Practical Excellence: χρήσιμος (Strong’s G5539: chrēsimos) Empowers Kingdom Service

Strong’s G5539: From χράομαι (chraomai), meaning “to use.” Describes something serviceable, profitable, or beneficial for a particular purpose. In Biblical context, emphasizes practical usefulness in service to God and others, particularly in ministry and discipleship contexts.

U- Unveiling the Word

χρήσιμος encapsulates the concept of practical usefulness and fitness for service. This adjective goes beyond mere utility to convey the idea of something or someone being genuinely beneficial and profitable in accomplishing God’s purposes. In 2 Timothy, Paul employs this term to emphasize the importance of being useful in the Lord’s service, particularly in the context of faithful ministry. The early church understood this word as a call to practical effectiveness in advancing the Kingdom of God. Today, it challenges believers to consider how they can be most useful in serving the Messiah and His church, reminding us that spiritual maturity should result in practical service.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: χρήσιμος, chrēsimos, /khrēˈsimos/
• Pronunciation: “kray-SEE-mos”
• Part of Speech: Adjective

Etymology:

• Root: χράομαι (chraomai) – “to use”
• Suffix: -ιμος (-imos) – forms adjectives indicating capability or fitness
• Combined meaning: fit for use, serviceable

D – Defining Meanings

• Useful, serviceable
• Profitable, beneficial
• Fit for purpose

For compound words:
Not a compound word, but derived from χράομαι with the -ιμος suffix indicating capability

Translation Options:

• “Useful” – Emphasizes practical functionality
• “Beneficial” – Highlights positive impact
• “Serviceable” – Stresses fitness for purpose

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ὠφέλιμος (ōphelimos) /ō-fel’-i-mos/ – beneficial, profitable See G5624
• εὔχρηστος (euchrēstos) /yoo’-khrays-tos/ – very useful See G2173
• ἄχρηστος (achrēstos) /akh’-rays-tos/ – useless See G890

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Adjective Features:

• Case: Nominative, Accusative, Genitive, Dative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Masculine, Feminine, Neuter
• Declension: Second declension

Example morphological forms:

• Masculine nominative singular: χρήσιμος
• Feminine nominative singular: χρησίμη
• Neuter nominative singular: χρήσιμον

Related words:

• Verb form: χράομαι (to use)
• Noun form: χρῆσις (use, employment)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

The lexical evidence reveals χρήσιμος as a term emphasizing practical usefulness with purpose. BDAG emphasizes its connection to serviceability in ministry contexts. Thayer’s highlights its relation to χράομαι, underscoring the active nature of its usefulness. LSJ provides evidence of secular usage in classical Greek, where it often described tools or individuals fit for specific tasks. Vine’s notes its singular New Testament occurrence in 2 Timothy, while Moulton and Milligan document its common usage in papyri for describing serviceable items or capable individuals. This combined insight presents χρήσιμος as a term denoting practical effectiveness in service, particularly relevant to ministry contexts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:

2 Timothy 2:14 “Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit [χρήσιμος], but to the subverting of the hearers.”

Additional References:
This is the only occurrence in the New Testament.

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

χρήσιμος represents a profound call to practical effectiveness in Kingdom service. This word reminds us that our faith should manifest in tangible usefulness for God’s purposes. It speaks to the heart of discipleship – being transformed not just in knowledge but in practical service. The good news of King Jesus is that He doesn’t just save us but makes us useful vessels for His glory. Through His Spirit, we are equipped and empowered to be genuinely beneficial in advancing His Kingdom, serving others, and glorifying Him through practical ministry.

D – Did You Know?

• χρήσιμος appears only once in the New Testament but over 150 times in classical Greek literature
• The word was commonly used in ancient business documents to describe valuable employees
• Its root verb χράομαι is related to the word charisma, suggesting a connection between usefulness and spiritual gifting

Strong’s G5539: From χράομαι (chraomai), meaning “to use.” Describes something serviceable, profitable, or beneficial for a particular purpose. In Biblical context, emphasizes practical usefulness in service to God and others, particularly in ministry and discipleship contexts.

Part of speech: Adjective

Tags: usefulness, service, ministry, practical faith, discipleship, effectiveness, kingdom work, spiritual gifts, service to God, beneficial​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​