888. achreios

Lexicon

achreios: Unprofitable, useless, worthless

Original Word: ἀχρεῖος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: achreios
Pronunciation: ah-khri'-os
Phonetic Spelling: (akh-ri'-os)
Definition: Unprofitable, useless, worthless
Meaning: unprofitable, useless, unworthy.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

unprofitable.

From a (as a negative particle) and a derivative of chre (compare chreia); useless, i.e. (euphemistically) unmeritorious -- unprofitable.

see GREEK a

see GREEK chre

see GREEK chreia

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 888 axreíos – properly, unneeded, describing behavior that (literally) "lacks utility (usefulness)." See 890 (axrēstos).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from alpha (as a neg. prefix) and chreios (useful)
Definition
useless
NASB Translation
unworthy (1), worthless (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 888: ἀχρεῖος

ἀχρεῖος, ἀχρεῖον (χρεῖος useful), useless, good for nothing: Matthew 25:30 (δοῦλος, cf. Plato, Alc. 1:17, p. 122 b. τῶν οἰκετῶν τόν ἀχρειοτατον); by an hyperbole of pious modesty in Luke 17:10 'the servant' calls himself ἀχρεῖον, because, although he has done all, yet he has done nothing except what he ought to have done; accordingly he possesses no merit, and could only claim to be called 'profitable,' should he do more than what he is bound to do; cf. Bengel, at the passage. (Often in Greek writings from Homer down; Xenophon, mem. 1, 2, 54 ἀχρεῖον καί ἀνωφελές. The Sept. 2 Samuel 6:22 equivalent to שָׁפָל low, base.) (Synonyms: cf. Tittmann ii., p. 11f; Ellicott on Philemon 1:11.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the negative particle ἀ- (a-, "not") and χρή (chre, "useful" or "profitable").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ἀχρεῖος, similar concepts can be found in Hebrew words that convey worthlessness or lack of profit, such as בְּלִיַּעַל (beliyya'al, Strong's Hebrew 1100), which is often used to describe worthlessness or wickedness in the Old Testament.

Usage: The term ἀχρεῖος is used in the New Testament to describe something or someone that is without value or utility, often in a moral or spiritual sense.

Context: The Greek word ἀχρεῖος appears in the New Testament in contexts that emphasize the lack of utility or worthiness, particularly in relation to service or moral standing. It is used to describe individuals who fail to meet the expectations or standards set by God, often in parables or teachings of Jesus.

In the Berean Standard Bible, ἀχρεῖος is notably used in the Parable of the Unworthy Servant in Luke 17:10: "So you also, when you have done everything commanded you, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’" Here, the term underscores the humility and recognition of one's position before God, acknowledging that even when fulfilling all commands, one remains unworthy of special merit.

The concept of being ἀχρεῖος is tied to the understanding of human limitations and the need for divine grace. It serves as a reminder of the inherent insufficiency of human efforts apart from God's enabling power and grace. This term challenges believers to maintain a posture of humility and dependence on God, recognizing that true worth and usefulness come from Him alone.

Forms and Transliterations

αχρειοι αχρείοί ἀχρεῖοί αχρειον αχρείον ἀχρεῖον άχρειος achreioi achreîoí achreion achreîon

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 25:30 Adj-AMS
GRK: καὶ τὸν ἀχρεῖον δοῦλον ἐκβάλετε
NAS: Throw out the worthless slave
KJV: cast ye the unprofitable servant
INT: And the worthless servant cast you out

Luke 17:10 Adj-NMP
GRK: ὅτι Δοῦλοι ἀχρεῖοί ἐσμεν ὃ
NAS: you, say, 'We are unworthy slaves;
KJV: We are unprofitable servants:
INT: servants unworthy are we that which

Strong's Greek 888
2 Occurrences

ἀχρεῖοί — 1 Occ.
ἀχρεῖον — 1 Occ.