Luke 9:25 kjv

For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

Luke 9:25 nkjv

For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?

Luke 9:25 niv

What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?

Luke 9:25 esv

For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?

Luke 9:25 nlt

And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?

Luke 9 verses

Luke 9 25 Meaning

Luke 9:25 presents a rhetorical question from Jesus, designed to highlight the ultimate worth of a person's eternal existence (or "self") over any possible material, power, or status gains in this temporal world. It asserts that to achieve worldly success or gain at the expense of one's true self, spiritual standing, or eternal destiny is not a profit but an incomprehensible and irredeemable loss. It emphasizes that ultimate value lies in one's relationship with God and one's eternal soul, which far surpasses any earthly treasure.

Luke 9 25 Context

Luke 9:25 stands as a profound rhetorical question within Jesus' teachings on true discipleship, immediately following His challenging call in Luke 9:23-24. In these verses, Jesus states that following Him requires self-denial, daily cross-bearing, and being willing to "lose one's life" for His sake in order to "save it." Verse 25 then serves as the ultimate justification and illustration of this demanding principle. It explains why denying oneself and prioritizing Jesus is logical and necessary: because the alternative (gaining the world) leads to the worst possible outcome – losing oneself or being spiritually ruined.

Historically, this message confronted a society deeply embedded in the pursuit of wealth, status, and worldly power, common among both the Roman rulers and some Jewish leaders. It challenged prevailing cultural values that equated success with material accumulation. The emphasis on "losing oneself" spoke directly to a polemic against the idolatry of self-preservation and the pervasive human tendency to prioritize temporary, visible gains over eternal, invisible realities.

Luke 9 25 Word Analysis

• For what (γὰρ τί - gar ti): "For" (γὰρ) indicates a causal link or explanation, showing that this verse provides the reason or consequence of the preceding statements about discipleship (Luke 9:23-24). "What" (τί) sets up a rhetorical question, designed to evoke a self-evident answer: absolutely no profit. It compels the hearer to consider the logical absurdity of such an exchange.

• is a man profited (ὠφελεῖται ἄνθρωπον - ōpheleitai anthrōpon):

  • ὠφελεῖται (ōpheleitai): From ōpheleō, meaning "to be useful," "to benefit," "to gain an advantage." The verb is passive, indicating the man is the recipient of the profit or loss. Here, it refers to ultimate, lasting benefit or advantage, not just temporal or material gain.
  • ἄνθρωπον (anthrōpon): "A man," "a human being." This term is general, applying universally to anyone and everyone.

• if he gain (κερδήσας - kerdēsas): From kerdainō, meaning "to acquire," "to win," "to make a profit," "to get gain." It implies an active effort in accumulating or securing something. It suggests that such worldly gain is not just received, but pursued.

• the whole world (τὸν κόσμον ὅλον - ton kosmon holon):

  • κόσμον (kosmon): "World." In this context, kosmos refers not merely to the physical earth or its inhabitants, but predominantly to the structured system of human society and values alienated from God, often associated with material wealth, power, prestige, and earthly desires. It represents everything apart from God that people strive for.
  • ὅλον (holon): "Whole," "entire," "complete." The inclusion of holon emphasizes the absolute totality: gaining every conceivable earthly thing, every empire, every fortune, every recognition.

• and lose (ἀπολέσας - apolesas): From apollymi, meaning "to destroy," "to perish," "to lose," "to ruin." This is the direct opposite of "gain" (κερδήσας) and signifies utter ruin or forfeiture.

• himself (ἑαυτὸν - heauton): "His own self." In the synoptic parallels (Matthew 16:26 and Mark 8:36), the word used is psychē (ψυχὴν), meaning "soul" or "life." While Luke uses heauton here, the spiritual context and parallels confirm that it refers to one's entire being, one's innermost core, identity, spiritual existence, and eternal destiny. Losing "himself" means forfeiture of eternal life and spiritual ruin.

• or be cast away (ἢ ζημιωθεὶς - ē zēmiōtheis):

  • ἢ (ē): "Or," presenting an alternative phrasing that reinforces the prior point.
  • ζημιωθεὶς (zēmiōtheis): From zēmioō, meaning "to suffer loss," "to incur damage," "to forfeit," "to be penalized." It can have connotations of financial loss or suffering punitive damage. In this spiritual context, it strongly implies being disqualified, rejected, or ruined in an ultimate sense, especially at the final judgment or experiencing spiritual shipwreck. This phrase uniquely in Luke provides a clear sense of condemnation or irreparable harm, further clarifying what "losing himself" entails in terms of eternal consequences.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "For what is a man profited": This phrase sets up a stark comparison of values. It's a foundational ethical question that challenges human intuition, which often measures profit by what can be seen and touched.
• "if he gain the whole world, and lose himself": This juxtaposes the maximum possible earthly acquisition ("the whole world") against the catastrophic, absolute loss of one's intrinsic being or eternal life ("lose himself"). The rhetorical power lies in the extreme contrast. No amount of temporary gain can compensate for permanent, existential loss.
• "or be cast away": Luke's addition of "or be cast away" intensifies the meaning. While "lose himself" could be interpreted broadly, "be cast away" (ζημιωθεὶς) implies rejection, ultimate forfeiture, or condemnation at a decisive point, suggesting eternal exclusion from God's presence, underscoring the irreversible and severe consequence.

Luke 9 25 Bonus Section

The immediate audience of this teaching included not only the twelve disciples but also "the crowd" (Lk 9:23). This indicates Jesus' intent for this truth to be understood by all, highlighting the universal stakes of eternal destiny. The rhetorical question format ("For what...?") is a masterful teaching device, inviting self-reflection and personal conviction rather than simply delivering a dogmatic statement. It forces individuals to grapple with their own priorities. This verse also serves as a sharp contrast to Satan's temptation of Jesus in Luke 4:5-8, where Satan offers Jesus "all the kingdoms of the world" in exchange for worship. Jesus' rejection of that offer perfectly exemplifies the truth of Luke 9:25 – the "world" and its glory are not worth the forfeiture of one's relationship with God.

Luke 9 25 Commentary

Luke 9:25 delivers one of Jesus' most potent and probing questions about eternal values. It exposes the false premise that temporal success, no matter how grand, can outweigh eternal spiritual well-being. The "world" here signifies not the physical earth, but the corrupt system of human values that prioritize material gain, power, and prestige over righteousness and God's Kingdom. To "gain the whole world" means to achieve ultimate earthly success and acquire all that society esteems as valuable. Yet, even this immense, unimaginable gain is utterly worthless if, in the process, one "loses himself" or "is cast away."

"Losing himself" directly refers to the forfeit of one's soul, eternal life, or ultimate spiritual identity and destiny. It implies separation from God and spiritual ruin. The unique phrase "be cast away" in Luke underscores a decisive, negative judgment or a final, irreversible spiritual shipwreck, highlighting the ultimate penalty for valuing the temporary over the eternal. This verse calls disciples to a radical re-evaluation of what truly constitutes "profit" and "loss," demanding that eternal life and relationship with Christ be prioritized above all else.

This teaching resonates deeply:

• Example 1: A businessman gains immense wealth and power but sacrifices his family, integrity, and faith in the process. From Jesus' perspective, this is a profound loss.
• Example 2: An individual dedicates their entire life to fame and adoration, achieving global recognition. Yet, if this pursuit leads to spiritual emptiness or rebellion against God, the cost is tragically high.
• Example 3: Someone fears social disapproval or material loss so much that they deny their faith or refuse to follow Christ's commands. While avoiding earthly loss, they incur spiritual forfeiture.