εἰκῇ (eikē)
eikē
in vain
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adverb eikē describes an action that lacks a valid reason or produces no real result. It translates to "in vain" or "without cause," pointing to efforts that are either baseless or ultimately fruitless. In Matthew 5:22, Jesus uses it to condemn anger directed at a brother without justification, highlighting how such hostility serves no righteous purpose.
This word appears frequently in Paul’s letters to warn believers against wasted energy. In Galatians 3:4 and 1 Corinthians 15:2, he asks if his labor among them was spent eikē, meaning it would have been entirely pointless if their faith had not endured. The term emphasizes that spiritual work must yield genuine transformation rather than empty ritual.
Etymologically, the word likely stems from a root idea of failure or lack of success. This connection reinforces its theological weight: actions done eikē are those disconnected from God’s purpose. Translators consistently render it as "in vain" to capture this sense of futile effort that fails to achieve its intended divine goal.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word eikē reminds us that our efforts matter when they are rooted in God’s truth. It describes actions that lack a solid foundation or produce no lasting fruit. When we act without this grounding, our energy dissipates like smoke. This is not about perfection but about direction. Are our daily choices aligned with the gospel, or are we merely busy?
Paul used this term to ask if his preaching had been pointless. His concern was whether believers would hold fast to the message. If faith does not endure, even good intentions can become empty rituals. This word calls us to examine the purpose behind our labor. It invites us to ensure that what we do builds up rather than tears down.
Jesus applied this concept to anger, showing how hostility without cause harms the soul. He warns that such attitudes disconnect us from His peace. We are invited to check our hearts and seek reconciliation. When our actions reflect God’s love, they carry weight and meaning. This perspective helps us live with intentionality and hope.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- in vain4×
- vainly1×
- in vain?1×
- in vain!1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- εἰκῇ4×
- εἰκῇ;1×
- εἰκῇ.¶1×
- εἰκῆ1×
Key Verses
-
I Corinthians 15:2
by which also you are saved, if you hold firmly the word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
Paul uses this word to warn that faith must endure the message preached, or else belief is empty.
-
Galatians 3:4
Did you suffer so many things in vain, if it is indeed in vain?
Here the term highlights the risk that suffering for Christ would be pointless if the Galatians abandon the truth.
-
Matthew 5:22
But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause will be in danger of the judgment. Whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ will be in danger of the council. Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of Gehenna.
Jesus identifies anger without cause as a futile act that leads to spiritual danger rather than resolution.