"profitable, expedient, 1 Cor. 7:35; 10:33*"
Definition and meaning
profitable, expedient, 1 Cor. 7:35; 10:33*
In the original Greek the word is written: σύμφορος
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 symphoros (G4851) across the King James Bible.
And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.
And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,
All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
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Common questions
Strong's G4851 (symphoros) is a Greek word that means: profitable, expedient, 1 Cor. 7:35; 10:33* It appears 17 times in the King James Bible.
The word symphoros (G4851) appears 17 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4851 is symphoros, a Greek word defined as: profitable, expedient, 1 Cor. 7:35; 10:33*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
symphoros is a Greek word found in the New Testament.