Become useless (889) (achreioo from achreÃos = useless, unprofitable, in turn from a = without + chreÃa = utility, usefulness) means to make unprofitable or render unserviceable. It means to become depraved, morally worthless or corrupt. In the middle voice it means to become unprofitable or vile. Achreioo is found only here in the NT and 6 times in the Septuagint (LXX) (2Ki 3:19; Ps 14:3; 53:3; Jer 11:16; Dan 4:14; 6:20) Useless or unprofitable is the picture of rotten fruit; something irrevocably bad and therefore thoroughly useless. Lightfoot says that achreioo is used to translate the Hebrew word which describes milk that has gone sour. Human nature without Christ is a soured and useless thing. Psalm 14:3 which Paul quotes in this section is translated as follows in several different versions: "all alike turned sour" (NJB), "they are together become impure" (JPS), "they have together become corrupt" (NIV). Spurgeon has an interesting note on Ps 14:3 writing that "They are spoiled and soured like corrupt leaven, or, as some put it, they have become putrid and even stinking. The only reason why we do not more clearly see this foulness is because we are accustomed to it. But are there no special cases; are all sinful? Yes, says the psalmist." In a note on the related Ps 53:3 Spurgeon adds that "The whole lump is soured with an evil leaven. Thus, in God’s sight, our atheistic nature is not the pardonable thing that we think it to be. Errors as to God are not the mild diseases which some account them; they are abominable evils." (Treasury of David) Albert Barnes adds that "This word ("corrupt" in Ps14:3) in Hebrew means , to become putrid and offensive, like fruit that is spoiled. In Arabic, it is applied to milk that becomes sour. Applied to moral subjects, it means to become corrupt and useless. They are of no value in regard to works of righteousness." The Septuagint uses this word to describe Israel, Jeremiah writing that "The LORD called your name, "A green olive tree, beautiful in fruit and form"; with the noise of a great tumult He has kindled fire on it, and its branches are worthless (achreioo - are become good for nothing)" (Jer 11:16) In the following use in Second Kings in a prophecy of Elisha we see a vivid picture of the meaning of this word "Then you shall strike every fortified city and every choice city, and fell every good tree and stop all springs of water, and mar (Septuagint = achreioo - "spoil") every good piece of land with stones.'" (2Ki 3:19) When man turns aside aside from Truth, he then becomes unprofitable to God and he is not available to God to use for any good work (see good works) All we do in our flesh (Isa 64:6) is spoiled in God's holy eyes and unable to bring us any closer to the former oneness between the creation and their Creator. Sin renders men unprofitable (unable to store up for themselves treasure in heaven, unable even to redeem the time). Sin has made men worthless to worship His Holiness. Although achreioo is only here in Romans 3:12 in the NT, the derivative root word "achreios" is used in Mt 25:30 "And cast out the worthless (achreios) slave into the outer darkness; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth") Achreios is also used in Lk 17:10 "So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy (achreios) slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done." This verse describes the logical outcome of the preceding statements. Because no one has stayed on the path to God, they have become useless. They cannot fulfill their purpose as creatures made in the image of God. They are like fish that cannot swim or birds that cannot fly. THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE: ouk estin (3SPAI) o poion (PAPMSN) chrestoteta ouk estin (3PAI) heôs henos: (Ps 53:1; Eccl 7:20; Isa 64:6; Eph 2:8, 9, 10; Phil 2:12,13; Titus 2:13,14; Jas 1:16,17) Ps 53:1 For the choir director; according to Mahalath. A Maskil of David. The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God,” They are corrupt, and have committed abominable injustice; There is no one who does good. Eccl 7:20 Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins. None (3756) (ou) means absolutely none. No exceptions. "Copy and paste the address below into your web browser in order to go to the original page which will allow you to access live links related to the material on this page - these links include Scriptures (which can be read in context), Scripture pop-ups on mouse over, and a variety of related resources such as Bible dictionary articles, commentaries, sermon notes and theological journal articles related to the topic under discussion." http://www.preceptaustin.org/romans_312-13.htm#Useless:%20(889)%20achreioo