1893. epei
Lexical Summary
epei: Since, because, for, then

Original Word: ἐπεί
Part of Speech: Conjunction
Transliteration: epei
Pronunciation: eh-PAY
Phonetic Spelling: (ep-i')
KJV: because, else, for that (then, -asmuch as), otherwise, seeing that, since, when
NASB: since, otherwise, because
Word Origin: [from G1909 (ἐπί - over) and G1487 (εἰ - if)]

1. thereupon, i.e. since (of time or cause)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
because, else, for that, otherwise

From epi and ei; thereupon, i.e. Since (of time or cause) -- because, else, for that (then, -asmuch as), otherwise, seeing that, since, when.

see GREEK epi

see GREEK ei

HELPS Word-studies

1893 epeí (a conjunction composed of 1909, "on, fitting" and 1487 /ei, "if, which assumes the premise is factual") – properly, aptly if, introducing something assumed to be factual and fitting, i.e. as appropriate to what is assumed. Its sense is, "Assume what precedes is true, and understand what follows to be appropriate and applicable" (i.e. true as well).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from epi and ei
Definition
when, because
NASB Translation
because (5), otherwise (8), since (11).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 1893: ἐπεί

ἐπεί (from temporal ἐπί and εἰ, literally, thereupon when; Curtius, Erläut. etc., p. 182; cf. Etym. Magn. 356, 7), conjunction (Latincum), when, since (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 53, 1); used:

1. of time, after; so once in the N. T.: Luke 7:1 (where L T Tr text WH text ἐπειδή).

2. of cause, etc., since, seeing that, because: Matthew 18:32; (Matthew 21:40 T Tr WH); ; Mark 15:42; Luke 1:34; John 13:29; John 19:31; 1 Corinthians 14:12; 2 Corinthians 11:18; 2 Corinthians 13:3; Hebrews 5:2, 11; Hebrews 6:13; Hebrews 9:17; Hebrews 11:11; ἐπεί οὖν since then, Hebrews 2:14; Hebrews 4:6. Agreeably to a very common abbreviation of speech, we must often supply in thought between ἐπεί and the proposition depending upon it some such phrase as if it is (or were) otherwise; so that the particle, although retaining the force of since, is yet to be rendered otherwise, else, or for then (German sonst); so in Romans 11:6, 22; Hebrews 9:26; ἐπεί ἄρα, 1 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Corinthians 7:14 (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 53, 8 a.); ἐπεί alone before a question (cf. Winers Grammar, 480 (417); Buttmann, 233 (200)): Romans 3:6; 1 Corinthians 14:16; 1 Corinthians 15:29; Hebrews 10:2; (4 Macc. 1:33; 2:7, 19; 6:34 (); ). Cf. Matthiae, § 618; (Buttmann, § 149, 5).

Topical Lexicon
Overview of the Word’s Function

ἐπεί serves as a causal connector, moving an argument or narrative forward by supplying the ground for what precedes or follows. Whether translated “since,” “because,” or “for,” it signals that what is being stated rests on an already-established fact. In every New Testament occurrence the term reinforces logical coherence, underscoring that divine revelation is never arbitrary but always reasoned and rooted in truth.

Usage in Gospel Narratives

1. Divine mercy illustrated

Matthew 18:32: “I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me.” The causal clause highlights the master’s mercy as a direct response to the servant’s plea, preparing the hearer for the moral that forgiven people must forgive.

2. Messianic identity and public perception

Matthew 21:46; Mark 15:42; John 19:31 show religious leaders adjusting their plans “because” of crowd sentiment or Sabbath concerns. ἐπεί underlines how God’s sovereign timetable was accomplished even through human calculations.

3. Angelic explanation and the virgin birth

Luke 1:34 records Mary’s question, “How can this be, since I have not been intimate with a man?” Her use of ἐπεί sets the stage for the angelic proclamation of the miraculous conception, underscoring the supernatural origin of Jesus Christ.

Pauline Employment for Doctrinal Argumentation

1. Vindication of divine justice

Romans 3:6: “Certainly not! For then how could God judge the world?” Paul’s rhetorical use of ἐπεί exposes the absurdity of suggesting God is unjust.

2. Grace versus works

Romans 11:6: “And if it is by grace, it is no longer by works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.” The causal clause cements the mutually exclusive nature of grace and works in salvation.

3. Holiness in the Christian home

1 Corinthians 7:14: “For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband.” ἐπεί grounds Paul’s pastoral assurance that a mixed marriage is not defiling but potentially redemptive.

4. Resurrection logic

1 Corinthians 15:29: “Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them?” The particle presses the reader to follow the chain of reasoning that culminates in the certainty of bodily resurrection.

Rhetorical Offset in Corinthians

In 1 Corinthians 14:12, 14:16, and 2 Corinthians 11:18; 13:3, ἐπεί introduces conditional reasoning aimed at correcting attitudes toward spiritual gifts and apostolic authority. Its repetitive use crafts a Socratic dialogue that both answers objections and imposes apostolic logic upon the congregation.

Profound Theological Layers within Hebrews

1. Incarnation and atonement

Hebrews 2:14: “Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death.” The word links Christ’s identification with humanity to His victory over the devil.

2. Sabbath rest and perseverance

Hebrews 4:6 establishes that unbelief, not lack of opportunity, bars entry into God’s rest.

3. High-priestly qualification

Hebrews 5:2 and 5:11 use ἐπεί to argue that Christ’s compassionate ministry arises “because” He understands human weakness, yet listeners are “slow to learn” in grasping its implications.

4. Covenant efficacy

Hebrews 9:26: “But now He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” ἐπεί clarifies why repeated sacrifices are unnecessary—the single offering of Christ is sufficient.

Pastoral and Ecclesial Significance

Because ἐπεί consistently furnishes reasons, it models for preaching and teaching a theology that persuades both heart and mind. The faithful expositor can follow this inspired pattern by grounding every doctrinal assertion in the revealed character and acts of God, thereby cultivating a congregation that believes not merely because it is instructed to do so, but because Scripture provides compelling grounds.

Historical Notes on Translation

Early English versions (e.g., Tyndale, Geneva) almost uniformly render ἐπεί as “because” or “seeing that,” preserving the causal nuance. Modern translations, including the Berean Standard Bible, continue this tradition, reflecting the unbroken recognition that God’s Word invites rational trust.

Summary

Across twenty-seven occurrences, ἐπεί binds narrative detail to divine purpose, doctrine to evidence, and exhortation to motivation. By attending to its causal force, readers and teachers discern not only what God says, but why He says it, thereby deepening confidence in the coherence and reliability of the whole counsel of God.

Forms and Transliterations
επει επεί ἐπεὶ epei epeì
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Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 18:32 Conj
GRK: ἀφῆκά σοι ἐπεὶ παρεκάλεσάς με
NAS: that debt because you pleaded
KJV: that debt, because thou desiredst me:
INT: I forgave you since you begged me

Matthew 21:46 Conj
GRK: τοὺς ὄχλους ἐπεὶ εἰς προφήτην
INT: the crowds because as a prophet

Matthew 27:6 Conj
GRK: τὸν κορβανᾶν ἐπεὶ τιμὴ αἵματός
NAS: them into the temple treasury, since it is the price
KJV: the treasury, because it is
INT: the treasury since [the] price of blood

Mark 15:42 Conj
GRK: ὀψίας γενομένης ἐπεὶ ἦν παρασκευή
NAS: come, because it was the preparation day,
KJV: was come, because it was
INT: evening having arrived since it was [the] Preparation

Luke 1:34 Conj
GRK: ἔσται τοῦτο ἐπεὶ ἄνδρα οὐ
NAS: can this be, since I am a virgin?
KJV: this be, seeing I know not
INT: will be this since a man not

John 13:29 Conj
GRK: γὰρ ἐδόκουν ἐπεὶ τὸ γλωσσόκομον
NAS: were supposing, because Judas
KJV: [of them] thought, because Judas
INT: indeed thought since the moneybag

John 19:31 Conj
GRK: οὖν Ἰουδαῖοι ἐπεὶ παρασκευὴ ἦν
KJV: therefore, because it was
INT: Therefore [the] Jews because [the] preparation it was

Romans 3:6 Conj
GRK: μὴ γένοιτο ἐπεὶ πῶς κρινεῖ
NAS: May it never be! For otherwise, how
KJV: God forbid: for then how shall
INT: never may it be otherwise how will judge

Romans 11:6 Conj
GRK: ἐξ ἔργων ἐπεὶ ἡ χάρις
NAS: of works, otherwise grace
KJV: of works: otherwise grace is
INT: of works otherwise grace

Romans 11:6 Conj
GRK: ἐστὶν χάρις ἐπεὶ τὸ ἔργον
KJV: no more grace: otherwise work is
INT: is it grace else work

Romans 11:22 Conj
GRK: τῇ χρηστότητι ἐπεὶ καὶ σὺ
NAS: in His kindness; otherwise you also
KJV: in [his] goodness: otherwise thou
INT: the kindness otherwise also you

1 Corinthians 5:10 Conj
GRK: ἢ εἰδωλολάτραις ἐπεὶ ὠφείλετε ἄρα
KJV: with idolaters; for then
INT: or idolaters since you ought then

1 Corinthians 7:14 Conj
GRK: τῷ ἀδελφῷ ἐπεὶ ἄρα τὰ
NAS: her believing husband; for otherwise your children
INT: the husband else then the

1 Corinthians 14:12 Conj
GRK: καὶ ὑμεῖς ἐπεὶ ζηλωταί ἐστε
NAS: also you, since you are zealous
KJV: so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous
INT: also you since zealous you are

1 Corinthians 14:16 Conj
GRK: ἐπεὶ ἐὰν εὐλογῇς
NAS: Otherwise if you bless
KJV: Else when thou shalt bless
INT: Else if you bless

1 Corinthians 15:29 Conj
GRK: Ἐπεὶ τί ποιήσουσιν
NAS: Otherwise, what will those
KJV: Else what shall they do
INT: otherwise what will they do

2 Corinthians 11:18 Conj
GRK: ἐπεὶ πολλοὶ καυχῶνται
NAS: Since many boast
KJV: Seeing that many glory
INT: Since many boast

2 Corinthians 13:3 Conj
GRK: ἐπεὶ δοκιμὴν ζητεῖτε
NAS: since you are seeking for proof
KJV: Since ye seek a proof
INT: Since a proof you seek

Hebrews 2:14 Conj
GRK: ἐπεὶ οὖν τὰ
NAS: Therefore, since the children share
KJV: Forasmuch then as the children
INT: Since therefore the

Hebrews 4:6 Conj
GRK: ἐπεὶ οὖν ἀπολείπεται
NAS: Therefore, since it remains for some
KJV: Seeing therefore it remaineth
INT: Since therefore it remains [for]

Hebrews 5:2 Conj
GRK: καὶ πλανωμένοις ἐπεὶ καὶ αὐτὸς
NAS: and misguided, since he himself
KJV: on them that are out of the way; for that he
INT: and erring since also himself

Hebrews 5:11 Conj
GRK: δυσερμήνευτος λέγειν ἐπεὶ νωθροὶ γεγόνατε
NAS: and [it is] hard to explain, since you have become
KJV: hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull
INT: difficult in interpretation to speak since sluggish you have become

Hebrews 6:13 Conj
GRK: ὁ θεός ἐπεὶ κατ' οὐδενὸς
NAS: to Abraham, since He could
KJV: to Abraham, because he could
INT: God since by no one

Hebrews 9:17 Conj
GRK: νεκροῖς βεβαία ἐπεὶ μὴ τότε
KJV: men are dead: otherwise it is of
INT: death [is] affirmed since not then

Hebrews 9:26 Conj
GRK: ἐπεὶ ἔδει αὐτὸν
NAS: Otherwise, He would have needed
KJV: For then must he
INT: since it was necessary for him

Strong's Greek 1893
27 Occurrences


ἐπεὶ — 27 Occ.

1892
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