Bible Dictionary
EXPEDIENT
Beneficial or profitable for a proper purpose. In the New Testament it does not mean convenient at the expense of righteousness, but what truly serves the good.
Definition
Expedient means profitable, beneficial, or serving a proper purpose. In biblical usage it does not mean mere convenience or advantage pursued at the expense of what is right.
Biblical Usage
The New Testament uses the word for what is genuinely beneficial or for the good of those concerned. It never presents expediency as an alternative to righteousness, and its use includes Christ’s departure being beneficial to his disciples.
Historical Background
The Greek term literally means to bear or bring together and, in personal reference, to be well or profitable. The modern sense of hastening or mere convenience is not found in its New Testament use.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>eks-pe'-di-ent (sumphero):</p><p>The Greek word translated "expedient" (sumphero) means literally, "to bear or bring together"; with a personal reference, "to be well or profitable." In the New Testament it never means "profitable" or "convenient" as opposed to what is strictly right. It is translated "expedient" (Joh 11:50, "it is expedient for us," the Revised Version (British and American) "for you"; Joh 16:7, "It is expedient for you that I go away," i.e. "profitable," "for your good," 18:14; 1Co 6:12; 10:23; 2Co 8:10; 12:1). In Mt 19:10, instead of "not good to marry," the Revised Version (British and American) has "not expedient." The modern sense of "expediency" as "hastening" or "acceleration," is not found in the New Testament, any more than its bad sense of "mere convenience." "Nothing but the right can ever be expedient" (Whately).</p><p>W. L. Walker</p>