ὠφελέω (ōpheleō)
ōpheleō
to help
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 15 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb ōpheleō means to be of use or advantage, carrying the sense of helping someone by providing a tangible benefit. It appears in fifteen New Testament verses, often describing situations where ordinary resources fall short. In Mark 8:4, the disciples ask if they can feed five thousand people, wondering what such small amounts could possibly do for them. The word highlights the gap between human limitation and actual need.
Its root relates to profit or gain, but in Scripture it frequently appears in negative constructions to emphasize futility. Jesus asks in Matthew 16:26 what good it is to gain the whole world if one loses their soul, using the term to show that earthly success offers no real help for eternal life. Similarly, Paul notes in 1 Corinthians 13:3 that giving away all possessions without love profits nothing.
This word distinguishes between mere presence and actual utility. It is not just about being near someone, but about contributing something that makes a difference. Translators often render it as "help" or "profit," depending on whether the context focuses on personal aid or abstract benefit. The sources note its use with double accusatives, linking both the person helped and the thing provided.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
This word speaks to the difference between mere presence and real help. In our daily lives, we often face situations where resources seem too small or skills feel inadequate. The disciples in Mark 8:3 wondered what a few loaves could do for such a large crowd. This moment captures our own doubts when needs outstrip our abilities. It reminds us that true help comes not from the size of our offering, but from God’s power to use it.
Jesus uses this concept in Matthew 16:26 to show that worldly success offers no real benefit if we lose our souls. Earthly gains cannot save or sustain us eternally. Similarly, Paul notes in 1 Corinthians 13:3 that even great sacrifices mean nothing without love. True help is rooted in relationship and faith, not just action. This word invites us to look beyond surface-level achievements and seek what truly nourishes our spirits.
When we feel overwhelmed, remember that God values sincere effort over perfect results. He uses our small acts of kindness and faith to bring about lasting change. Trust that your contributions, no matter how humble, can make a difference in ways you may never see. Let this truth encourage you to serve with hope, knowing that God honors genuine love and trust.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 15 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- profits3×
- you shall be profited,2×
- you gain1×
- will profit;1×
- will it be profitable1×
- will I profit,1×
- they profited1×
- it availed1×
- is profited1×
- having benefited1×
- did profit1×
- I am profited.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὠφελεῖ4×
- ὠφεληθῇς,2×
- ὠφέλησεν1×
- ὠφελήσω,1×
- ὠφελήσει·1×
- ὠφελήθησαν1×
- ὠφελοῦμαι.¶1×
- ὠφεληθήσεται1×
- ὠφεληθεῖσα1×
- ὠφελεῖτε1×
- ὠφελεῖται1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 8:36
For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?
Jesus uses this word to contrast earthly gain with eternal loss, showing that worldly success offers no real help for the soul.
-
Hebrews 4:2
For indeed we have had good news preached to us, even as they also did, but the word they heard didn’t profit them, because it wasn’t mixed with faith by those who heard.
The author explains that hearing the message only profits when mixed with faith, showing that intellectual knowledge alone does not provide spiritual benefit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word ōpheleō mean?
How is ōpheleō different from other words for 'help'?
Where does this word appear most significantly?
Every Occurrence (15 verses across 8 books)
Matthew 3 verses
But you say, ‘Whoever may tell his father or his mother, “Whatever help you might otherwise have gotten from me is a…
Matthew 16:26For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what will a man give in exchange…
Matthew 27:24So when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting, he took water and washed…