εἴκω

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word eíkō, represented by G1503, is a verb meaning to resemble or be like. It appears only 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible. Its function is to create a direct comparison, likening a person's spiritual state to a tangible, physical image.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, G1503 serves to illustrate two negative spiritual conditions. In James, a person who wavers in their faith is said to be like a wave of the sea that is driven by the wind and tossed James 1:6. The word is also used to describe a person who is merely a hearer of the word and not a doer; this individual is like a man who looks at his own face in a mirror and immediately forgets his appearance James 1:23.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words are used in conjunction with G1503 to build these comparisons:

• G1252 diakrínō (to... waver): This word describes the spiritual instability that prompts the comparison. The one who "wavereth" is the subject who is then likened to something else James 1:6.
• G2830 klýdōn (a surge of the sea... wave): This is the object of the comparison in the first use of G1503, providing a vivid image of instability James 1:6.
• G2657 katanoéō (to observe fully... behold, consider): This action of "beholding" is central to the second simile, where a forgetful hearer is compared to a man who only briefly considers his reflection James 1:23.
• G4383 prósōpon (the... countenance... face): This term for "face" is what the man in the second comparison beholds in a glass, representing the truth he observes but fails to retain James 1:23.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G1503 comes from the powerful illustrations it creates for key principles of faith.

• The Instability of Doubt: The comparison in James 1:6 is a warning against double-mindedness. By likening a wavering person to a tossed wave G2830, the text emphasizes that a lack of faith results in an unstable and unpredictable spiritual life.
• The Ineffectiveness of Passive Hearing: The simile in James 1:23 critiques a faith that is not put into practice. A hearer who does not act is like someone who looks in a mirror; the knowledge is superficial and has no lasting effect on the person's character or actions.

Summary

In summary, while rare, G1503 is a significant word used to construct memorable and convicting similes. It bridges the gap between an abstract spiritual concept—such as doubt or inaction—and a concrete, easily understood image. Its use in scripture serves as a potent reminder that faith must be stable, active, and transformative, not merely observational or fleeting.