The Greek word énochos, represented by G1777, signifies being liable to a condition, penalty, or imputation. It appears 10 times across 8 unique verses in the Bible and is variously translated as 'in danger of', 'guilty of', or 'subject to'.
In scripture, G1777 is used to describe liability in both legal and spiritual contexts. It denotes being in danger of judgment for actions like killing or even being angry with a brother Matthew 5:21-22. The term is used in a formal legal sense, as when the council condemned Jesus as 'guilty of death' Mark 14:64. It also carries significant spiritual weight, describing someone who partakes of the Lord's cup unworthily as 'guilty of the body and blood of the Lord' 1 Corinthians 11:27, or someone who blasphemes the Holy Ghost as 'in danger of eternal damnation' Mark 3:29.
Several related words help clarify the conditions and consequences associated with being énochos:
- G3551 nómos (law): This word for law provides the standard against which guilt is measured. To offend in one point of the law is to become guilty of all James 2:10.
- G4417 ptaíō (to err, sin, fail): This word for offending or stumbling is the action that makes one guilty G1777. It signifies tripping or erring from the path set by the law James 2:10.
- G2288 thánatos (death): This is a frequent penalty one can be guilty of. It is used in the context of a literal sentence Mark 14:64 and as the source of fear Hebrews 2:15.
- G1397 douleía (bondage): This describes a state of slavery. Those who fear death are described as being subject to bondage their entire lives Hebrews 2:15.
The theological weight of G1777 is significant, highlighting several key principles:
- Accountability for Inner Sin: G1777 is used to show that liability extends beyond physical acts. In Matthew 5:22, being angry G3710 with a brother makes one in danger of the judgment, and calling someone a fool G3474 makes one in danger of hell fire G1067.
- The Indivisible Nature of the Law: The concept of guilt is total. According to James 2:10, to offend G4417 in one part of the law G3551 makes a person guilty of breaking all of it, highlighting the law's comprehensive authority.
- Sacred Responsibility: The term underscores the seriousness of religious observance. One who eats and drinks of the Lord's cup unworthily G371 is guilty of the body and blood of the Lord G2962, indicating a severe spiritual penalty for irreverence 1 Corinthians 11:27.
- Humanity's Universal Condition: Before Christ's deliverance, humanity is portrayed as being subject to bondage G1397 for a lifetime due to the fear of death G2288 Hebrews 2:15. G1777 here describes a universal state of liability.
In summary, G1777 énochos is a powerful term that conveys liability, guilt, and being subject to a penalty. It moves beyond simple legal guilt for actions like murder to include the inner states of anger and contempt Matthew 5:22. It establishes the principle that the law is a unified whole James 2:10 and that sacred acts carry profound responsibility 1 Corinthians 11:27. Ultimately, it defines a state of being—whether guilty of death or subject to bondage—from which deliverance is necessary.
TRV