"to help, profit, benefit, accomplish, Mt. 27:24; Mk. 7:11; Rom. 2:25; be of value, Jn. 6:63"
Definition and meaning
to help, profit, benefit, accomplish, Mt. 27:24; Mk. 7:11; Rom. 2:25; be of value, Jn. 6:63
In the original Greek the word is written: ὠφελέω
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 opheleo (G5623) across the King James Bible.
But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;
For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.
For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
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Common questions
Strong's G5623 (opheleo) is a Greek word that means: to help, profit, benefit, accomplish, Mt. 27:24; Mk. 7:11; Rom. 2:25; be of value, Jn. 6:63 It appears 15 times in the King James Bible.
The word opheleo (G5623) appears 15 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5623 is opheleo, a Greek word defined as: to help, profit, benefit, accomplish, Mt. 27:24; Mk. 7:11; Rom. 2:25; be of value, Jn. 6:63. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
opheleo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.