λυσιτελεῖ (lusitelei)
lusitelei
to profit
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb lusitelei means to be useful or profitable, often carrying the sense of covering costs or paying expenses. It derives from roots meaning "to loose" and "price," suggesting a transactional value where something yields a return that justifies its cost. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Luke 17:2.
Jesus uses this term to describe the severe consequences for those who cause believers to stumble. The phrase "it profits him not" implies that any temporary gain from such an act is vastly outweighed by the ultimate loss. This usage highlights a stark contrast between earthly advantage and eternal reality, emphasizing that spiritual harm carries a weight no material benefit can offset.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word lusitelei speaks directly to the value of our actions. It describes a transaction where the return justifies the cost. In Luke 17:2, Jesus uses this term to show that causing another believer to stumble yields no real profit. Any temporary gain is completely outweighed by eternal loss.
This perspective helps us weigh our choices more carefully. We often focus on immediate benefits, but true value lies in how we treat others. Protecting the faith of those around you brings lasting worth that earthly success cannot match.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- It is better1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- λυσιτελεῖ1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 17:2
It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, rather than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble.
Jesus uses this rare term to emphasize that any gain from causing a believer to stumble is ultimately worthless compared to the severe spiritual loss.