Advantage
The Advantage of Being Jewish
In Romans 3:1, Paul asks a pointed question: "What advantage, then, has the Jew?" The Greek word "perissos" here means "surplus" or "something extra." Paul's answer is immediate and affirming: "Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God" (Romans 3:2). This passage acknowledges that being part of God's covenant people carried real benefits, chief among them the privilege of receiving and preserving the Scriptures. Yet Paul's broader argument in Romans is that this advantage did not mean automatic salvation; both Jews and Gentiles stand in need of God's grace through faith in Christ.
Taking Advantage and Exploitation
Paul used the concept of advantage negatively when addressing potential exploitation within the church. In 2 Corinthians 7:2, he defended himself by declaring that he had wronged no one, corrupted no one, and taken advantage of no one. The Greek word "pleonekteo" means to gain at another's expense or to defraud. Paul repeated this defense in 2 Corinthians 12:17-18, asking whether he or Titus had exploited the Corinthians in any way. These passages reveal Paul's sensitivity to the accusation that he profited personally from his ministry, a charge he categorically denied.
Satan's Advantage
In 2 Corinthians 2:11, Paul warned the church not to be outwitted by Satan, using the same Greek word "pleonekteo." He wrote that "we are not unaware of his schemes," indicating that Satan seeks to gain advantage over believers through division, unforgiveness, and deception. The context involved the church's response to a repentant offender; Paul urged forgiveness so that Satan would not exploit the situation by using excessive punishment to destroy a penitent believer and divide the community.
Advantage in the Book of Job
In Job 35:3, Elihu attributes to Job the question: "What advantage will it be to you? What profit shall I have, more than if I had sinned?" The Hebrew word "sakhan" means "profit" or "benefit." This question strikes at the heart of the book of Job: is there any advantage in being righteous? Job's suffering seemed to contradict the principle that righteousness brings reward. Elihu's response challenged Job's framing of the question, arguing that human righteousness or wickedness primarily affects other humans, not God, and that the advantage of righteousness extends beyond material prosperity.
True Profit in Jude
Jude 1:16 describes false teachers who flatter people for their own advantage. The Greek word "opheleia" means "profit" or "benefit." These deceivers used flattery as a tool for personal gain, exploiting the trust of believers. Jude's warning connects to a consistent biblical theme: those who seek advantage through manipulation and deception stand under divine judgment. True spiritual advantage comes not from exploiting others but from walking humbly with God (Micah 6:8).
Biblical Context
The concept of advantage appears in Romans 3:1 (the privilege of being Jewish), 2 Corinthians 2:11 (Satan gaining advantage through unforgiveness), 2 Corinthians 7:2 and 12:17 (Paul denying he exploited anyone), Job 35:3 (the question of whether righteousness has profit), and Jude 1:16 (false teachers seeking personal gain). Each passage uses the concept differently but all address the question of what constitutes genuine benefit in God's economy.
Theological Significance
Scripture's treatment of advantage challenges both complacency and exploitation. The advantage of covenant membership (Romans 3:1) is real but does not replace the need for personal faith. Taking advantage of others is consistently condemned as contrary to the gospel. And the deepest question about advantage, whether serving God is truly profitable, receives its answer not in material reward but in relationship with God Himself. The biblical view of advantage ultimately points to spiritual rather than material gain.
Historical Background
In the Greco-Roman world, patron-client relationships often involved exploitation, and traveling teachers frequently profited from their followers. Paul's repeated insistence that he never took advantage of the Corinthians reflects his awareness of this cultural pattern and his determination to distinguish authentic apostleship from the mercenary practices of false teachers. The Jewish community in Paul's day debated the practical advantages of Torah observance, particularly as Gentiles began entering the faith community without the obligations of the Mosaic Law.