Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
8:36-37 The implied answer to Jesus’ rhetorical question is that possessing the entire world has no value if you give up eternal life. “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose” (Jim Elliot). You need your soul to enjoy the benefits of the world to come. When you forfeit your life or soul, there is nothing you can give to purchase it back.
Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
8:36-37 The implied answer to Jesus’ rhetorical question is that possessing the entire world has no value if you give up eternal life. “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose” (Jim Elliot). You need your soul to enjoy the benefits of the world to come. When you forfeit your life or soul, there is nothing you can give to purchase it back.
Literal English (YLT)ⓘYoung's Literal Translation (1862) — mirrors the original word order and idiom as closely as English grammar allows. It reads awkwardly on purpose: the goal is to show you the structure of the original language, not smooth English prose.Young's Literal Translation (1862) — mirrors the original word order and idiom as closely as English grammar allows. It reads awkwardly on purpose: the goal is to show you the structure of the original language, not smooth English prose.
for what shall it profit a man, if he may gain the whole world, and forfeit his life?
Greek (New Testament)ⓘA Greek New Testament text — koine (common) Greek, the everyday language the New Testament was originally written in.A Greek New Testament text — koine (common) Greek, the everyday language the New Testament was originally written in.
none τι γαρ ωφελησει ανθρωπον εαν κερδηση τον κοσμον ολον και ζημιωθη την ψυχην αυτου
King James VersionⓘKing James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
For what doth it profit a man, to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life?
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.
What profit has a man if he gets all the world with the loss of his life?