"useless, unprofitable, worthless, Mt. 25:30; unmeritorious, Lk. 17:10*"
Definition and meaning
useless, unprofitable, worthless, Mt. 25:30; unmeritorious, Lk. 17:10*
In the original Greek the word is written: ἀχρεῖος
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of achreios (G888) across the King James Bible.
And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
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Common questions
Strong's G888 (achreios) is a Greek word that means: useless, unprofitable, worthless, Mt. 25:30; unmeritorious, Lk. 17:10* It appears 2 times in the King James Bible.
The word achreios (G888) appears 2 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G888 is achreios, a Greek word defined as: useless, unprofitable, worthless, Mt. 25:30; unmeritorious, Lk. 17:10*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
achreios is a Greek word found in the New Testament.