1838. hexis
Lexical Summary
hexis: Habit, practice, condition

Original Word: ἕξις
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: hexis
Pronunciation: HEX-ees
Phonetic Spelling: (hex'-is)
KJV: use
NASB: practice
Word Origin: [from G2192 (ἔχω - have)]

1. habit
2. (by implication) practice

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
habit, practice, use

From echo; habit, i.e. (by implication) practice -- use.

see GREEK echo

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from echó
Definition
habit, practice
NASB Translation
practice (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 1838: ἕξις

ἕξις, ἕξεως, (ἔχω, future ἕξω), a habit, whether of body or of mind (Xenophon, Plato, Aristotle, others); a power acquired by custom, practice, use ("firma quaedam facilitas, quae apud Graecos ἕξις nominatur," Quintilian 10, 1 at the beginning); so Hebrews 5:14 (ἐν τούτοις ἱκανήν ἕξιν περιποιησάμενος, Sir. prol. 7; ἕξιν ἔχειν γραμματικης, Polybius 10, 47, 7; ἐν τοῖς πολεμικοῖς, 21, 7, 3; ἐν ἀστρολογία μεγίστην, Diodorus 2, 31; λογικήν ἕξιν περιποιουμενος, Philo, aleg. legg. 1, 4).

Topical Lexicon
Biblical Context

Hebrews 5:14 presents the term as the settled, trained condition of the senses that characterizes the “mature.” The writer contrasts this seasoned capacity with the infant-like immaturity of those still dependent on “milk” (Hebrews 5:13). The verse reads, “But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil” (Berean Standard Bible). The word points to a cultivated, stable readiness to respond to divine truth.

Moral and Spiritual Formation

1. Progressive growth. Hebrews ties habitual training to discernment, showing that repeated obedience develops an instinctive grasp of righteousness (compare Proverbs 2:9; Philippians 1:9–10).
2. Discipline of the will. As with physical exercise, spiritual disciplines forge reflexive godliness (1 Timothy 4:7–8; 1 Corinthians 9:25–27).
3. Union of knowledge and practice. The “solid food” imagery teaches that deeper doctrine is not merely intellectual; it demands practiced compliance (John 7:17; Philippians 4:9).

Theological Significance

• Sanctification as partnership. God supplies grace, yet believers cooperate through repeated choices that hard-wire holiness (Philippians 2:12–13).
• Ethical discernment. Habit enables immediate recognition of good and evil, pre-empting compromise (Romans 12:2; Psalm 119:104).
• Covenantal fidelity. In Hebrews, failure to progress threatens covenant blessings (Hebrews 6:1–8), making habitual growth a covenantal obligation rather than an optional enhancement.

Historical Reception

Early church writers (e.g., Clement of Alexandria, Origen) employed the Greek philosophical background of the term—Aristotle’s ἕξις as a stable moral disposition—to commend disciplined virtue. Medieval theologians, borrowing the Latin habitus, framed the theological virtues (faith, hope, love) as graciously infused yet cultivated habits. The Reformers retained the concept, stressing that saving faith issues in a life increasingly habituated to obedience.

Pastoral and Ministry Implications

• Discipleship strategies should emphasize repetition: Scripture memorization, regular prayer, and consistent fellowship create the spiritual reflexes Hebrews commends.
• Leadership training must develop discernment, not merely transmit information; mentoring, supervised ministry, and corrective feedback are essential.
• Counseling benefits from highlighting the power of practiced righteousness to break enslaving patterns (Romans 6:19).
• Corporate worship shapes congregational “habits of the heart,” aligning affections with biblical truth (Colossians 3:16).

Practical Applications

1. Establish rhythms of intake (daily reading), output (service), and reflection (examination of conscience).
2. Use measurable goals—reading plans, prayer journals, accountability partnerships—to reinforce consistency.
3. Celebrate incremental victories; each obedient choice strengthens the believer’s spiritual reflexes.

Related Concepts

• “Training” (γυμνάζω, 1 Timothy 4:7) emphasizes rigorous exercise.
• “Practice” (πράσσω, Philippians 4:9) underscores repeated action.
• “Walk” (περιπατέω, Galatians 5:16) pictures sustained lifestyle.

Reflection Questions

• Which spiritual disciplines in my life need greater consistency to sharpen discernment?
• How can local church structures encourage sanctifying habits rather than sporadic activity?

Strong’s Greek 1838 thus directs attention to the God-ordained place of habitual obedience in moving believers from infancy to maturity, equipping them to recognize and choose the good in every arena of life.

Forms and Transliterations
έξει έξεως εξιν έξιν ἕξιν έξις εξισούμενον exin hexin héxin
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Englishman's Concordance
Hebrews 5:14 N-AFS
GRK: διὰ τὴν ἕξιν τὰ αἰσθητήρια
NAS: who because of practice have
KJV: [even] those who by reason of use have
INT: on account of the habit the senses

Strong's Greek 1838
1 Occurrence


ἕξιν — 1 Occ.

1837
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