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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 16:26 What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/16-26.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/40_Mat_16_26.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 16:26 - Take Up Your Cross" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? 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Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? <a href="/nlt/matthew/16.htm">New Living Translation</a> And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? <a href="/esv/matthew/16.htm">English Standard Version</a> For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? <a href="/bsb/matthew/16.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? <a href="/blb/matthew/16.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his soul? Or what will a man give as an exchange for his soul? <a href="/kjv/matthew/16.htm">King James Bible</a> For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? <a href="/nkjv/matthew/16.htm">New King James Version</a> For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? <a href="/nasb_/matthew/16.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> For what good will it do a person if he gains the whole world, but forfeits his soul? Or what will a person give in exchange for his soul? <a href="/nasb/matthew/16.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? <a href="/nasb77/matthew/16.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “For what will a man be profited, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? <a href="/lsb/matthew/16.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? <a href="/amp/matthew/16.htm">Amplified Bible</a> For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world [wealth, fame, success], but forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? <a href="/csb/matthew/16.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> For what will it benefit someone if he gains the whole world yet loses his life? Or what will anyone give in exchange for his life? <a href="/hcsb/matthew/16.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> What will it benefit a man if he gains the whole world yet loses his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life? <a href="/asv/matthew/16.htm">American Standard Version</a> For what shall a man be profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and forfeit his life? or what shall a man give in exchange for his life? <a href="/cev/matthew/16.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> What will you gain, if you own the whole world but destroy yourself? What would you give to get back your soul? <a href="/erv/matthew/16.htm">English Revised Version</a> For what shall a man be profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and forfeit his life? or what shall a man give in exchange for his life? <a href="/gwt/matthew/16.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> What good will it do for people to win the whole world and lose their lives? Or what will a person give in exchange for life? <a href="/gnt/matthew/16.htm">Good News Translation</a> Will you gain anything if you win the whole world but lose your life? Of course not! There is nothing you can give to regain your life. <a href="/isv/matthew/16.htm">International Standard Version</a> because what profit will a person have if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what can a person give in exchange for his life? <a href="/msb/matthew/16.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? <a href="/net/matthew/16.htm">NET Bible</a> For what does it benefit a person if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life? Or what can a person give in exchange for his life? <a href="/nheb/matthew/16.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> For what will it profit a person, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his life? Or what will a person give in exchange for his life? <a href="/wbt/matthew/16.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? <a href="/wey/matthew/16.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Why, what benefit will it be to a man if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give to buy back his life? <a href="/web/matthew/16.htm">World English Bible</a> For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life? <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/16.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> for what is a man profited if he may gain the whole world, but of his life suffer loss? Or what will a man give as an exchange for his life? <a href="/blb/matthew/16.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his soul? Or what will a man give as an exchange for his soul? <a href="/ylt/matthew/16.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> for what is a man profited if he may gain the whole world, but of his life suffer loss? or what shall a man give as an exchange for his life? <a href="/slt/matthew/16.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For what is a man profited, if he should gain the whole world, and injure his soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/16.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> For what doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his own soul? Or what exchange shall a man give for his soul? <a href="/cpdv/matthew/16.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> For how does it benefit a man, if he gains the whole world, yet truly suffers damage to his soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? <a href="/nabre/matthew/16.htm">New American Bible</a> What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/16.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/16.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For how will a man be benefited, if he should gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/16.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “For what does a person benefit if he gains the whole world and lacks his soul? Or what will a person give to regain his soul?<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/16.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> For what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, but lose his own life? Or, what will a man give as the ransom of his life? <a href="/godbey/matthew/16.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>For what is a man profited, if he may gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/16.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> For what would a man be advantaged, though he could gain the whole world, if he should suffer the loss of his soul? or what will a man give as the ransom for his soul? <a href="/mace/matthew/16.htm">Mace New Testament</a> what advantage is it to a man to gain the whole world at the price of his life? or what would not a man pay down to preserve his life? <a href="/wey/matthew/16.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Why, what benefit will it be to a man if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give to buy back his life? <a href="/worrell/matthew/16.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>for what will a man be profited, if he gain the whole world, and suffer damage as to his soul? or what will a man give as an exchange for his soul?<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/16.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>For what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and lose his <Fr>own<FR> soul? or what shall a man give <Fr>as<FR> a ransom for his soul?<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/16-26.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=4770" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/16.htm">Take Up Your Cross</a> …25For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26<a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason."></a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: ti (IPro-ANS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">What</a> <a href="/greek/5623.htm" title="5623: ōphelēthēsetai (V-FIP-3S) -- To help, benefit, do good, be useful (to), profit. From the same as opheleia; to be useful, i.e. To benefit.">will it profit</a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpos (N-NMS) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">a man</a> <a href="/greek/1437.htm" title="1437: ean (Conj) -- If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.">if</a> <a href="/greek/2770.htm" title="2770: kerdēsē (V-ASA-3S) -- To gain, acquire, win (over), avoid loss. From kerdos; to gain.">he gains</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/3650.htm" title="3650: holon (Adj-AMS) -- All, the whole, entire, complete. A primary word; whole or all, i.e. Complete, especially as noun or adverb.">whole</a> <a href="/greek/2889.htm" title="2889: kosmon (N-AMS) -- Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally).">world,</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">yet</a> <a href="/greek/2210.htm" title="2210: zēmiōthē (V-ASP-3S) -- From zemia; to injure, i.e. to experience detriment.">forfeits</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">his</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5590.htm" title="5590: psychēn (N-AFS) -- From psucho; breath, i.e. spirit, abstractly or concretely.">soul?</a> <a href="/greek/2228.htm" title="2228: ē (Conj) -- Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.">Or</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: ti (IPro-ANS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">what</a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpos (N-NMS) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">can a man</a> <a href="/greek/1325.htm" title="1325: dōsei (V-FIA-3S) -- To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.">give</a> <a href="/greek/465.htm" title="465: antallagma (N-ANS) -- An exchange, purchasing price. From a compound of anti and allasso; an equivalent or ransom.">in exchange for</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">his</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5590.htm" title="5590: psychēs (N-GFS) -- From psucho; breath, i.e. spirit, abstractly or concretely.">soul?</a> 27For the Son of Man will come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/mark/8-36.htm">Mark 8:36-37</a> What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? / Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? <a href="/luke/9-25.htm">Luke 9:25</a> What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet lose or forfeit his very self? <a href="/philippians/3-7.htm">Philippians 3:7-8</a> But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ. / More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ <a href="/1_john/2-15.htm">1 John 2:15-17</a> Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. / For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. / The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever. <a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a> Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. <a href="/luke/12-20.htm">Luke 12:20-21</a> But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’ / This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.” <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:10-11</a> He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile. / When good things increase, so do those who consume them; what then is the profit to the owner, except to behold them with his eyes? <a href="/proverbs/11-4.htm">Proverbs 11:4</a> Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death. <a href="/psalms/49-6.htm">Psalm 49:6-9</a> They trust in their wealth and boast in their great riches. / No man can possibly redeem his brother or pay his ransom to God. / For the redemption of his soul is costly, and never can payment suffice, ... <a href="/psalms/49-16.htm">Psalm 49:16-17</a> Do not be afraid when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases. / For when he dies, he will carry nothing away; his abundance will not follow him down. <a href="/job/27-8.htm">Job 27:8</a> For what is the hope of the godless when he is cut off, when God takes away his life? <a href="/1_timothy/6-7.htm">1 Timothy 6:7-10</a> For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it. / But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. / Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. ... <a href="/james/4-13.htm">James 4:13-14</a> Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.” / You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. <a href="/luke/16-19.htm">Luke 16:19-31</a> Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor. / And a beggar named Lazarus lay at his gate, covered with sores / and longing to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. ... <a href="/romans/6-21.htm">Romans 6:21</a> What fruit did you reap at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? The outcome of those things is death.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?what is.<a href="/matthew/5-29.htm">Matthew 5:29</a> And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.<a href="/job/2-4.htm">Job 2:4</a> And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.<a href="/mark/8-36.htm">Mark 8:36</a> For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?gain.<a href="/matthew/4-8.htm">Matthew 4:8,9</a> Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; … <a href="/job/27-8.htm">Job 27:8</a> For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?<a href="/luke/12-20.htm">Luke 12:20</a> But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?or.<a href="/psalms/49-7.htm">Psalm 49:7,8</a> None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: … <a href="/mark/8-37.htm">Mark 8:37</a> Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/micah/2-7.htm">Benefit</a> <a href="/matthew/14-15.htm">Buy</a> <a href="/matthew/13-46.htm">Exchange</a> <a href="/jonah/2-8.htm">Forfeit</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-2.htm">Forfeits</a> <a href="/malachi/3-14.htm">Gain</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-9.htm">Gains</a> <a href="/matthew/12-11.htm">Gets</a> <a href="/matthew/16-2.htm">Good</a> <a href="/matthew/16-25.htm">Life</a> <a href="/matthew/15-5.htm">Profit</a> <a href="/matthew/15-5.htm">Profited</a> <a href="/matthew/12-18.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/matthew/15-31.htm">Whole</a> <a href="/matthew/13-49.htm">World</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/mark/5-26.htm">Benefit</a> <a href="/matthew/25-9.htm">Buy</a> <a href="/mark/8-37.htm">Exchange</a> <a href="/mark/8-36.htm">Forfeit</a> <a href="/luke/9-25.htm">Forfeits</a> <a href="/matthew/18-15.htm">Gain</a> <a href="/luke/9-25.htm">Gains</a> <a href="/matthew/18-12.htm">Gets</a> <a href="/matthew/17-4.htm">Good</a> <a href="/matthew/17-23.htm">Life</a> <a href="/matthew/25-30.htm">Profit</a> <a href="/mark/7-11.htm">Profited</a> <a href="/matthew/22-37.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/matthew/18-26.htm">Whole</a> <a href="/matthew/18-7.htm">World</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 16</div>1. <a href="/matthew/16-1.htm">The Pharisees require a sign.</a> 5. <a href="/matthew/16-5.htm">Jesus warns his disciples of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.</a> 13. <a href="/matthew/16-13.htm">The people's opinion of Jesus,</a> 16. <a href="/matthew/16-16.htm">and Peter's confession of him.</a> 21. <a href="/matthew/16-21.htm">Jesus foretells his death;</a> 23. <a href="/matthew/16-23.htm">reproves Peter for dissuading him from it;</a> 24. <a href="/matthew/16-24.htm">and admonishes those who will follow him, to bear the cross.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/16.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/16.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world This phrase challenges the value of worldly success and material wealth. In biblical context, the "world" often represents temporal and fleeting pleasures (1 <a href="/john/2-15.htm">John 2:15-17</a>). Jesus emphasizes the futility of prioritizing earthly gains over spiritual well-being. Historically, the Roman Empire, with its vast wealth and power, serves as a backdrop, illustrating the allure of worldly success. The rhetorical question underscores the temporary nature of material possessions compared to eternal spiritual realities.yet forfeits his soul? The soul, in biblical terms, represents the eternal aspect of a person, distinct from the physical body (<a href="/genesis/2-7.htm">Genesis 2:7</a>). Forfeiting one's soul implies a loss of eternal life and separation from God. This echoes the warnings found in other scriptures, such as <a href="/mark/8-36.htm">Mark 8:36</a> and <a href="/luke/9-25.htm">Luke 9:25</a>, about the dangers of prioritizing earthly desires over spiritual health. The concept of the soul's value is rooted in the belief that humans are created in the image of God (<a href="/genesis/1-27.htm">Genesis 1:27</a>), making the soul priceless.Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? This phrase highlights the incomparable value of the soul, suggesting that no earthly possession or achievement can compensate for its loss. The rhetorical question implies that once the soul is lost, it cannot be redeemed by any human means. This aligns with the teachings in <a href="/psalms/49-7.htm">Psalm 49:7-8</a>, which state that no one can redeem another's life or give to God a ransom for them. Theologically, it points to the necessity of Christ's sacrifice as the only means of redemption (<a href="/1_peter/1-18.htm">1 Peter 1:18-19</a>), emphasizing the unique and irreplaceable worth of the soul in God's eyes.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The speaker of this verse, Jesus is addressing His disciples, teaching them about the cost of discipleship and the value of the soul. 2. <a href="/topical/d/disciples.htm">Disciples</a> The immediate audience of Jesus' teaching, representing all followers of Christ who are called to consider the eternal value of their souls over worldly gain. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_world.htm">The World</a> Represents the temporal, material possessions and achievements that people often pursue, contrasted with the eternal value of the soul. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_soul.htm">The Soul</a> The immaterial, eternal part of a person, which Jesus emphasizes as being of greater value than all worldly possessions. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_kingdom_of_god.htm">The Kingdom of God</a> The broader context of Jesus' teaching, where He often contrasts earthly values with the values of God's eternal kingdom.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_the_soul.htm">The Value of the Soul</a> Emphasize that the soul's eternal value far surpasses any temporary worldly gain. Our focus should be on nurturing our relationship with God. <a href="/topical/e/eternal_perspective.htm">Eternal Perspective</a> Encourage believers to adopt an eternal perspective, prioritizing spiritual growth and eternal rewards over temporary pleasures and achievements. <a href="/topical/c/cost_of_discipleship.htm">Cost of Discipleship</a> Highlight the call to discipleship, which involves self-denial and a willingness to sacrifice worldly pursuits for the sake of following Christ. <a href="/topical/t/true_wealth.htm">True Wealth</a> Teach that true wealth is found in a relationship with God and the treasures of His kingdom, not in material possessions. <a href="/topical/e/exchange_rate_of_the_soul.htm">Exchange Rate of the Soul</a> Reflect on the rhetorical question posed by Jesus about what one can give in exchange for their soul, underscoring the irreplaceable value of spiritual life.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_16.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 16</a> <a href="/q/how_does_faith_lead_to_true_success.htm">How does faith lead to true success?</a> <a href="/q/what_happens_if_you_abandon_faith.htm">What does it profit to gain the world?</a> <a href="/q/how_to_return_after_losing_faith.htm">How does faith lead to true success?</a> <a href="/q/blaise_pascal__who_was_he_and_his_impact.htm">Who was Blaise Pascal and what are his contributions?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/16.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(26) what is a man profited . . .?--It is not without a purpose that what may be called the argument of expediency is here brought in. Even the self-denial of <a href="/matthew/16-24.htm" title="Then said Jesus to his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.">Matthew 16:24</a> does not exclude the thought, for those who are still within the range of its influence, of what, in the long-run, will profit us most. There is a self-love which, in spite of the strained language of an exaggerated and unreal philanthropy, is ennobling and not debasing.In exchange for his soul.--The English introduces an apparent antithesis of language (as has just been noticed) in place of the identity of the original. It would be better to keep "life" in both verses. If there is no profit in bartering even the lower life for the whole world, how much less in bartering the higher,'Et propter vitam vivendi perdere causas!And when that forfeiture has been incurred, what price can he then pay to buy it back again? No. "It costs more to redeem their souls, so that he must let that alone for ever" (<a href="/psalms/49-8.htm" title="(For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceases for ever:)">Psalm 49:8</a>, Prayer Book version).<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/16.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 26. - For what is a man (shall a man be) profited? This verse explains the paradox concerning loss and gain in the previous verse. It is probably intended as a reminiscence of <a href="/psalms/49-7.htm">Psalm 49:7, 8</a>. Wordsworth notes that it is quoted by Ignatius, 'Ep. ad Romans,' 6; but it is probably an early interpolation there. The whole world. It is but a trifle of the whole world, with its riches, honours, pleasures, which the most successful man can obtain; but granted it all lay at his feet, how would it repay him for the loss of everlasting life? Lose his own soul (life) (τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ζημιωθῇ). The phrase means "suffer loss in respect of," equivalent to "forfeit," as in <a href="/luke/9-25.htm">Luke 9:25</a>. "Life" here is the higher life, the life in God. The Vulgate renders, Animae vero suae detrimentum patiatur. In exchange; ἀνταλλαγμα: Vulgate, commutationem; as an equivalent for his life. Or, it may be, to purchase back his life. "Again, he dwells upon the same point. 'What? hast thou another soul to give for this soul?' saith he. 'Why, shouldst thou lose money, thou wilt be able to give other money;or be it house, or slaves, or any other kinds of possession; but for thy soul, if thou lose it, thou wilt have no other soul to give: yea, though thou hadst the world, though thou wast king of the whole earth, thou wouldst not be able, by paying down all earthly goods, together wits the earth itself, to redeem even one soul" (Chrys.,' Hom.,' 55). The value of the soul is often expressed in classical adages. Ψυχῆς γὰρ οὐδέν ἐστι τιμιώρερον. "Naught is of higher value than the soul." Οὑ γὰρ τι ψυχῆς πέλει ἄνδρασι φίλτερον ἄλλο "Naught unto men is dearer than the life." So Homer, 'Iliad,' 9:401- "For not the stores which Troy, they say, contained In peaceful times, ere came the sons of Greece, Nor all the treasures which Apollo's shrine, The archer-god, in rock built Pythos holds, May weigh with life... But when the breath of man hath passed his lips, Nor strength nor foray can the loss repair." (Lord Derby.) <a href="/commentaries/matthew/16-26.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>What τί (ti) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. will it profit ὠφεληθήσεται (ōphelēthēsetai) Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5623.htm">Strong's 5623: </a> To help, benefit, do good, be useful (to), profit. From the same as opheleia; to be useful, i.e. To benefit. a man ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. if ἐὰν (ean) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1437.htm">Strong's 1437: </a> If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc. he gains κερδήσῃ (kerdēsē) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2770.htm">Strong's 2770: </a> To gain, acquire, win (over), avoid loss. From kerdos; to gain. the τὸν (ton) Article - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. whole ὅλον (holon) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3650.htm">Strong's 3650: </a> All, the whole, entire, complete. A primary word; 'whole' or 'all', i.e. Complete, especially as noun or adverb. world, κόσμον (kosmon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2889.htm">Strong's 2889: </a> Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally). yet δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. forfeits ζημιωθῇ (zēmiōthē) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2210.htm">Strong's 2210: </a> From zemia; to injure, i.e. to experience detriment. his αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. soul? ψυχὴν (psychēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5590.htm">Strong's 5590: </a> From psucho; breath, i.e. spirit, abstractly or concretely. Or ἢ (ē) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2228.htm">Strong's 2228: </a> Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than. what τί (ti) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. {can} a man ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. give δώσει (dōsei) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1325.htm">Strong's 1325: </a> To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give. in exchange for ἀντάλλαγμα (antallagma) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_465.htm">Strong's 465: </a> An exchange, purchasing price. From a compound of anti and allasso; an equivalent or ransom. his αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. soul? ψυχῆς (psychēs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5590.htm">Strong's 5590: </a> From psucho; breath, i.e. spirit, abstractly or concretely. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/16-26.htm">Matthew 16:26 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/16-26.htm">Matthew 16:26 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/16-26.htm">Matthew 16:26 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/16-26.htm">Matthew 16:26 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/16-26.htm">Matthew 16:26 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/16-26.htm">Matthew 16:26 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/16-26.htm">Matthew 16:26 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/16-26.htm">Matthew 16:26 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/16-26.htm">Matthew 16:26 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/16-26.htm">Matthew 16:26 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/16-26.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 16:26 For what will it profit a man (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/16-25.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 16:25"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 16:25" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/16-27.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 16:27"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 16:27" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>