5539. chrésimos
Lexical Summary
chrésimos: Useful, profitable, beneficial

Original Word: χρήσιμος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: chrésimos
Pronunciation: khray'-see-mos
Phonetic Spelling: (khray'-see-mos)
KJV: profit
Word Origin: [from G5540 (χρῆσις - function)]

1. serviceable

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
profit.

From chresis; serviceable -- profit.

see GREEK chresis

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from chraomai
Definition
useful
NASB Translation
useless* (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 5539: χρήσιμος

χρήσιμος, χρησιμη, χρήσιμον (χράομαι), first in Theognis, 406, fit for use, useful: 2 Timothy 2:14.

Topical Lexicon
Semantic Range and Theological Idea

The term conveys what brings genuine advantage, benefit, or service. Scripture regularly measures words, deeds, and doctrines by whether they build up or tear down (Ephesians 4:29; 1 Corinthians 10:23). The single New Testament occurrence concentrates that principle into Paul’s warning that certain conversations possess “nothing useful” in them.

Old Testament Roots of Usefulness

Hebrew vocabulary behind the Septuagint often contrasts the profitable with the pointless. Isaiah 41:24 calls idols “less than nothing… your work is utterly worthless.” Proverbs repeatedly commends speech and conduct that are “profitable” (Proverbs 16:24; Proverbs 27:9). This background trains the mind of the apostle: divine revelation has always distinguished what furthers God’s purposes from what frustrates them.

Immediate Context: 2 Timothy 2:14

“Remind them of these things and solemnly charge them before God not to quarrel about words; this is useful for nothing and leads only to the ruin of the hearers.”

Paul mentors Timothy amid false teachers who thrived on speculative word-wars. The apostle labels such disputes as entirely lacking usefulness. Their end-product is “ruin” (katastrophē)—a spiritual demolition of listeners. By choosing a term meaning practical benefit rather than theoretical correctness, Paul exposes the barren outcome of the controversy: no sinner rescued, no saint strengthened, no church built.

Contrast with Worthless Controversy

Scripture does not discourage rigorous study; it condemns discussion divorced from obedience and love. Acts 17:11 praises Bereans for examining the Scriptures daily. Yet Titus faces “foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless” (Titus 3:9). The profitable conversation is gospel-centered, seasonable, and oriented toward edification (Colossians 4:6).

Relationship to Other Pauline Vocabulary

Paul elsewhere employs “beneficial” (ōphelimos) to describe Scripture itself (2 Timothy 3:16) and godliness (1 Timothy 4:8). Whereas ōphelimos highlights inherent value, the present word accents practical serviceability. Together they reveal the apostle’s two-fold test: Does the subject possess intrinsic truth? Does it produce concrete good? Both are demanded in faithful ministry.

Historical and Cultural Setting

In wider Greek literature the word described useful tools, medicines, or civic contributions. Stoic philosophers adopted it for teachings that improved the soul. Paul baptizes the cultural idea into gospel ministry: only doctrine grounded in the risen Christ (2 Timothy 2:8) can prove lastingly useful. Secular wisdom, however polished, ultimately fails this test (1 Corinthians 1:20).

Implications for Teaching and Discipleship

1. Curriculum—Church instruction must aim for transformation, not information alone.
2. Speech—Private conversation, social media posts, and pulpit preaching stand under the “usefulness” criterion. Believers ask, “Will this serve my brother’s faith?”
3. Conflict—At times defenders of truth must engage error (Jude 3). The line between necessary apologetics and barren quarrels is drawn by the outcome: restoration and clarity versus division and ruin.

Pastoral Evaluation Grid

Useful: Exposition of Scripture, prayer, acts of mercy, corrective discipline (Hebrews 10:24).

Useless: Speculations, endless debates, slander, divisive slogans (1 Timothy 1:4-6).

Concluding Perspective

The Spirit who inspired Scripture also gauges its application. Under His gaze every word either advances or hinders the mission of Christ. Strong’s Greek 5539 invites believers to labor for the kind of speech and service that eternity will declare “useful.”

Forms and Transliterations
χρήσιμοι χρησίμοις χρησιμον χρήσιμον χρήσιμόν χρησίμων chresimon chrēsimon chrḗsimon
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
2 Timothy 2:14 Adj-ANS
GRK: ἐπ' οὐδὲν χρήσιμον ἐπὶ καταστροφῇ
KJV: to no profit, [but] to the subverting
INT: for nothing profitable to subversion

Strong's Greek 5539
1 Occurrence


χρήσιμον — 1 Occ.

5538
Top of Page
Top of Page