### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word ἔνοχος (enochos) is derived from the verb ἐνέχω (enechō), which means "to hold in," "to be entangled in," or "to be held fast by." This etymological root informs the core meaning of ἔνοχος as being "held in" or "bound by" something, leading to the primary senses of "liable," "subject to," or "guilty of." Its semantic range encompasses:
* **Legal Culpability:** Being "guilty of" a specific charge, crime, or offense, deserving of punishment.
* **Exposure to Danger or Penalty:** Being "in danger of" a particular consequence, judgment, or condemnation.
* **Subjection to a Condition or Obligation:** Being "subject to" or "bound by" a specific state, law, or requirement, which may or may not imply guilt in every instance but always signifies being under its influence or control.
The term consistently implies a state of being bound by or responsible for something, often carrying negative connotations related to accountability and potential adverse consequences.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ἔνοχος appears 8 times in the New Testament, offering significant insights into its usage:
* **[[Matthew 5:21-22]]**: In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus radically redefines the scope of sin, extending it beyond overt acts to include internal dispositions. He states that "everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment" (ἔνοχος ἔσται τῇ κρίσει) and "whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire" (ἔνοχος ἔσται εἰς τὴν γέενναν τοῦ πυρός). Here, ἔνοχος denotes a state of legal and eschatological culpability, emphasizing that even internal attitudes and verbal abuse render one accountable before God's judgment.
* **[[Matthew 26:66]] / [[Mark 14:64]]**: During Jesus' trial before the Sanhedrin, after His affirmation of being the Son of God, the high priest and assembly declare Him "worthy of death" or "liable to death" (ἔνοχος θανάτου). This is a direct legal verdict, proclaiming Jesus guilty and deserving of the death penalty according to their interpretation of the law.
* **[[Mark 3:29]]**: Jesus warns against blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, stating that "whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin" (ἔνοχός ἐστιν αἰωνίου ἁμαρτήματος). In this unique context, ἔνοχος describes being "guilty of" or "subject to" a sin whose consequences are eternal and unforgivable, highlighting the profound gravity of such an offense.
* **[[1 Corinthians 11:27]]**: Paul instructs the Corinthian believers regarding the proper observance of the Lord's Supper. He warns that "whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord" (ἔνοχος ἔσται τοῦ σώματος καὶ τοῦ αἵματος τοῦ Κυρίου). Here, ἔνοχος signifies being "liable to" or "responsible for" profaning the sacred elements, implying that irreverent participation incurs divine judgment for disrespecting Christ's sacrifice.
* **[[Hebrews 2:15]]**: The author describes humanity's pre-Christ condition, noting that Jesus came to deliver "those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery" (ἔνοχοι ἦσαν δουλείας). In this instance, ἔνοχος means "subject to" or "held in" a condition (slavery), illustrating a broader semantic range beyond strictly legal guilt to include a state of bondage or subjection.
* **[[James 2:10]]**: James makes a profound declaration about the indivisible nature of the Law: "For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it" (ἔνοχος πάντων γέγονεν). This statement asserts that breaking even a single commandment renders one "liable to" or "guilty concerning" the entire Law, underscoring the comprehensive and absolute standard of divine righteousness.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of ἔνοχος is intimately connected with several other key biblical terms and theological ideas:
* **Legal and Moral Culpability:**
* ἁμαρτία (hamartia, `{{G266}}`): Sin, missing the mark. ἔνοχος describes the state of being held accountable for ἁμαρτία.
* ἀδικία (adikia, `{{G93}}`): Unrighteousness, injustice. One who is ἔνοχος is often characterized by ἀδικία.
* κρίμα (krima, `{{G2917}}`): Judgment, condemnation. Being ἔνοχος often means being subject to κρίμα.
* δίκη (dikē, `{{G1349}}`): Justice, retribution, punishment. The consequence for one who is ἔνοχος.
* κατακρίνω (katakrinō, `{{G2632}}`): To condemn. The action that declares one ἔνοχος.
* **State of Being/Bondage:**
* δουλεία (douleia, `{{G1397}}`): Slavery, bondage. As seen in [[Hebrews 2:15]], ἔνοχος can describe being subjected to such a state.
* ὑποτάσσω (hypotassō, `{{G5293}}`): To subject, to put under obedience. While not synonymous, ἔνοχος can describe the state of being under the authority or power of something.
* **Opposites/Antonyms:**
* δίκαιος (dikaios, `{{G1342}}`): Righteous, just. This stands in stark contrast to being ἔνοχος (guilty).
* ἀθῷος (athōos, `{{G175}}`): Innocent, guiltless. Though not frequently used in the NT as a direct antonym, it represents the opposite legal status.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ἔνοχος is profound, touching upon core doctrines of sin, judgment, and salvation:
1. **Universal Human Guilt before God:** The declaration in [[James 2:10]] that breaking one point of the law makes one "guilty of all" powerfully establishes the comprehensive nature of human sinfulness. This reveals that all humanity stands ἔνοχος before the perfect standard of God's holy law, dismantling any self-justifying claims of partial obedience. It underscores the absolute necessity of divine grace for salvation.
2. **The Seriousness of Sin (Internal and External):** Jesus' teaching in [[Matthew 5:21-22]] expands the understanding of sin beyond outward actions to encompass the heart's disposition. Anger and contempt, not just murder, render one "liable to judgment" and "hell." This highlights that the internal state, the very thoughts and intentions, make one ἔνοχος before God, deepening the gravity and pervasive nature of sin.
3. **Profaning the Sacred and Divine Judgment:** The warning in [[1 Corinthians 11:27]] concerning unworthy participation in the Lord's Supper demonstrates that disrespect for sacred ordinances makes one "guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord." This emphasizes the holiness of Christ's sacrifice and the seriousness of approaching divine institutions irreverently, indicating that such actions incur divine displeasure or judgment.
4. **The Unique and Unforgivable Sin:** [[Mark 3:29]] presents the solemn concept of being ἔνοχος of an "eternal sin" through blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. This specific and unrepentant rejection of the Spirit's testimony about Christ results in a permanent and unforgivable state of guilt, serving as a dire warning against ultimate spiritual rebellion.
5. **Christ as the Innocent One Declared Guilty:** The most poignant theological application of ἔνοχος is found in the unjust declaration of Jesus as "liable to death" by the Sanhedrin ([[Matthew 26:66]]). The truly innocent Son of God was declared ἔνοχος by human courts, bearing the guilt and penalty that rightfully belonged to sinful humanity. This event is central to the doctrine of substitutionary atonement, where Christ, though sinless, became ἔνοχος on our behalf, so that those who are truly ἔνοχος might be declared righteous in Him.
### Summary
ἔνοχος (enochos) fundamentally describes a state of being "liable to," "guilty of," or "subject to" a condition, penalty, or imputation, rooted in the idea of being "held in" or "bound by" something. Its biblical usage consistently highlights accountability, particularly in a legal or moral sense before God. From Jesus' expansion of sin to include internal attitudes ([[Matthew 5:21-22]]) to James's declaration that breaking one part of the law makes one "guilty of all" ([[James 2:10]]), ἔνοχος underscores humanity's universal culpability and the comprehensive nature of sin. It also describes being subject to conditions like the fear of death ([[Hebrews 2:15]]) and warns against profaning sacred things ([[1 Corinthians 11:27]]). Most profoundly, the unjust pronouncement of Jesus as "liable to death" ([[Matthew 26:66]]) reveals the heart of the Gospel: the innocent Christ bore the guilt of humanity, offering redemption to those who are truly ἔνοχος, thereby magnifying the depth of God's grace and the necessity of His redemptive work.
TRV