καίπερ (kaiper)
kaiper
although
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The word kaiper functions as a concessive particle meaning "although" or "even though." It appears in only five New Testament verses, primarily within Hebrews, Philippians, and Second Peter. Its role is to introduce a circumstance that might seem to contradict the main statement, yet does not prevent it from being true.
In these texts, kaiper often links with participles to highlight tension. For example, Hebrews 5:8 uses it to describe how Jesus learned obedience through suffering, acknowledging the reality of His pain while affirming His divine sonship. Similarly, Philippians 3:4 employs it to contrast Paul’s impressive human credentials with his ultimate view of them as loss for Christ’s sake.
The term combines the intensifier kai ("and") with per ("though"), creating a sense of "and yet" or "even though." This construction allows writers to present a difficult truth without denying its weight. Translators typically render it simply as "although," preserving the logical concession without adding extra emotional commentary.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kaiper carries the weight of "although," acknowledging a real difficulty without letting it stop God’s purpose. In Hebrews 5:8, Jesus learned obedience through suffering. His pain was true, yet it did not break His sonship. This shows that your struggles do not disqualify you from God’s plan.
Paul used this same word in Philippians 3:4 to set aside his own impressive background. He had every reason to boast, but he chose Christ instead. When you face moments where your past or your pain seems to argue against hope, kaiper reminds you that grace is stronger than those obstacles.
God does not ignore your hardships. He walks through them with you. The tension between what is hard and what is true is where faith grows. You are held by a love that sees your struggle and still calls you good.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- though4×
- although1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- καίπερ5×
Key Verses
-
Hebrews 5:8
though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered.
This occurrence highlights how Jesus’ divine status did not shield Him from suffering, showing that obedience can be refined through pain.
-
Philippians 3:4
though I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If any other man thinks that he has confidence in the flesh, I yet more:
Paul uses it to concede the validity of his human credentials before declaring them worthless compared to knowing Christ.
-
II Peter 1:12
Therefore I will not be negligent to remind you of these things, though you know them and are established in the present truth.
Peter acknowledges that his readers already know the truth, yet insists on reminding them because repetition strengthens established faith.