kerdaino denotes obtaining or gaining something, whether people, an increase, the world, or Christ.

The verb describes obtaining or gaining an intended object or result: people may be gained through conduct or adaptive action, entrusted talents may yield more, and the whole world or Christ may stand as what is gained. In Acts 27:21, however, the APB presents the clause in terms of avoiding mistreatment and loss, so the term’s specific contribution there is less clear.

1. Obtaining a person, increase, or desired possession · dominant

   The aorist active forms mark intended or completed acquisition: in 1 Corinthians 9:19 the APB renders the purpose clause “that I might gain more,” and 1 Corinthians 9:20 places the same purpose in becoming as Jews or as those under the law. In Matthew 25:16 the APB renders the outcome of working with five talents as having “gained five more”; Matthew 18:15 presents a brother as gained after he listens, while Philippians 3:8 places gaining Christ after the loss of all things. The same acquisition is weighed against forfeiting oneself or one’s life when the whole world is gained in Mark 8:36 and Matthew 16:26.

   1 Corinthians 9:191 Corinthians 9:20Matthew 25:16Matthew 18:15Philippians 3:8Mark 8:36

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly uses “gain” or “gained” where the surrounding clause makes an object or increase explicit, including people, talents, the world, and Christ. In Acts 27:21 it instead renders the result as avoiding “this mistreatment and the loss”; That wording does not isolate the term’s contribution.