Lexical Summary sumphero: To bring together, to be profitable, to be advantageous, to benefit. Original Word: συμφέρω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance bring together, be expedient, be profitable for.From sun and phero (including its alternate); to bear together (contribute), i.e. (literally) to collect, or (figuratively) to conduce; especially (neuter participle as a noun) advantage -- be better for, bring together, be expedient (for), be good, (be) profit(-able for). see GREEK sun see GREEK phero HELPS Word-studies 4851 symphérō (from 4862 /sýn, "together with" and 5342 /phérō, "bring, carry") – properly, combine in a way that brings a profit (gain), especially by a "concurrence of circumstances" that results in benefit or advancement (M. Vincent). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4851: συμφέρωσυμφέρω; 1 aorist participle συνενέγκαντες (Acts 19:19); from (Homer (in middle)), Aeschylus, Herodotus down; to bear or bring together (Latinconfero), i. e. 1. with a reference to the object, to bring together: τί, Acts 19:19. 2. with a reference to the subject, "to bear together or at the same time; to carry with other's; to collect or contribute in order to help, hence, to help, be profitable, be expedient"; συμφέρει, it is expedient, profitable, and in the same sense with a neuter plural: with the subject πάντα, 1 Corinthians 6:12; 1 Corinthians 10:23; τί τίνι, 2 Corinthians 8:10; with an infinitive of the object (as in Greek writings), Matthew 19:10; 2 Corinthians 12:1 (where L T Tr WH have συμφέρον); with the accusative and infinitive John 18:14; συμφέρει τίνι followed by ἵνα (see ἵνα, II. 2c. (Buttmann, § 139, 45; Winer's Grammar, 337 (316))), Matthew 5:29; Matthew 18:6; John 11:50; John 16:7. τό συμφέρον, that which is profitable (Sophocles, Euripides, Xenophon, Demosthenes, others): 1 Corinthians 12:7; plural (Plato, de rep. 1, p. 341 e.), Acts 20:20; advantage, profit, Hebrews 12:10; τό ... σύμφορον τίνος (often in Greek writings) the advantage of one, one's profit, 1 Corinthians 7:35; 1 Corinthians 10:33 (in both passaagaes, L T Tr WH read σύμφορον, which see). The verb carries the core idea of something “proving advantageous,” “working for good,” or “bringing together for benefit.” In Septuagint usage it often translates verbs of profit or advantage (for example, the Hebrew yāthal in Job 15:3), preparing Jewish readers to hear the term as a moral-spiritual calculus concerned with God-defined good rather than mere self-interest. Occurrences and Narrative Flow in the Gospels 1. Matthew 5:29-30 sets the tone: “It is better for you (συμφέρει) that one of your members should perish than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.” Jesus frames radical self-denial as a true advantage measured against eternal loss. Pauline Epistles: Corporate Advantage as Governing Principle • 1 Corinthians 6:12; 10:23 pair “all things are lawful” with “not all things are advantageous,” establishing the ethic that liberty submits to edification. Hebrews and Lukan Usage • Hebrews 12:10 contrasts earthly fathers who discipline “as seemed best to them” with God who disciplines “for our good, so that we may share in His holiness.” Key Doctrinal Themes • Redemptive Profit: Caiaphas’s utilitarian statement is sovereignly turned to proclaim substitutionary atonement (John 11:50). Historical and Translational Notes Early Latin versions render the verb with expedit, giving English “expedient” its theological nuance. Reformers often stressed “profitable” (Geneva Bible), inheriting Paul’s vocabulary for edification. Patristic writers (e.g., Chrysostom on 1 Corinthians 10) employed the term to argue against self-indulgent liberty in favor of communal upbuilding. Ministry Applications • Decision-Making: Leaders weigh choices by what most advances God’s purposes, not personal ease. Summary Insight Across the New Testament, Strong’s 4851 challenges believers to redefine “profit.” True advantage is whatever magnifies Christ, nurtures holiness, and builds up His people—even when that path is costly in the short term. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 5:29 V-PIA-3SGRK: ἀπὸ σοῦ συμφέρει γάρ σοι NAS: it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose KJV: for it is profitable for thee INT: from you it is better indeed for you Matthew 5:30 V-PIA-3S Matthew 18:6 V-PIA-3S Matthew 19:10 V-PIA-3S John 11:50 V-PIA-3S John 16:7 V-PIA-3S John 18:14 V-PIA-3S Acts 19:19 V-APA-NMP Acts 20:20 V-PPA-GNP 1 Corinthians 6:12 V-PIA-3S 1 Corinthians 7:35 Adj-ANS 1 Corinthians 10:23 V-PIA-3S 1 Corinthians 10:33 Adj-ANS 1 Corinthians 12:7 V-PPA-ANS 2 Corinthians 8:10 V-PIA-3S 2 Corinthians 12:1 V-PPA-ANS Hebrews 12:10 V-PPA-ANS Strong's Greek 4851 |
    |