Lexical Summary charin: For the sake of, on account of, because of Original Word: χάριν Strong's Exhaustive Concordance in favor ofAccusative case of charis as preposition; through favor of, i.e. On account of -- be-(for) cause of, for sake of, +...fore, X reproachfully. see GREEK charis HELPS Word-studies 5484 xárin (from 5485 /xáris, "grace") – properly, favor which furnishes the reason to take action (i.e. to be "actionable"); "for this cause," "for the sake of" (R, 647). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originacc. of charis, used as preposition Definition in favor of, for the pleasure of NASB Translation because (1), reason (5), sake (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5484: χάρινχάριν, accusative of the substantive, χάρις used absolutely; properly, in favor of, for lite pleasure of: χάριν ἑκτορος, Homer, Iliad 15, 744, others; 1 Macc. 9:10; Judith 8:19; like the Latin abl.gratia, it takes on completely the nature of a preposition, and is joined to the genitive, for, on account of, for the sake of; Galatians 3:19 (on which see παραβοσις); 1 Timothy 5:14; Titus 1:11; Jude 1:16; τούτου χάριν, on this account, for this cause, Ephesians 3:1 (Xenophon, mem. 1, 2, 54); τούτου χάριν ἵνα, Ephesians 3:14 (cf. Winer's Grammar, 566 (526)); Titus 1:5; οὗ χάριν, for which cause, Luke 7:47; χάριν τίνος; for what cause? wherefore? 1 John 3:12. Except in 1 John 3:12, χάριν is everywhere in the N. T. placed after the genitive, as it generally is in secular authors (cf. Passow, under the word, I. 3 a., p. 2416{b}; Herm. ad Vig., p. 701); in the O. T. Apocrypha it is placed sometimes before, sometimes after; cf. Wahl, Clavis Apocr., under the word 6 b.; Grimm on 1 Macc. 3:29. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Nuance Strong’s 5484 (χάριν) functions as a causal or purposive preposition—“for the sake of,” “because of,” “on account of.” Built on the stem of χάρις (“grace”), it carries an undertone of gracious motivation: the reason given is never detached from God’s benevolent or just order but points to a larger redemptive purpose. Old Testament and Cultural Background In the Septuagint, χάριν often renders Hebrew terms such as לְמַעַן (lēma‘an, “in order that”) or עֵקֶב (ʿeqev, “because”), merging cause with covenant favor. Classical Greek used χάριν with both the genitive (“for the benefit of”) and the accusative (“because of”), and the New Testament writers adopt the genitive construction almost exclusively, reflecting the gospel’s accent on grace-driven purpose. Distribution in the New Testament Nine occurrences appear across narrative, doctrinal, and pastoral contexts: Luke 7:47; Galatians 3:19; Ephesians 3:1; Ephesians 3:14; 1 Timothy 5:14; Titus 1:5; Titus 1:11; 1 John 3:12; Jude 1:16. Although few in number, they span the breadth of Christian life—salvation, law, mission, family order, church discipline, ethics, and eschatological warning. Representative Passages • Luke 7:47—“Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven, for she loved much.” The woman’s manifest love is cited as the gracious occasion for forgiveness, not its meritorious ground. Doctrinal Implications 1. Grace-rooted Causality: By deriving from χάρις, the term subtly reminds readers that every divine purpose is saturated with unmerited favor, even when the immediate cause is human sin (Galatians 3:19). Ministerial Application • Preaching: Use χάριν texts to show how biblical commands are never arbitrary; they are tethered to redemptive aims. Intertextual Connections The formula “for this reason” (Ephesians 3:14) echoes Jesus’ explanation of parables (Matthew 13:13) and John’s rationale for writing his Gospel (John 20:31). Each instance links divine revelation to a saving outcome, underscoring Scripture’s unified purpose. Christological Bearings Although χάριν never directly names Christ, every cause it introduces ultimately converges on Him. The law is added “for transgressions” until the Seed—Christ—comes (Galatians 3:19). Paul’s chains exist “for the sake of” Gentiles incorporated into Christ (Ephesians 3:1). Even negative uses (Jude 1:16) heighten the contrast between self-seeking speech and the self-sacrificial Word made flesh. Practical Reflection Believers are called to examine motives: Are decisions made χάριν ἑαυτῶν (“for our own sake”) or χάριν Χριστοῦ (“for Christ’s sake”)? The New Testament testimonies press the church to filter every ambition, strategy, and relationship through the lens of gracious purpose. Summary Strong’s 5484 paints a concise but vivid portrait of causation shaped by grace. Whether explaining forgiveness, delineating the law’s role, legitimizing church order, or unmasking false motives, χάριν consistently directs attention to God’s overarching design and invites His people to align their reasons with His redeeming intent. Forms and Transliterations χαριν χάριν χάρις χάριτα χάριτας χάριτι χάριτί χάριτος χαρίτων charin chárinLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 7:47 AdvGRK: οὗ χάριν λέγω σοι NAS: For this reason I say INT: this therefore I say to you Galatians 3:19 Adv Ephesians 3:1 Adv Ephesians 3:14 Adv 1 Timothy 5:14 Adv Titus 1:5 Adv Titus 1:11 Adv 1 John 3:12 Adv Jude 1:16 Adv |
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