Unprofitableness, in a biblical context, refers to the state of being unproductive, ineffective, or lacking in value, particularly in spiritual or moral terms. This concept is often associated with actions, behaviors, or attitudes that do not contribute to the growth of one's faith or the advancement of God's kingdom.

Biblical References:

1. Hebrews 7:18 · "So the former commandment is set aside because it was weak and useless." This verse highlights the unprofitableness of the old covenant in terms of its inability to bring about perfection. The law, while holy and just, was insufficient to achieve the ultimate reconciliation between God and humanity, necessitating a new covenant through Jesus Christ.

2. Matthew 25:30 · "And throw that worthless servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." In the Parable of the Talents, Jesus describes the fate of the unprofitable servant who failed to use his master's resources wisely. This serves as a warning against spiritual complacency and the failure to utilize God-given gifts for His glory.

3. Romans 3:12 · "All have turned away; they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." This passage underscores the inherent unprofitableness of humanity apart from divine intervention. It reflects the fallen nature of man and the universal need for redemption through Christ.

4. Titus 3:9 · "But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless." Paul advises Titus to steer clear of debates that do not edify or build up the church. Such disputes are deemed unprofitable as they distract from the core message of the Gospel and hinder spiritual growth.

Theological Implications:

Unprofitableness is often contrasted with fruitfulness, a key theme in the New Testament. Believers are called to bear fruit in keeping with repentance (Matthew 3:8) and to live lives that reflect the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. The parables of Jesus frequently emphasize the importance of productivity in the spiritual realm, urging followers to invest their talents and resources in ways that yield eternal dividends.

The concept also serves as a reminder of the futility of human efforts apart from God's grace. In John 15:5, Jesus states, "Apart from Me you can do nothing," highlighting the dependence of believers on Christ for any meaningful or lasting impact. This dependence is not a call to passivity but an invitation to active participation in God's work, empowered by His Spirit.

Practical Application:

In practical terms, Christians are encouraged to evaluate their lives for areas of unprofitableness, seeking to align their actions with God's purposes. This involves a commitment to spiritual disciplines, such as prayer, study of Scripture, and service, which foster growth and fruitfulness. Additionally, believers are urged to avoid distractions and pursuits that do not contribute to their spiritual maturity or the edification of the church.

Ultimately, the call to avoid unprofitableness is a call to live intentionally, with a focus on eternal values and the advancement of God's kingdom.

Unprofitableness of Idols.
... Homily X. Chapter VII."Unprofitableness of Idols. "Begin, [1122] then,
to divest yourselves of the injurious fear of vain idols ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter vii unprofitableness of idols.htm

Christ's Assertion About the Unprofitableness of the Flesh ...
... Chapter XXXVII."Christ's Assertion About the Unprofitableness of the Flesh
Explained Consistently with Our Doctrine. He says, it ...
/.../on the resurrection of the flesh/chapter xxxvii christs assertion about the.htm

1 Cor. xiv. 1
... their profit, not bearing any grudge against them that have the gift; since not
even in his own person doth he shrink from pointing out its unprofitableness. ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxxv 1 cor xiv.htm

How Christ is Made Use of for Justification as a Way.
... There must be a despairing of getting help or relief out of this condition, by
ourselves, or any thing we can do; a conviction of the unprofitableness of all ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter iv how christ is.htm

Hebrews vii. 14-Nov
... Ver.18. "For there is verily" (he says) "a disannulling of the commandment going
before, for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof." Here the Heretics [2964 ...
/.../homily xiii hebrews vii 14-nov.htm

Against Foolish Talking and Jesting.
... Then he further determineth it, by adjoining a peculiar quality thereof,
unprofitableness, or impertinency; [Greek] (which are not pertinent), or conducible ...
/.../against foolish talking and jesting.htm

Prefatory Notice.
... To save from comparative disuse and consequent unprofitableness"from being buried
in an undeserved seclusion, if not oblivion, many sparkling truths, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/prefatory notice.htm

Free Grace (Preached Before the Queen at Windsor, March 12, 1865. ...
... Paul says, Moses' law made nothing perfect, and therefore had to be disannulled
for its unprofitableness and weakness, and a better hope brought in, by which ...
/.../the water of life and other sermons/sermon viii free grace preached.htm

The Allegory of Melchizedek.
... For there is a disannulling of a foregoing commandment because of its weakness and
unprofitableness (for the Law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter vii the allegory of.htm

To those who are Altogether Reprobate, and Unrepentant, who ...
... But against those who are unrepentant, he brings forward the cursing of another
fig-tree, to which the Lord said, because of its unprofitableness, "No fruit ...
/.../peter/the writings of peter of alexandria/canon iv to those who.htm

Unprofitableness (1 Occurrence)
...Unprofitableness (1 Occurrence). Hebrews 7:18 For there is verily a disannulling
of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. ...
/u/unprofitableness.htm - 6k

Unprofitable (9 Occurrences)

/u/unprofitable.htm - 9k

Unprotected (1 Occurrence)

/u/unprotected.htm - 6k

Disannulling (1 Occurrence)
... Disannulling (1 Occurrence). Hebrews 7:18 For there is verily a disannulling of
the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. ...
/d/disannulling.htm - 6k

Preceding (7 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Hebrews 7:18 For there is verily a disannulling of the preceding commandment
on account of its weakness and unprofitableness. (WBS). ...
/p/preceding.htm - 8k

Former (107 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 7:18 for a disannulling indeed doth come of the command going before because
of its weakness, and unprofitableness, (See NAS RSV NIV). ...
/f/former.htm - 41k

Setting (82 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 7:18 For there is a setting aside of the commandment going before
for its weakness and unprofitableness, (DBY NAS). Hebrews ...
/s/setting.htm - 32k

Thereof (845 Occurrences)
... (ASV). Hebrews 7:18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going
before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. (KJV). ...
/t/thereof.htm - 35k

Aside (416 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 7:18 For there is a setting aside of the commandment going before
for its weakness and unprofitableness, (DBY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/a/aside.htm - 37k

Profit (143 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS). Hebrews 7:18 For there is verily a disannulling of
the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. ...
/p/profit.htm - 35k

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