from ἔχω; habit, i.e. (by implication) practice:--use.
Transliteration:héxis
Pronunciation:hex'-is
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term *héxis* (`{{G1838}}`) derives from the verb *echō* (`{{G2192}}`), meaning "to have," "to hold," or "to possess." In its root sense, *héxis* denotes a state of having or holding something, which naturally extends to an acquired state, a disposition, or a habit. Unlike a fleeting emotion or a temporary condition, *héxis* implies a stable, enduring quality or an acquired proficiency that results from repeated action or experience. It signifies a settled disposition, a trained capacity, or a habitual practice. In philosophical contexts, particularly Aristotelian ethics, *héxis* refers to a stable moral disposition, a virtue, or a vice, developed through consistent choices and actions. The base definition provided—"habit, i.e. (by implication) practice:--use"—accurately captures this semantic range, emphasizing the practical outcome of a developed state.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term *héxis* (`{{G1838}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, in the Epistle to the Hebrews:
* **Hebrews 5:14**: "But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil." [[Hebrews 5:14]]
In this pivotal verse, *héxis* is translated as "constant practice" or "habitual use." The author of Hebrews contrasts the "milk" of elementary doctrines, suitable for infants, with the "solid food" appropriate for the mature. Maturity is characterized by the ability to discern good from evil, a faculty that is not innate or passively received but "trained by constant practice" (γεγυμνασμένα ἔχουσι διὰ τὴν ἕξιν). The phrase "διὰ τὴν ἕξιν" (through *héxis*) underscores that this spiritual discernment is an acquired skill, developed through repeated application and experience. It implies a disciplined engagement with truth and righteousness over time, leading to a refined spiritual sensitivity. The "powers of discernment" (*aisthētēria*) are not merely intellectual capacities but spiritual senses, akin to the physical senses, which become sharp and reliable through consistent exercise and habituation in distinguishing between what is truly good and what is deceptively evil. This single occurrence is profoundly significant, linking spiritual maturity directly to the disciplined, habitual engagement with God's truth.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **`{{G2192}}` *echō***: The root verb, meaning "to have" or "to hold." *Héxis* is the state of having or holding something, specifically an acquired disposition or habit.
* **`{{G1129}}` *gymnazō***: "To exercise," "to train." This verb is used in [[Hebrews 5:14]] ("trained by constant practice"), directly preceding *héxis*, highlighting the active discipline involved in developing spiritual discernment.
* **`{{G1456}}` *egkratēs***: "Self-controlled," "master of oneself." This term describes one who has a firm grip or control over their impulses and desires, reflecting a developed inner disposition akin to a *héxis*.
* **`{{G3979}}` *peira***: "A trial," "an experience." While *héxis* emphasizes the *result* of repeated experience (a habit), *peira* refers to the experience itself, often in the context of testing or proving.
* **`{{G1097}}` *ginōskō***: "To know," often implying experiential or intimate knowledge. Spiritual discernment, developed through *héxis*, leads to a deeper, more profound knowledge of God's ways.
* **Concepts**: Spiritual maturity, discernment, discipline, habituation, practice, wisdom, sanctification. The idea of *héxis* underscores that spiritual growth is not automatic but requires active, consistent engagement and the formation of righteous habits.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of *héxis* in [[Hebrews 5:14]] carries immense theological weight. It profoundly shapes our understanding of Christian maturity and the process of spiritual formation. The passage distinguishes between spiritual infancy and maturity, asserting that true maturity is marked by an active, trained capacity for discernment. This is not merely intellectual assent to doctrine but a practical ability to distinguish good from evil in the complexities of life.
The theological significance of *héxis* lies in several key areas:
1. **Active Participation in Growth**: It refutes any notion of passive spiritual growth. Maturity is not simply a matter of aging in faith or accumulating knowledge, but of actively "training" one's spiritual senses through "constant practice." This implies consistent engagement with Scripture, prayer, obedience, and the application of truth to daily life.
2. **The Nature of Discernment**: Discernment is presented as a skill, a spiritual faculty that is honed through repetition. It is not an esoteric gift reserved for a few, but a capability that all mature believers are expected to cultivate through diligent effort. This discernment is crucial for navigating moral complexities and resisting deception.
3. **Beyond Elementary Doctrines**: The call to move beyond "milk" to "solid food" is a call to deeper engagement with truth, which requires the developed capacity (*héxis*) to process and apply it. This challenges believers to move past foundational principles to a robust, nuanced understanding and application of God's Word.
4. **Holistic Transformation**: *Héxis* suggests that Christian life involves the formation of new habits—habits of thought, action, and spiritual perception—that align with God's character. This is central to the process of sanctification, where believers are progressively conformed to the image of Christ through consistent obedience and spiritual discipline.
### Summary
The Greek word *héxis* (`{{G1838}}`) denotes a stable disposition, an acquired habit, or a trained proficiency resulting from consistent practice. Its sole New Testament occurrence in [[Hebrews 5:14]] is profoundly significant, revealing that spiritual maturity is characterized by a developed capacity for discernment. This discernment is not innate but is "trained by constant practice" (*héxis*), emphasizing the active, disciplined, and habitual engagement required to distinguish good from evil. Theologically, *héxis* underscores that Christian growth is an active process of forming righteous spiritual habits, moving beyond elementary doctrines to a mature, practical application of truth, and cultivating a refined spiritual sensitivity essential for navigating the complexities of faith and life.
TRV