ἔκβασις (ekbasis)
ekbasis
way out
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun ekbasis literally means "a way out" or an exit. In the New Testament, it appears only twice, yet it carries significant weight in both instances. Paul uses it in 1 Corinthians 10:13 to describe God’s provision for believers facing temptation, assuring them that there is always a way of escape so they can endure without being broken.
Hebrews 13:7 applies the term differently, referring to the "issue" or outcome of a leader’s life. Here, it points not just to the end of physical existence, but to the manner in which a person closes their journey. The focus is on the final result of a faithful walk, highlighting how one’s spirit and conduct conclude their earthly service.
Etymologically, the word combines "ek" (out) with "basis" (a going), literally meaning "a going out." This root structure underscores its dual sense: a physical exit from danger and the final result of a life’s path. Translators often render it as "way of escape" or "outcome," capturing both the immediate relief from pressure and the long-term significance of how a life ends.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When pressure mounts and temptation feels like a wall with no exit, this word reminds us that God provides a way out. It is not always an escape from the trial itself, but a path through it that preserves our integrity. This assurance allows you to stand firm, knowing that endurance is possible because divine faithfulness undergirds every step.
Life also has a final direction. The same term describes the outcome of a leader’s conduct, pointing to how one’s journey concludes. It invites reflection on the legacy of those who guide us and encourages us to live with an eye toward the end. Your daily choices shape that final result, turning ordinary moments into a faithful witness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- outcome1×
- escape1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἔκβασιν2×
Key Verses
-
I Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
This verse uses the word to define God's specific provision of an escape route during temptation, ensuring believers can endure without being broken.
-
Hebrews 13:7
Remember your leaders, men who spoke to you the word of God, and considering the results of their conduct, imitate their faith.
Here the term shifts to describe the final outcome or result of a leader's conduct, serving as a model for imitating faith.