Lexical Summary kerdainó: To gain, to win, to profit Original Word: κερδαίνω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance gain, win. From kerdos; to gain (literally or figuratively) -- (get) gain, win. see GREEK kerdos HELPS Word-studies 2770 kerdaínō – properly, to profit (gain), an ancient mercantile term for exchanging (trading) one good for another; (figuratively) to exchange (trade out) what is mediocre ("good") for the better, i.e. "trading up" (cf. Js 4:13). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kerdos Definition to gain NASB Translation gain (2), gained (4), gains (2), incurred (1), profit (1), win (5), won (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2770: κερδαίνωκερδαίνω: (future κερδήσω, James 4:13 Rec.bez elz L T Tr WH; see also below); 1 aorist ἐκέρδησα (an Ionic form from κερδάω, which later writers use for the earlier ἐκερδανα, see Lob. ad Phryn., p. 740; Alexander Buttmann (1873) Ausf. Sprchl. ii., p. 215; Winers Grammar, 87 (83); (Veitch, under the word)), once 1 aorist subjunctive κερδάνω (1 Corinthians 9:21 L T Tr (but WH (cf. also Griesbach note) read the future κερδάνω, cf. Buttmann, 60 (53); § 139, 38)); 1 future passive κερδηθήσομαι (the subjunctive κερδηθήσωνται, 1 Peter 3:1 R G is a clerical error (cf. references under the word καίω, at the beginning), for which L T Tr WH have restored κερδηθήσονται (cf. Buttmann, § 139, 38)); (from Hesiod down); (from κέρδος); to gain, acquire; (Vulg. passimlucrifacio (alsolucro, etc.)); a. properly: τόν κόσμον, Matthew 16:26; Mark 8:36; Luke 9:25; money, Matthew 25:16 (L T WH),17,20,22; absolutely, to get gain, James 4:13. b. metaphorically, α. with nouns signifying loss, damage, injury, it is used of the gain arising from shunning or escaping from the evil (where we say to spare oneself, be spared): τήν ὕβριν ταύτην καί ζημίαν, Acts 27:21; τό γέ μιανθῆναι τάς χεῖρας κερδαίνειν, to avoid the crime of fratricide, Josephus, Antiquities 2, 3, 2; ζημίαν, to escape a loss, Euripides, Cycl. 312; other examples in Kypke, Observations, ii., p. 139f β. τινα, to gain anyone i. e. to win him over to the kingdom of God, which none but the placable enter, Matthew 18:15; to gain one to faith in Christ, 1 Peter 3:1; 1 Corinthians 9:19-22; Χριστόν, to gain Christ's favor and fellowship, Philippians 3:8. Not found in the O. T. Strong’s Greek 2770, appearing seventeen times in the New Testament, consistently contrasts two spheres of profit: temporal and eternal. Whether used in parables, evangelistic strategy, or ethical warning, kerdainō underscores that true gain is measured by kingdom values, not earthly calculation. Jesus’ Parabolic Teaching on Faithful Profit Matthew 25:16-27 clusters half of the usages. The faithful servants who “gained” additional talents illustrate responsible stewardship of God-entrusted resources. Their industry is celebrated: “Master, you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.” (Matthew 25:20). The return is not self-enrichment but readiness for the Master’s commendation and entrance into His joy. The insecure servant, who seeks only to avoid loss, is condemned—showing that spiritual passivity forfeits true profit. Profit versus Soul-Loss In three Synoptic sayings, kerdainō measures the futility of worldly success apart from salvation: • Mark 8:36: “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” Here “gain” is deliberately hyperbolic—if every earthly advantage could be secured, the exchange rate cannot purchase eternal life. Jesus reorients ambition from acquisition to discipleship, anchoring personal value in relationship to Him. Paul’s Missional Strategy: Winning People, Not Possessions Five Pauline occurrences concentrate in 1 Corinthians 9. Paul flexes every legitimate cultural posture “to win as many as possible” (1 Corinthians 9:19). Whether interacting with Jews, those under the Law, or the weak, his adaptive ministry seeks the eternal profit of human souls. The evangelistic sense reappears in Philippians 3:8 where personal loss is embraced “that I may gain Christ.” Secular accolades are counted “rubbish” when weighed against union with the Savior. Thus kerdainō becomes the vocabulary of redemptive gain. Ethical Warnings Against Mercenary Planning James 4:13 targets presumptuous merchants boasting, “We will…carry on business and make a profit.” The rebuke is not commerce itself but planning divorced from humble dependence on the Lord’s will. Acts 27:21 records Paul’s lament that the ship’s officers ignored his counsel and therefore failed “to gain” safety, highlighting practical wisdom submitted to God’s guidance. Domestic Evangelism: Winning Without a Word 1 Peter 3:1 applies the verb to marital witness: unbelieving husbands “will be won over” by the respectful conduct of their wives. Spiritual profit here is relational and gentle, achieved through observable holiness rather than argument. Historical and Pastoral Significance Early Christian writers seized on kerdainō to contrast the church’s eternal riches with Rome’s material triumphs. The verb framed martyrdom not as loss but as gain, echoing Philippians 3:8. Pastoral manuals followed Paul’s model, urging ministers to “win” both neighbor and nation through contextualized yet uncompromised proclamation. Ministry Applications Today • Stewardship: Believers are called to invest time, gifts, and finances for kingdom multiplication, ensuring that Christ, not self-interest, defines profit. Summary Across parable, proverb, epistle, and ethical instruction, kerdainō portrays a divine economy where spiritual returns eclipse worldly profit. The New Testament challenges every believer to measure success by fidelity to Christ, investment in people, and anticipation of eternal reward. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 16:26 V-ASA-3SGRK: κόσμον ὅλον κερδήσῃ τὴν δὲ NAS: a man if he gains the whole world KJV: if he shall gain the whole INT: world whole he gain and Matthew 18:15 V-AIA-2S Matthew 25:16 V-AIA-3S Matthew 25:17 V-AIA-3S Matthew 25:20 V-AIA-1S Matthew 25:22 V-AIA-1S Mark 8:36 V-ANA Luke 9:25 V-APA-NMS Acts 27:21 V-ANA 1 Corinthians 9:19 V-ASA-1S 1 Corinthians 9:20 V-ASA-1S 1 Corinthians 9:20 V-ASA-1S 1 Corinthians 9:21 V-ASA-1S 1 Corinthians 9:22 V-ASA-1S Philippians 3:8 V-ASA-1S James 4:13 V-FIA-1P 1 Peter 3:1 V-FIP-3P Strong's Greek 2770 |
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