"without plan or system; without cause, rashly, Col. 2:18; to no purpose, in vain, Rom. 13:4; 1 Cor. 15:2; Gal. 3:4 (2x); 4:11*"
Definition and meaning
without plan or system; without cause, rashly, Col. 2:18; to no purpose, in vain, Rom. 13:4; 1 Cor. 15:2; Gal. 3:4 (2x); 4:11*
In the original Greek the word is written: εἰκῇ
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of eike (G1500) across the King James Bible.
But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.
Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
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Common questions
Strong's G1500 (eike) is a Greek word that means: without plan or system; without cause, rashly, Col. 2:18; to no purpose, in vain, Rom. 13:4; 1 Cor. 15:2; Gal. 3:4 (2x); 4:11* It appears 6 times in the King James Bible.
The word eike (G1500) appears 6 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1500 is eike, a Greek word defined as: without plan or system; without cause, rashly, Col. 2:18; to no purpose, in vain, Rom. 13:4; 1 Cor. 15:2; Gal. 3:4 (2x); 4:11*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
eike is a Greek word found in the New Testament.