1500. eiké

Lexicon

eiké: In vain, without cause, for no purpose

Original Word: εἰκῇ
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: eiké
Pronunciation: ay-KAY
Phonetic Spelling: (i-kay')
Definition: In vain, without cause, for no purpose
Meaning: without a cause, purpose; purposelessly, in vain, for nothing.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

without a cause, in vain.

Probably from eiko (through the idea of failure); idly, i.e. Without reason (or effect) -- without a cause, (in) vain(-ly).

see GREEK eiko

HELPS Word-studies

1500 eikḗ – properly, without cause (ground), without basis and therefore not to be taken seriously (considered valid). This adverb suggests, "What goes to no purpose . . . ".

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
adverb probably akin to hekón
Definition
without cause or reason, vainly
NASB Translation
nothing (1), vain (4), without cause (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 1500: εἰκῇ

εἰκῇ (L WH Relz εἰκῇ; cf. Alexander Buttmann (1873) Ausf. Spr. ii., p. 342; Buttmann, 69 (61); (Winers Grammar, § 5, 4 e.; Jelf, § 324 Obs. 6; Kühner, § 336 Anm. 7; especially Etym. Magn. 78, 26f; and references under the word Iota)), adverb; in Greek writings from Aeschylus down;

1. inconsiderately, without purpose, without just cause: Matthew 5:22 R G Tr brackets; Romans 13:4 (i. e. 'not to hide it in the scabbard, but to draw it' Fritzsche); Colossians 2:18.

2. in vain; without success or effect: 1 Corinthians 15:2; Galatians 3:4; Galatians 4:11. (From Xenophon, Aeschylus down.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek word εἴκω (eikō), meaning "to yield" or "to give way."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for εἰκῇ, similar concepts can be found in Hebrew words that convey vanity or purposelessness, such as הֶבֶל (hebel, Strong's 1892), meaning "vanity" or "emptiness," often used in Ecclesiastes to describe the fleeting nature of life and human endeavors.

Usage: The term εἰκῇ is used in the New Testament to describe actions or efforts that are futile, purposeless, or without justification. It often conveys the sense of something being done without a valid reason or result.

Context: The Greek adverb εἰκῇ appears in several New Testament passages, emphasizing the futility or lack of purpose in certain actions or beliefs. It is used to highlight the emptiness or ineffectiveness of efforts that are not grounded in truth or divine purpose.

• Matthew 5:22 (BSB): "But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother without cause will be subject to judgment." Here, εἰκῇ underscores the baseless nature of anger that leads to divine judgment.

• Romans 13:4 (BSB): Although εἰκῇ is not directly used in this verse, the concept of acting without cause is implicit in the discussion of authority and its rightful exercise.

• 1 Corinthians 15:2 (BSB): "By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain." The use of εἰκῇ here stresses the importance of steadfast faith, warning against a belief that is ultimately purposeless if not held firmly.

• Galatians 3:4 (BSB): "Have you suffered so much for nothing—if it really was for nothing?" The rhetorical question uses the concept of εἰκῇ to question the pointlessness of suffering if it does not lead to spiritual growth or understanding.

The use of εἰκῇ in these contexts serves as a caution against actions and beliefs that lack substance or divine approval. It calls believers to examine the motivations and outcomes of their actions, ensuring they align with God's will and purpose.

Forms and Transliterations

εικη εική εἰκῇ εικοσαετούς εικοσαέτους eike eikē eikêi eikē̂i

Englishman's Concordance

Romans 13:4 Adv
GRK: οὐ γὰρ εἰκῇ τὴν μάχαιραν
NAS: the sword for nothing; for it is a minister
KJV: not the sword in vain: for he is
INT: not indeed in vain the sword

1 Corinthians 15:2 Adv
GRK: εἰ μὴ εἰκῇ ἐπιστεύσατε
NAS: to you, unless you believed in vain.
KJV: unless ye have believed in vain.
INT: if not in vain you believed

Galatians 3:4 Adv
GRK: τοσαῦτα ἐπάθετε εἰκῇ εἴ γε
NAS: so many things in vain-- if
KJV: so many things in vain? if [it be] yet
INT: So many things did you suffer in vain if indeed

Galatians 3:4 Adv
GRK: γε καὶ εἰκῇ
NAS: if indeed it was in vain?
KJV: in vain? if [it be] yet in vain.
INT: indeed also in vain

Galatians 4:11 Adv
GRK: μή πως εἰκῇ κεκοπίακα εἰς
NAS: I have labored over you in vain.
KJV: you labour in vain.
INT: lest perhaps in vain I have toiled as to

Colossians 2:18 Adv
GRK: ἑόρακεν ἐμβατεύων εἰκῇ φυσιούμενος ὑπὸ
NAS: inflated without cause by his fleshly
KJV: not seen, vainly puffed up by
INT: he has seen detailing vainly puffed up by

Strong's Greek 1500
6 Occurrences

εἰκῇ — 6 Occ.