The term "useless" in the Bible often refers to things, actions, or people that fail to fulfill their intended purpose or are deemed worthless in the sight of God. The concept of being useless is frequently contrasted with the biblical call to be fruitful and effective in one's faith and actions.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the idea of uselessness is often associated with idolatry and false worship. For example, idols are described as useless because they cannot speak, hear, or save. In Jeremiah 10:5 , idols are compared to scarecrows in a cucumber field, unable to speak or move, highlighting their ineffectiveness and futility. The prophets frequently admonished Israel for turning to these useless idols instead of relying on the living God.

The theme of uselessness also appears in the context of sacrifices and offerings. In Isaiah 1:13 , God declares, "Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me." Here, the offerings are deemed useless because they are not accompanied by genuine repentance and obedience.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of uselessness is often linked to spiritual fruitfulness and the effectiveness of one's faith. Jesus' parable of the barren fig tree in Luke 13:6-9 illustrates the expectation of fruitfulness. The tree, which fails to bear fruit, is at risk of being cut down, symbolizing the uselessness of a life that does not produce spiritual fruit.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the idea of uselessness in his letters. In Titus 3:9 , he warns against "foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the Law, because these are unprofitable and useless." Paul emphasizes that such disputes do not contribute to the edification of the church and are therefore worthless.

In Philemon 1:11 , Paul speaks of Onesimus, a former slave, who "was once useless to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me." This transformation from uselessness to usefulness is a testament to the redemptive power of the Gospel, which can change lives and restore purpose.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of uselessness serves as a warning against living a life that lacks purpose and alignment with God's will. Believers are called to be fruitful, as seen in John 15:5 , where Jesus states, "I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing." A life disconnected from Christ is ultimately unproductive and useless in the spiritual sense.

The Bible encourages believers to examine their lives and ensure that their actions, words, and faith are not rendered useless by sin, disobedience, or a lack of genuine commitment to God. The call to be useful in the kingdom of God is a call to live a life of purpose, bearing fruit that glorifies the Father.(a.) Having, or being of, no use; unserviceable; producing no good end; answering no valuable purpose; not advancing the end proposed; unprofitable; ineffectual; as, a useless garment; useless pity.889. achreioo -- to make useless
... to make useless. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: achreioo Phonetic Spelling:
(akh-ri-o'-o) Short Definition: I am good for nothing Definition: (lit: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/889.htm - 7k

890. achrestos -- useless
... useless. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: achrestos Phonetic Spelling:
(akh'-race-tos) Short Definition: unprofitable, useless Definition: unprofitable ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/890.htm - 7k

888. achreios -- useless
... useless. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: achreios Phonetic Spelling:
(akh-ri'-os) Short Definition: unprofitable, useless, unworthy Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/888.htm - 7k

3152. mataios -- vain, useless
... vain, useless. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: mataios Phonetic Spelling:
(mat'-ah-yos) Short Definition: vain, unproductive, godless Definition: vain ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3152.htm - 7k

512. anopheles -- unprofitable
... unprofitable. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: anopheles Phonetic Spelling:
(an-o-fel'-ace) Short Definition: useless, unprofitable Definition: useless ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/512.htm - 6k

3471. moraino -- to be foolish
... be foolish. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: moraino Phonetic Spelling:
(mo-rah'-ee-no) Short Definition: I make foolish, taint, make useless Definition: ( ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3471.htm - 7k

4550. sapros -- rotten, worthless
... rotten, worthless. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: sapros Phonetic Spelling:
(sap-ros') Short Definition: rotten, useless, corrupt Definition: rotten ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4550.htm - 7k

692. argos -- inactive, idle
... Word Origin from alpha (as a neg. prefix) and ergon Definition inactive, idle
NASB Word Usage careless (1), idle (4), lazy (1), useless (2). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/692.htm - 6k

3859. paradiatribe -- wrangling, constant arguing
... arguing. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: paradiatribe Phonetic Spelling:
(par-ad-ee-at-ree-bay') Short Definition: useless debate Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3859.htm - 6k

2111. euthetos -- well-placed, ie ready for use
... Word Origin from eu and tithemi Definition well-placed, ie ready for use NASB
Word Usage fit (1), useful (1), useless* (1). useful, suitable. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2111.htm - 7k

3808. lo -- not
... 1), unreliable* (1), unsearchable* (1), unsown* (1), unsparing* (1), untrained*
(1), unvented* (1), unwilling* (3), unwise* (1), useless* (1), weak (1), whether ...
/hebrew/3808.htm - 7k

2600. chinnam -- out of favor
... Word Origin from chanan Definition out of favor NASB Word Usage free (1), nothing
(4), useless (1), uselessly (1), vain (2), which cost (1), which cost me ...
/hebrew/2600.htm - 6k

5532a. sakan -- to be of use or service, benefit
... Word Usage advantage (1), ever been accustomed (1), intimately acquainted (1), nurse
(2), profits (1), steward (1), use (1), useful (1), useless* (1), yield (1 ...
/hebrew/5532a.htm - 5k

1892. hebel -- vapor, breath
... 5), delusion (2), emptily (1), emptiness (2), fleeting (2), fraud (1), futile (1),
futility (13), idols (7), mere breath (2), nothing (1), useless (1), vain (3 ...
/hebrew/1892.htm - 6k

1802a. dalah -- to draw (water)
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to draw (water) NASB Word Usage draw water
(1), draws (1), drew the water (1), lifted (1), useless (1). 1802, 1802a. ...
/hebrew/1802a.htm - 5k

8267. sheqer -- deception, disappointment, falsehood
... falsehoods (1), falsely (19), liar (1), lie (14), lies (5), lying (12), lying visions
(1), perjury* (1), slander* (1), treacherously (1), useless (1), vain (1 ...
/hebrew/8267.htm - 6k

890. boshah -- stinking or noxious weeds
... cockle. Feminine of b'osh; stink-weed or any other noxious or useless plant -- cockle.
see HEBREW b'osh. 889, 890. boshah. 891 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/890.htm - 6k

Useless Doctors
... Chapter 11. "I do Indeed Live by Preaching"; Wesley's Advice to Travelers;
Wesley and the French Prisoners Useless Doctors. Reflecting ...
//christianbookshelf.org/wesley/the journal of john wesley/useless doctors.htm

Useless Sacrifice
... SERMON XXXVI. USELESS SACRIFICE. Preached at Southsea for the Mission of
the Good Shepherd. October 1871. Isaiah 1:11-17. "To what ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxxvi useless sacrifice.htm

Preface. --It is Useless to Attempt to Benefit those who Will Not
... Book I. Section 1. Preface."It is useless to attempt to benefit those who
will not. accept help. It seems that the wish to benefit ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 1 preface it is useless.htm

Everything that is Useless or Hurtful is Rejected.
... Chapter VI."Everything that is Useless or Hurtful is Rejected. Since, therefore,
great difference of nature obtains in all animals ...
/.../chapter vi everything that is useless.htm

The Law Useless for Salvation; the Last Law of Chastity under the ...
... Discourse X."Domnina. Chapter IV."The Law Useless for Salvation; The Last
Law of Chastity Under the Figure of the Bramble. And ...
/.../chapter iv the law useless for.htm

Of Knowledge Useful and Useless
... PART FOUR. HERE BEGIN THE CHAPTERS OF CERTAIN INSTRUCTIONS AND NOTABLE SAYINGS
OF BROTHER GILES CHAPTER XIII OF KNOWLEDGE USEFUL AND USELESS. ...
/.../the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter xiii of knowledge useful.htm

How Useless is the Retirement of those who do not Give up their ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter XVI. How useless is the retirement of those who do
not give up their bad manners. Sometimes when we have been ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xvi how useless is.htm

Christ is Useless to those who Observe the Law.
... Chapter XXIX."Christ is useless to those who observe the law. "Let us glorify
God, all nations gathered together; for He has also visited us. ...
/.../chapter xxix christ is useless to.htm

The Sophistical Arts Useless.
... The Stromata, or Miscellanies: Book I Chapter VIII."The Sophistical Arts Useless.
But the art of sophistry, which the Greeks cultivated ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter viii the sophistical arts useless.htm

Useless and Philanthropic Miracles.
... Homily II. Chapter XXXIV."Useless and Philanthropic Miracles. "Those, then,
are useless signs, which you say that Simon did. But ...
/.../the clementine homilies/chapter xxxiv useless and philanthropic miracles.htm

Useless (47 Occurrences)
... unserviceable; producing no good end; answering no valuable purpose; not advancing
the end proposed; unprofitable; ineffectual; as, a useless garment; useless...
/u/useless.htm - 19k

Useful (14 Occurrences)
... Exercise for the body is not useless, but godliness is useful in every respect,
possessing, as it does, the promise of Life now and of the Life which is soon ...
/u/useful.htm - 10k

Weed (3 Occurrences)
... plant growing in cultivated ground to the injury of the crop or desired vegetation,
or to the disfigurement of the place; an unsightly, useless, or injurious ...
/w/weed.htm - 8k

Waste (668 Occurrences)
... 6. (v.) To spend unnecessarily or carelessly; to employ prodigally; to expend without
valuable result; to apply to useless purposes; to lavish vainly; to ...
/w/waste.htm - 37k

Israelites (468 Occurrences)
... so that the sons of Israel were not able to look stedfastly to the face of Moses,
because of the glory of his face -- which was being made useless, (See RSV NIV ...
/i/israelites.htm - 35k

Discussions (11 Occurrences)
... Romans 1:21 For when they had come to know God, they did not give Him glory as God
nor render Him thanks, but they became absorbed in useless discussions, and ...
/d/discussions.htm - 9k

Prune (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To lop or cut off the superfluous parts, branches, or shoots of; to clear
of useless material; to shape or smooth by trimming; to trim: as, to prune ...
/p/prune.htm - 7k

Render (95 Occurrences)
... said to the vinedresser, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this
fig-tree and find none: cut it down; why does it also render the ground useless...
/r/render.htm - 36k

Idle (33 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (superl.) of no account; useless; vain; trifling;
unprofitable; thoughtless; silly; barren. 2. (superl ...
/i/idle.htm - 18k

Elisha (70 Occurrences)
... that they threw stones, and the rabbis tell how Elisha was himself punished, but
these attempts to tone down the affair are uncalled for and useless (2 Kings 2 ...
/e/elisha.htm - 61k

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Useless: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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