Lexical Summary heneka: for the sake of, because of, on account of Original Word: ἕνεκα Strong's Exhaustive Concordance because, for sake, wherefore, by reason ofOr heneken hen'-ek-en or heineken hi'-nek-en; of uncertain affinity; on account of -- because, for (cause, sake), (where-)fore, by reason of, that. HELPS Word-studies 1752 héneka (a preposition/adverb followed by the genitive case; alternate spelling, heneken, etymology uncertain) – for this cause, by reason of. 1752 (héneka) introduces the basis (root-cause) which shapes (determines) the end-outcome of the verbal idea. Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1752: εἵνεκενεἵνεκεν see ἕνεκα, ἕνεκεν. STRONGS NT 1752: ἕνεκαἕνεκα (only before consonants (Rec. three times (Griesbach twice) out of twenty-five)), and ἕνεκεν (R G 19 times, L (out of 26) 21 times, Tr 20, WH 18, T 17), or in a form at first Ionic εἵνεκεν (Luke 4:18 (Rec. ἕν.; The term occurs twenty-six times, always governing the genitive and expressing motive or cause. English renderings include “for the sake of,” “because of,” and “on account of.” Its range extends from Messianic mission statements (Luke 4:18) to household instructions (Matthew 19:5). Patterns of Usage in the Synoptic Gospels 1. Messianic Mission: In Luke 4:18 Jesus reads Isaiah, affirming that the Spirit rests upon Him “because He has anointed Me,” grounding every ensuing act of mercy in divine appointment. Persecution and Reward Matthew 10:18 and Mark 13:9 foresee believers “brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony.” Luke 21:12 and Acts 26:21 echo this legal adversity. The same preposition frames both the cost and the evangelistic opportunity, promising eternal reward (Matthew 5:12) and present empowerment (Acts 28:20). Mission and Gospel Proclamation Mark 10:29-30 assures that anyone who abandons house or family “for My sake and for the gospel” receives a hundredfold now and “in the age to come eternal life.” Here the word welds together earthly renunciation and eschatological gain, shaping missionary motivation throughout church history. Marital and Familial Implications Quotations of Genesis 2:24 (Matthew 19:5; Mark 10:7) use the preposition to establish God’s rationale for marriage. The same genitive construction (“for this cause”) is repeated by Paul in Ephesians 5:31 (with the cognate charin), showing the continuity of marriage theology from creation to New Covenant ethics. Legal and Judicial Contexts Acts 19:32 and 26:21 reveal how public disorder and legal proceedings often arise “on account of” the gospel. Paul’s Roman imprisonment “on account of the hope of Israel” (Acts 28:20) underscores that gospel proclamation fulfills, rather than contradicts, Israel’s promises. Pauline Theology: Suffering and Triumph Romans 8:36 cites Psalm 44:22: “For Your sake we face death all day long.” Paul reframes Israel’s lament as normative Christian experience, placing suffering inside God’s inseparable love (Romans 8:37-39). In Romans 14:20 he warns against “destroying the work of God for the sake of food,” applying the word to church unity and conscience. 2 Corinthians concentrates the term (3:10; 7:12). In 3:10 the fading glory of Moses is eclipsed “on account of” the surpassing glory of the gospel. In 7:12 the apostle clarifies that his severe letter was not written “on account of” the wrongdoer alone but “on account of” the church’s earnestness, showing pastoral motive. Christological Fulfillment Every salvific act finds its ground in divine purpose. Jesus is anointed (Luke 4:18), suffers (Romans 8:36), and calls disciples (Matthew 10:18) all “for the sake of” the Father’s redemptive plan. The preposition thus serves as a thematic thread linking prophecy, incarnation, crucifixion, and mission. Pastoral and Practical Applications • Motive Examination: Ministry decisions must be weighed by whether they are “for His sake.” Historical Reception in the Early Church Early martyrs adopted the phrase “for the Name’s sake,” echoing Matthew 5:11. Church fathers such as Ignatius and Polycarp invoked the term when exhorting believers to steadfastness. The Nicene creed’s clause “for us men and for our salvation” reflects the same causal construction, showing the enduring theological weight carried by this small preposition. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 5:10 AdvGRK: οἱ δεδιωγμένοι ἕνεκεν δικαιοσύνης ὅτι NAS: who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, KJV: [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: INT: they who have been persecuted on account of righteousness for Matthew 5:11 Adv Matthew 10:18 Adv Matthew 10:39 Adv Matthew 16:25 Adv Matthew 19:5 Adv Matthew 19:29 Adv Mark 8:35 Adv Mark 10:7 Adv Mark 10:29 Adv Mark 10:29 Adv Mark 13:9 Adv Luke 4:18 Adv Luke 6:22 Adv Luke 9:24 Adv Luke 18:29 Adv Luke 21:12 Adv Acts 19:32 Adv Acts 26:21 Adv Acts 28:20 Adv Romans 8:36 Adv Romans 14:20 Adv 2 Corinthians 3:10 Adv 2 Corinthians 7:12 Adv 2 Corinthians 7:12 Adv Strong's Greek 1752 |
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