ἐπειδή (epeidē)
epeidē
since
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The conjunction epeidē serves as a logical connector in the New Testament, translating most naturally to "since" or "seeing that." It introduces a premise that explains the reason for what follows. While it can occasionally mark time, meaning "after that," its primary function is causal, linking an action to its underlying cause or justification.
This word appears ten times across the New Testament, with notable usage in Luke, Acts, and Paul’s letters. For instance, Paul uses it to ground his arguments in shared facts, such as when he notes that God chose the foolish things of the world in 1 Corinthians 1:27. In Acts 15:24, it introduces a statement of fact regarding the trouble caused by certain individuals, providing the reason for the apostles' letter.
Its etymology combines the sense of "after" with "this," creating a bridge between an established reality and a conclusion drawn from it. Translators typically render it as "since" to capture this explanatory force, distinguishing it from simple temporal markers by emphasizing the logical weight of the preceding clause.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ἐπειδὴ (epeidē) functions as a bridge in our thinking, connecting what we know to what we need to believe. It translates most naturally to “since” or “seeing that,” signaling that the reason for an action is already established fact. When you encounter this term in Scripture, it invites you to pause and consider the foundation of an argument. It reminds us that Christian logic is not abstract; it is built on realities we can observe and truths we have received.
This conjunction helps ground our faith in concrete history rather than vague feelings. For example, Paul uses it in 1 Corinthians 15:21 to link the reality of human death with the promise of resurrection. He does not ask us to believe in isolation but points to the causal chain established by God. Understanding this word can deepen your appreciation for how Scripture builds its case, showing that our hope rests on solid, unshakeable premises.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- since3×
- Since2×
- but since1×
- because1×
- Seeing that1×
- Inasmuch as1×
- And since1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐπειδὴ7×
- Ἐπειδὴ3×
Key Verses
-
Acts 15:24
Because we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, ‘You must be circumcised and keep the law,’ to whom we gave no commandment;
Here epeidē introduces the factual basis for the apostolic letter, explaining why the church needed to address the confusion caused by certain teachers.
-
Acts 13:46
Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, and said, “It was necessary that God’s word should be spoken to you first. Since indeed you thrust it from yourselves, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.
The word marks a decisive turn in mission strategy, grounding the shift to the Gentiles in the specific rejection by the Jewish audience.