ἐφάπαξ

once, once for all

Definition

The adverb ἐφάπαξ means 'once for all' or 'once and for all,' emphasizing a single, definitive, and unrepeatable action. In the New Testament, it primarily describes the finality of Christ's sacrificial death, as in Hebrews 9:12, where He entered the holy place 'once for all' to secure eternal redemption. In Romans 6:10, it underscores that Christ died to sin 'once for all,' a death that does not need repetition. The word can also carry a temporal sense of 'at one time' or 'on one occasion,' as seen in 1 Corinthians 15:6, where Christ appeared to over five hundred brothers 'at one time.'

Biblical Usage

ἐφάπαξ is used five times in the New Testament, predominantly in the epistles to highlight the sufficiency and finality of Christ's work. In Hebrews (7:27; 9:12; 10:10), it consistently emphasizes the once-for-all nature of His priesthood and sacrifice, contrasting with the repeated offerings of the old covenant. Romans 6:10 uses it to describe the definitive nature of Christ's death to sin. The sole non-theological usage is in 1 Corinthians 15:6, referring to a single, past appearance of the risen Christ to many witnesses.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek ἐπί (epi, 'upon') and ἅπαξ (hapax, 'once'), the compound ἐφάπαξ literally means 'upon one time.' Ἅπαξ itself is a numeral adverb meaning 'a single time.' The combination intensifies the sense of a singular, definitive occurrence, often with a connotation of permanence or completeness.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically crucial for understanding the doctrine of atonement. It affirms that Christ's sacrifice was completely sufficient and never needs repeating, unlike the repeated sacrifices of the Old Testament (Hebrews 10:10-12). This underscores the finished work of Christ, providing assurance of eternal salvation and highlighting the new covenant's superiority. Grasping this Greek term enriches Bible reading by clarifying the definitive nature of redemption in Christ.

In the Greco-Roman world and Jewish context, repeated rituals and sacrifices were common for atonement and purification. The concept of a single, all-sufficient act would have been striking, challenging the prevailing religious mindset of ongoing ritual observance. It presented a radical shift from cyclical religious practice to a historical, completed event.

ἅπαξ (hapax, G530) — Means simply 'once' or 'one time,' without the strong connotation of finality; ποτέ (pote, G4218) — Means 'once' or 'at some time' in a general or indefinite sense.

Word Details

Scripture References