Lexical Summary aitia: Cause, reason, accusation, charge Original Word: αἰτία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance accusation, case, cause, crime, fault. From the same as aiteo; a cause (as if asked for), i.e. (logical) reason (motive, matter), (legal) crime (alleged or proved) -- accusation, case, cause, crime, fault, (wh-)ere(-fore). see GREEK aiteo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom aiteó Definition cause, reason NASB Translation charge (1), charge against (2), charges (2), ground (2), guilt (3), reason (9), relationship (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 156: αἰτίααἰτία, (ας, ἡ; 1. cause, reason: Acts 10:21; Acts 22:24; Acts 28:20; κατά πᾶσαν αἰτίαν for every cause, Matthew 19:3; δἰ ἥν αἰτίαν for which cause, wherefore, Luke 8:47; 2 Timothy 1:6, 12; Titus 1:13; Hebrews 2:11; cf. Grimm on 2 Macc. 4:28. 2. cause for which one is worthy of punishment; crime of which one is accused: Matthew 27:37; Mark 15:26; John 18:38; John 19:4 (6; Acts 23:28); αἰτία θανάτου (A. V. cause of death) crime deserving the punishment of death, Acts 13:28; Acts 28:18. 3. charge of crime, accusation: Acts 25:18, 27. (All these meanings are in secular writings also; (but Liddell and Scott now make meaning 3 the primary one).) In Matthew 19:10 the words εἰ οὕτως ἐστιν ἡ αἰτία τοῦ ἀνθρώπου μετά τήν γυναικός find a simple explanation in a Latinism (causa equivalent tores:si ita res se habet, etc.) if the case of the man with his wife is so. The term denotes the underlying “cause,” “reason,” or “charge” that explains why something happens or why a person is held to account. In Scripture it ranges from a formal legal accusation to an inward motive of ministry action. Whether it concerns a courtroom verdict, a pastoral exhortation, or the redemptive purpose of Christ, the word presses the reader to ask, “On what grounds?” Judicial and Legal Contexts 1. Civil and religious courts regularly appear in the narrative portions of the New Testament, and in nearly every legal scene the term surfaces. Pilate’s repeated declaration, “I find no basis for a charge against Him” (John 18:38; 19:4, 6) underlines both Christ’s innocence and the moral bankruptcy of His accusers. Domestic and Ethical Contexts Matthew 19:3–10 shows Pharisees using the word to frame the debate on divorce: “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?” Jesus grounds His reply in Genesis, revealing that convenience is never a sufficient cause for dissolving what God joins together. The disciples’ reaction (“If this is the situation... it is better not to marry,” 19:10) proves how radically the Lord re-calibrates human reasoning about marriage. Pastoral and Personal Contexts Paul uses the term positively when explaining why he acts as he does. “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God” (2 Timothy 1:6). A few verses later he adds, “For this reason, even though I suffer as I do, I am not ashamed” (1:12). The apostle’s “cause” is the gospel itself—sufficient motive for ministry, perseverance, and boldness. Titus receives a similar charge: “For this reason rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith” (Titus 1:13). The same word that unmasked false charges against Christ now motivates the shepherd to guard Christ’s flock. Christological Significance Hebrews 2:11 affirms, “For both the One who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one; for this reason He is not ashamed to call them brothers.” Here the term undergirds the solidarity between the incarnate Son and believers. The cross, free of any valid accusation against Jesus, becomes the decisive “cause” for believers’ adoption into God’s family. Historical Background In the Greco-Roman world, αἰτία served as a technical term in both civil and criminal proceedings. Luke’s detailed portrayal of legal hearings in Acts demonstrates intimate familiarity with contemporary jurisprudence, lending historical credibility to his narratives. The inability of magistrates to state a valid αἰτία for convicting either Jesus or Paul underscores the innocence of gospel witnesses and the integrity of Scripture’s historical claims. Implications for Christian Ministry • Integrity: A servant of Christ must ensure that no legitimate “charge” can be leveled against his conduct (cf. 1 Timothy 3:2). Summary Across courtroom scenes, household debates, and pastoral letters, the word consistently asks: Is there a just cause? Scripture’s answer is twofold—no legitimate charge stands against the spotless Lamb, and His finished work now provides every legitimate reason for faith, obedience, and confident proclamation of the gospel. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 19:3 N-AFSGRK: κατὰ πᾶσαν αἰτίαν NAS: his wife for any reason at all? KJV: for every cause? INT: for every cause Matthew 19:10 N-NFS Matthew 27:37 N-AFS Mark 15:26 N-GFS Luke 8:47 N-AFS John 18:38 N-AFS John 19:4 N-AFS John 19:6 N-AFS Acts 10:21 N-NFS Acts 13:28 N-AFS Acts 22:24 N-AFS Acts 23:28 N-AFS Acts 25:18 N-AFS Acts 25:27 N-GFS Acts 28:18 N-AFS Acts 28:20 N-AFS 2 Timothy 1:6 N-AFS 2 Timothy 1:12 N-AFS Titus 1:13 N-AFS Hebrews 2:11 N-AFS Strong's Greek 156 |
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