ἀλυσιτελής (alusitelēs)
alusitelēs
unprofitable
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective alusitelēs describes something that yields no profit or benefit, carrying a stronger sense of being actively harmful or ruinous. It appears only once in the New Testament, in Hebrews 13:17, where it modifies the behavior of church leaders. The word combines a negative prefix with a root related to advantage or gain, suggesting that such conduct not only fails to help but actually damages those involved.
Translators often render this rare term as "unprofitable," yet the context implies a deeper consequence. In Hebrews, believers are urged to submit to their leaders because they keep watch over them; disobedience is described here as alusitelēs. This choice of word highlights that resisting spiritual guidance does not merely fail to produce good results—it actively harms the soul and community. The term underscores the serious cost of rejecting wise counsel.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word alusitelēs carries a weight far heavier than simple inefficiency. It describes something that not only fails to help but actively harms those involved. In Hebrews 13:17, the author warns that resisting spiritual guidance is unprofitable in this deep sense. It suggests that such resistance does more than miss out on blessing; it damages the soul and weakens the community.
This insight invites us to examine our own hearts regarding those who lead us. Submission here is not about blind obedience but about recognizing the care given on our behalf. When we reject wise counsel, we do not gain independence; we lose the protection meant for our good. Choosing to honor leadership allows it to be done with joy rather than groaning.
May you find peace in the safety of community and the joy of shared purpose. Let this understanding encourage you to support those who watch over your soul, trusting that their care is a gift intended for your lasting benefit.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- unprofitable1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀλυσιτελὲς1×
Key Verses
-
Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch on behalf of your souls, as those who will give account, that they may do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be unprofitable for you.
This verse uniquely defines the severe spiritual cost of resisting leaders, showing that such disobedience actively harms rather than merely failing to help.