χρήσιμος (chrēsimos)
chrēsimos
profitable
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective chrēsimos describes something that is fit for use or genuinely useful. Derived from a root meaning "to need" or "to have occasion for," it carries the practical sense of being suitable for a specific purpose. In the New Testament, this word appears only once, in Second Timothy 2:14.
Paul uses it to describe the ideal servant of the Lord, calling him one who is useful to the Master. The term suggests more than general helpfulness; it implies readiness and reliability for the task at hand. A tool that is chrēsimos is not merely present but is properly shaped and maintained for its intended function, reflecting a life prepared for God's work.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word chrēsimos describes a person or thing that is genuinely useful for a specific purpose. It goes beyond simple helpfulness to suggest readiness and reliability. When Paul uses this term, he envisions a servant who is properly shaped and maintained for God's work, much like a tool kept sharp and ready for its intended task.
In 2 Timothy 2:14, Paul contrasts this useful life with arguing about words to no profit. He urges believers to avoid disputes that subvert others, focusing instead on being constructive. This shift from destructive conflict to practical service reflects a heart aligned with the Master’s will, where our actions build up rather than tear down.
For your faith journey, this means striving to be someone who adds value to those around you. It invites you to examine whether your words and deeds are fit for God’s use, fostering an environment of peace and growth rather than confusion and division.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- profitable1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- χρήσιμον1×
Key Verses
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II Timothy 2:14
Remind them of these things, charging them in the sight of the Lord that they don’t argue about words to no profit, to the subverting of those who hear.
This verse contrasts the useful servant with those who argue about words to no profit, highlighting chrēsimos as a call to constructive reliability rather than destructive debate.