelling:
(akh-ri'-os) Short Definition: unprofitable, useless, unworthy Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/888.htm - 7k

889. achreioo -- to make useless
... Cognate: 889 (from 888 , "without profit") -- properly, to become useless (without
utility), like when something turns "sour" and unprofitable (used only in Ro ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/889.htm - 7k

3055. logomachia -- a strife of words
... logomachia Phonetic Spelling: (log-om-akh-ee'-ah) Short Definition: contention about
words Definition: contention about words, an unprofitable controversy. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3055.htm - 6k

692. argos -- inactive, idle
... Transliteration: argos Phonetic Spelling: (ar-gos') Short Definition: idle, lazy,
thoughtless Definition: idle, lazy, thoughtless, unprofitable, injurious. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/692.htm - 6k

5532. cakan -- to be of use or service, benefit
... saw-kan') Short Definition: benefit. acquaint self, be advantage, ever,
be, unprofitable, treasurer, be wont A primitive root; to ...
/hebrew/5532.htm - 5k

Unprofitable Servants.
... XXVII. UNPROFITABLE SERVANTS. ... "So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all these
things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants.". ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xxvii unprofitable servants.htm

Idols Unprofitable.
... Book V. Chapter XIV."Idols Unprofitable. "Begin, [761] therefore, to
cast out of your minds the vain ideas of idols, and your ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xiv idols unprofitable.htm

Idols Unprofitable.
... Homily XI. Chapter XII."Idols Unprofitable. "But others say, God does
not care for us. This also is false. For if really He did ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter xii idols unprofitable.htm

Why the World and Man were Created. How Unprofitable is the ...
... Chap. VI."Why the World and Man Were Created. How Unprofitable is the Worship of
False Gods. Now let us mark the whole argument by a brief definition. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap vi why the world and.htm

So Likewise Ye, when Ye Shall have done all those Things
... also the declaration of Christ, Luke 17, 10: So likewise ye, when ye shall have
done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 10 so likewise ye.htm

Titus iii. 11-Aug
... But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings
about the law, for they are unprofitable and vain. ...
/.../homily vi titus iii 11-aug.htm

God's Slaves
... So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you,
say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/gods slaves.htm

The Bond-Servant and the Son
... Luke xvii.7-10. "We are unprofitable servants, we have done that which it was our
duty to do." It seems almost as if we must have misread this passage. ...
/.../peabody/mornings in the college chapel/xix the bond-servant and the.htm

Of Removing Tithes.
... If a man breeds or buys barren unprofitable cattle and sells them, he shall pay
for the agistment; but, if he depastures his land with his cattle, used in ...
/.../prideaux/directions to church-wardens/8 of removing tithes.htm

Whether Twelve Degrees of Humility are Fittingly Distinguished in ...
... rule of the monastery"; the sixth is "to believe and acknowledge oneself viler than
all"; the seventh is "to think oneself worthless and unprofitable for all ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether twelve degrees of humility.htm

Unprofitable (9 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Unprofitable (9 Occurrences). ... (KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). Romans
3:12 They have all turned aside. They have together become unprofitable. ...
/u/unprofitable.htm - 9k

Profitable (34 Occurrences)
... solemnly charging them in the presence of God not to waste time in wrangling about
mere words, a course which is altogether unprofitable and tends only to the ...
/p/profitable.htm - 17k

Profit (143 Occurrences)
... Matthew 25:30 Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness, where
there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' (Root in WEB KJV ASV BBE WBS YLT). ...
/p/profit.htm - 35k

Useless (47 Occurrences)
... Having, or being of, no use; unserviceable; producing no good end; answering no
valuable purpose; not advancing the end proposed; unprofitable; ineffectual; as ...
/u/useless.htm - 19k

Quarrels (10 Occurrences)
... Titus 3:9 but shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about
the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. (See RSV NIV). ...
/q/quarrels.htm - 9k

Questionings (8 Occurrences)
... (WEB ASV BBE DBY). Titus 3:9 but shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife,
and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. (WEB ASV BBE). ...
/q/questionings.htm - 8k

Viper (8 Occurrences)
... viper and fiery flying serpent, they carry their riches on the shoulders of young
donkeys, and their treasures on the humps of camels, to an unprofitable people ...
/v/viper.htm - 10k

Napkin (3 Occurrences)
... nap'-kin (soudarion; Latin sudarium): In Luke 19:20, the cloth in which the
"unprofitable servant" wrapped the money of his lord; compare John 11:44; John 20: ...
/n/napkin.htm - 8k

Utter (111 Occurrences)
... (WBS). Matthew 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into utter darkness:
there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (WBS). ...
/u/utter.htm - 35k

Unprofitableness (1 Occurrence)

/u/unprofitableness.htm - 6k

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