κέρδος (G2771) — Greek Lexicon

κέρδος

kérdos

G2771 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Material gain, profit, or advantage—particularly of a financial or utilitarian nature. In various contexts, refers to the act or result of acquiring something advantageous, most commonly wealth or profit, but also broadly indicating any form of benefit or increase (material or metaphorical) acquired through effort, trade, or other means. Extended senses may include advantageous outcomes or successes.

Semantic Range

gain, profit (especially financial), advantage, beneficial outcome, material benefit, acquisition, success

Root / Etymology

Etymology uncertain. Possibly connected with the Greek verb κερδαίνω (kerdainō, 'to gain, profit'), but no clear Indo-European root is established; may be a borrowing or word of pre-Greek origin.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek sources, κέρδος refers generically to gain or profit, typically of a tangible or financial nature. It is frequently used in commercial, legal, and practical contexts to describe material advantage, acquisition of wealth, or profitable outcomes. In the Septuagint and New Testament, κέρδος retains this basic meaning, often associated with monetary profit or unlawful gain, but may also extend metaphorically to non-material advantages. In New Testament usage, particularly in Paul's letters (e.g., Philippians 3:7), it is sometimes contrasted with loss in discussions of values and priorities. The word does not inherently imply 'dishonest' gain, but context may specify profit-seeking that is ethically questionable. English translations sometimes use 'gain,' 'profit,' or (less accurately) 'lucre,' but none perfectly capture the range from neutral commercial profit to more abstract personal advantage.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain affinity; gain (pecuniary or genitive case):--gain, lucre.

Root Family

κέρδος (kerdos) — gain, profit, advantage, material benefit

Root κερδ- to gain, to profit, to benefit

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G2771-01`	κέρδη	kerde	`N NOM N PL`	gain	profits	profits	1
`G2771-03`	κέρδους	kerdous	`N GEN N SG`	lucre	of profit	profit	1
`G2771-02`	κέρδος	kerdos	`N NOM N SG`	gain	material gain	gain	1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G2771-02`	Philippians 1:21	κέρδος	kerdos	`N NOM N SG`	gain	material gain	gain
`G2771-01`	Philippians 3:7	κέρδη	kerde	`N NOM N PL`	gain	profits	profits
`G2771-03`	Titus 1:11	κέρδους	kerdous	`N GEN N SG`	lucre	of profit	profit

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