Expedient
Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words [1]
signifies (a), transitively, lit., "to bring together," (sun, "with," phero, "to bring"), Acts 19:19; (b) intransitively, "to be an advantage, profitable, expedient" (not merely 'convenient'); it is used mostly impersonally, "it is (it was) expedient;" so in Matthew 19:10 , RV (negatively), AV, "it is (not) good;" John 11:50; 16:7; 18:14; 1—Corinthians 6:12; 10:23; 2—Corinthians 8:10; 12:1; "it is profitable," Matthew 5:29,30; 18:6 , RV; "was profitable," Acts 20:20; "to profit withal," 1—Corinthians 12:7; in Hebrews 12:10 , used in the neuter of the present participle with the article as a noun, "for (our) profit." See Profit. Cp. the adjective sumphoros (or sumpheron), "profitable," used with the article as a noun, 1—Corinthians 7:35; 10:33 .
King James Dictionary [2]
EXPE'DIENT, a. L. expediens expedio, to hasten Eng. speed.
1. Literally, hastening urging forward. Hence, tending to promote the object proposed fit or suitable for the purpose proper under the circumstances. Many things may be lawful, which are not expedient. 2. Useful profitable. 3. Quick expeditious. Not used.
EXPE'DIENT, n. That which serves to promote or advance any means which may be employed to accomplish an end. Let every expedient be employed to effect an important object, nor let exertions cease till all expedients fail of producing the effect.
1. Shift means devised or employed in an exigency.
Webster's Dictionary [3]
(1): ( n.) That which serves to promote or advance; suitable means to accomplish an end.
(2): ( n.) Means devised in an exigency; shift.
(3): ( a.) Hastening or forward; hence, tending to further or promote a proposed object; fit or proper under the circumstances; conducive to self-interest; desirable; advisable; advantageous; - sometimes contradistinguished from right.
(4): ( a.) Quick; expeditious.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia [4]
eks - pē´di - ent ( συμφέρω , sumphérō ): The Greek word translated "expedient" ( sumphérō ) 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" ( John 11:50 , "it is expedient for us," the Revised Version (British and American) "for you"; John 16:7 , "It is expedient for you that I go away," i.e. "profitable," "for your good," John 18:14; 1 Corinthians 6:12; 1 Corinthians 10:23; 2 Corinthians 8:10; 2 Corinthians 12:1 ). In Matthew 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).
