κερδαίνω (G2770) — Greek Lexicon

κερδαίνω

kerdaínō

G2770 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To gain, acquire, or profit by effort, enterprise, or advantage—either in material, social, or figurative senses. In the core sense, to obtain something additional to one’s existing state or possessions. Also used in extended (figurative) contexts for gaining people (such as winning over others), ethical/spiritual advancement, or achieving advantage in various domains.

Semantic Range

to gain (materially or otherwise), to profit, to acquire advantage, to win over (a person or group), to achieve benefit, to obtain or secure something (tangible or intangible); to obtain spiritual or moral benefit; to accomplish (in the sense of gaining an objective)

Root / Etymology

Derived from the noun κέρδος, meaning 'gain,' 'profit,' or 'advantage,' itself of uncertain pre-Greek origin. The verb κερδαίνω is formed with the verbal suffix -αίνω, a common productive formation for verbalizing nouns.

Historical & Contextual Notes

*Classical Greek:* In earlier Greek (Herodotus, Plato), κερδαίνω primarily denoted the act of making a profit or benefiting from dealings, especially in commerce or competition. The term could be used neutrally (financially advantageous action) or pejoratively (cunning opportunism). *Koine (Hellenistic) & LXX:* In the Septuagint (LXX), κερδαίνω often translates Hebrew terms for gaining (e.g., בָּצַע), both in literal financial contexts and metaphorically (Prov 11:30, 'winning souls'). Moral overtones could be attached depending on context. *New Testament:* The verb appears with both material and non-material referents. It can mean literal gain (Mt 16:26: "What does it profit/[27;21mκερδαίνω[27;0m if a person gains the whole world?") or figurative (e.g., 1 Cor 9:19-22, Paul 'winning' [gaining] others). English translations often use "gain," "win," or "profit," but these may obscure broader nuances such as persuasive success, spiritual benefit, or relational acquisition. *Cognate/Contrast:* κερδαίνω (to gain profit, or win over) contrasts with ζημιόω (to lose, forfeit, suffer loss). Related noun: κέρδος (profit, gain). Figurative uses can border on ethical or religious meaning—the verb need not imply materialistic self-interest. *Modern translations* often render κερδαίνω narrowly as 'gain' or 'win,' but Koine usage allows for a broad spectrum, including social, spiritual, or persuasive advancement.

Translation Consistency

primary "gain" 17 occurrences

“Gain” is the most natural, flexible English verb that covers the full SILEX range—material profit, acquiring advantage, winning over people, and achieving spiritual or moral benefit. It matches common New Testament usage and easily yields the necessary inflected forms (gain, gained, may gain, etc.), ensuring consistent, natural-sounding renderings across all forms of G2770.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from κέρδος; to gain (literally or figuratively):--(get) gain, win.

Root Family

κερδ- (kerdaínō) — to gain, to profit, to obtain

Root κερδ- to gain, to profit, to obtain

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
G2771	κέρδος	profits

Word Forms

10 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G2770-08`	κερδήσω	kerdeso	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 1P SG`	I might gain	I might gain	I might gain	5
`G2770-01`	ἐκέρδησα	ekerdesa	`V AOR ACT IND 1P SG`	I have gained	I gained	I gained	2
`G2770-03`	ἐκέρδησεν	ekerdesen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	gained	he gained	he gained	2
`G2770-07`	κερδήσῃ	kerdese	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG`	he gains	may gain	may gain	2
`G2770-02`	ἐκέρδησας	ekerdesas	`V AOR ACT IND 2P SG`	you have gained	you gained	you gained	1
`G2770-04`	κερδάνω	kerdano	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 1P SG`	I might win	that I might gain	I might gain	1
`G2770-05`	κερδῆσαί	kerdesai	`V AOR ACT INF`	to gain	to gain	to gain	1
`G2770-06`	κερδήσας	kerdesas	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	having gained	having gained	having gained	1
`G2770-09`	κερδήσομεν	kerdesomen	`V FUT ACT IND 1P PL`	make a profit	we will gain	we will gain	1
`G2770-10`	κερδηθήσονται	kerdethesontai	`V FUT PASS IND 3P PL`	they may be won	they will be gained	they may be gained	1

Occurrences in Scripture

17 occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G2770-07`	Matthew 16:26	κερδήσῃ	kerdese	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG`	he gains	may gain	may gain
`G2770-02`	Matthew 18:15	ἐκέρδησας	ekerdesas	`V AOR ACT IND 2P SG`	you have gained	you gained	you gained
`G2770-03`	Matthew 25:16	ἐκέρδησεν	ekerdesen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	gained	he gained	he gained
`G2770-03`	Matthew 25:17	ἐκέρδησεν	ekerdesen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	gained	he gained	he gained
`G2770-01`	Matthew 25:20	ἐκέρδησα	ekerdesa	`V AOR ACT IND 1P SG`	I have gained	I gained	I gained
`G2770-01`	Matthew 25:22	ἐκέρδησα	ekerdesa	`V AOR ACT IND 1P SG`	I have gained	I gained	I gained
`G2770-07`	Mark 8:36	κερδήσῃ	kerdese	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG`	to gain	may gain	may gain
`G2770-06`	Luke 9:25	κερδήσας	kerdesas	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	having gained	having gained	having gained
`G2770-05`	Acts 27:21	κερδῆσαί	kerdesai	`V AOR ACT INF`	to gain	to gain	to gain
`G2770-08`	1 Corinthians 9:19	κερδήσω	kerdeso	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 1P SG`	I might gain	I might gain	I might gain
`G2770-08`	1 Corinthians 9:20	κερδήσω	kerdeso	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 1P SG`	I might win	I might gain	I might gain
`G2770-08`	1 Corinthians 9:20	κερδήσω	kerdeso-2	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 1P SG`	I might win	I might gain	I might gain
`G2770-04`	1 Corinthians 9:21	κερδάνω	kerdano	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 1P SG`	I might win	that I might gain	I might gain
`G2770-08`	1 Corinthians 9:22	κερδήσω	kerdeso	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 1P SG`	I might gain	I might gain	I might gain
`G2770-08`	Philippians 3:8	κερδήσω	kerdeso	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 1P SG`	I may gain	I might gain	I might gain
`G2770-09`	James 4:13	κερδήσομεν	kerdesomen	`V FUT ACT IND 1P PL`	make a profit	we will gain	we will gain
`G2770-10`	1 Peter 3:1	κερδηθήσονται	kerdethesontai	`V FUT PASS IND 3P PL`	they may be won	they will be gained	they may be gained

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