255. alusitelés
Lexical Summary
alusitelés: Unprofitable, useless

Original Word: ἀλυσιτελής
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: alusitelés
Pronunciation: ah-loo-see-teh-LAYS
Phonetic Spelling: (al-oo-sit-el-ace')
KJV: unprofitable
NASB: unprofitable
Word Origin: [from G1 (α - Alpha) (as a negative particle) and the base of G3081 (λυσιτελεῖ - better)]

1. unprofitable, gainless
2. (by implication) exceedingly injurious, malicious, destructive, or deadly

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
unprofitable.

From a (as a negative particle) and the base of lusitelei; gainless, i.e. (by implication) pernicious -- unprofitable.

see GREEK a

see GREEK lusitelei

HELPS Word-studies

255 alysitelḗs (an adjective, derived from 1 /A "not" and 3089 /lýō, "to loose") – properly, not able to hold together (cohere), i.e. "not profitable because lacking cohesion"; (figuratively) missing benefit because not complete (especially missing something essential).

255 /alysitelḗs ("unprofitable"), used only in Heb 13:17, describes the lost benefits from making a poor choice.

[255 (alysitelḗs) is used in classical Greek (as in Hippocrates) as a technical medical term for "unfavorable" symptoms.]

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from alpha (as a neg. prefix) and lusiteleó (to pay dues, be useful)
Definition
unprofitable
NASB Translation
unprofitable (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 255: ἀλυσιτελής

ἀλυσιτελής, (ές (λυσιτελής, see λυσιτελέω), unprofitable, (Xenophon, vectig. 4, 6); by litotes, hurtful, pernicious: Hebrews 13:17. (From (Hippocrates) Xenophon down.)

STRONGS NT 255a: ἄλφαἄλφα, τό, indeclinable: Revelation 1:8; Revelation 21:6; Revelation 22:13. See A.

Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Nuance

ἀλυσιτελές conveys the idea of what brings no benefit and may even prove injurious. Whereas χρήσιμον or ὠφέλιμον depict something “useful” or “profitable,” ἀλυσιτελές stands at the opposite pole: a course of action or attitude that yields no spiritual gain and can undermine well-being.

Biblical Context (Hebrews 13:17)

“Obey your leaders and submit to them. For they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Allow them to do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no benefit to you.” (Berean Standard Bible)

Here the word describes the outcome for believers who resist godly oversight. The writer to the Hebrews is not safeguarding clerical privilege; he is guarding the flock’s welfare. Spiritual obstinacy renders pastoral labor heavy-hearted, and such grief rebounds upon the congregation. The single New Testament use therefore ties “unprofitableness” to relational, covenantal dynamics within the church.

Intertextual Resonance

In Wisdom literature, the “profit” (ὠφέλεια, συμφέρον) of listening to instruction is a recurring theme (for example Proverbs 12:1; 19:20). Hebrews applies the mirror image: disregard for divinely appointed guidance is ἀλυσιτελές. Paul likewise urges that believers pursue what is “helpful” (Romans 14:19; 1 Corinthians 10:23), reinforcing the polarity between profitable and unprofitable conduct.

Theological Implications

1. Accountability under Christ. Shepherds must “give an account,” echoing Ezekiel 34:10 and underscoring Christ’s ultimate headship.
2. Corporate responsibility. The body’s health depends on each part’s cooperation (Ephesians 4:16). Failure to respond rightly to leadership is not morally neutral; it is spiritually damaging.
3. Joy as a pastoral barometer. Joyless ministry signals dysfunction; the congregation shares responsibility for maintaining its leaders’ joy (Philippians 2:17-18).

Ministerial Application

• Churches should cultivate transparent structures where leaders watch “over souls” rather than merely administrate.
• Members, desiring their own edification, heed counsel quickly—avoiding the ἀλυσιτελές outcome.
• Leaders measure faithfulness not only by orthodoxy but by whether their service is rendered “with joy.” A joyless shepherding season invites self-examination for both pastors and people.

Historical and Cultural Notes

First-century assemblies often met in homes and relied on itinerant exhorters. Resistance to such leaders could splinter fragile communities already under social pressure (Hebrews 10:32-34). The author counters potential factionalism by warning that non-submission would prove “unprofitable,” thwarting the very endurance Hebrews urges.

Practical Wisdom for Today

Believers weigh every attitude toward authority by its spiritual yield. Grumbling may appear harmless, yet Scripture labels it ἀλυσιτελές—void of benefit. Pursuing what edifies, what “profits,” aligns the church with Christ’s intention that His people “bear much fruit” (John 15:8).

Forms and Transliterations
αλυσιτελες αλυσιτελές ἀλυσιτελὲς αλφϊτα άλφιτον αλφίτου αλφίτων άλφος αλώθ alusiteles alysiteles alysitelès
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Englishman's Concordance
Hebrews 13:17 Adj-NNS
GRK: μὴ στενάζοντες ἀλυσιτελὲς γὰρ ὑμῖν
NAS: for this would be unprofitable for you.
KJV: for that [is] unprofitable for you.
INT: not groaning unprofitable indeed for you [would be]

Strong's Greek 255
1 Occurrence


ἀλυσιτελὲς — 1 Occ.

254
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