"once for all, Rom. 6:10; Heb. 7:27; 9:12; 10:10; at once, 1 Cor. 15:6*"
Definition and meaning
once for all, Rom. 6:10; Heb. 7:27; 9:12; 10:10; at once, 1 Cor. 15:6*
In the original Greek the word is written: ἐφάπαξ
Historical context
Paul wrote Romans from Corinth, one of the most important commercial cities in the empire. Rome had a Jewish population of around 50,000. The letter addresses real tensions between Jewish believers with centuries of Torah tradition and Gentile believers with no such background. Emperor Nero was on the throne. Within ten years he would execute both Paul and Peter.
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 ephapax (G2178) across the King James Bible.
For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
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Common questions
Strong's G2178 (ephapax) is a Greek word that means: once for all, Rom. 6:10; Heb. 7:27; 9:12; 10:10; at once, 1 Cor. 15:6* It appears 5 times in the King James Bible.
The word ephapax (G2178) appears 5 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2178 is ephapax, a Greek word defined as: once for all, Rom. 6:10; Heb. 7:27; 9:12; 10:10; at once, 1 Cor. 15:6*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
ephapax is a Greek word found in the New Testament.