εἴπερ G1512
If indeed; since indeed; an emphatic conditional conjunction strengthening a supposition.
A compound particle fusing 'ei' (if) with 'per' (indeed/really), this conjunction intensifies a conditional clause beyond simple 'if.' Depending on context it can convey confident assumption ('since indeed,' as in Rom 8:9 where the Spirit's indwelling is treated as established fact) or concessive force ('even if,' as in 1 Cor 8:5). Paul favors it for theological argumentation where the condition being stated is either firmly believed or rhetorically granted. The Spanish 'si en verdad' and French 'si toutefois' both capture this heightened register of conditionality.
Senses
1. if indeed, since indeed, assuming that — An emphatic conditional meaning 'if indeed,' 'since indeed,' or 'even if,' strengthening the basic conditional particle 'ei' with 'per' to indicate that the supposition is weighty, confident, or concessive. In Rom 8:9 and 8:17 it introduces conditions treated as factually established ('since indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you'), while in 1 Cor 8:5 it grants a hypothetical concession ('even if there are so-called gods'). In 1 Cor 15:15 it underscores the gravity of the resurrection claim. All six Pauline occurrences serve the same rhetorical function of intensifying a conditional clause. 6×
AR["إن-كانَ", "إنْ-كانَ", "إِن-كانَ", "إِنْ-كَانَ", "إِنْ-كُنَّا", "وَ-إِنْ"]·ben["যদি", "যদি-সত্যই", "যদি-সত্যিই", "যদিও"]·DE["wenn-denn"]·EN["even-if", "if-indeed", "if-indeed-", "since-indeed"]·FR["si-toutefois", "wenn-denn"]·heb["אִם-אָכֵן", "אִם־אָכֵן", "גַּם-אִם"]·HI["यदि", "यदि-भी", "यदि-वास्तव-में", "यदि-सचमुच"]·ID["jika-memang", "kalau-memang", "seandainya"]·IT["eiper", "se-davvero"]·jav["manawi", "menawi", "menawi-pancèn", "menawi-ta"]·KO["만일", "만일-참으로", "만일에", "참으로-만약"]·PT["mesmo-se", "se-de-fato", "visto-que"]·RU["если-даже", "если-действительно", "если-действительно-", "если-только", "страдаем-вместе"]·ES["si-ciertamente", "si-en-verdad"]·SW["hata-kama", "ikiwa-kweli", "kama", "kwa-kuwa"]·TR["eğer-", "eğer-gerçekten", "ve-"]·urd["اگر", "اگر-واقعی", "اگرچہ"]
Related Senses
G3588 1. definite article (18298×)H0853 1. definite direct object marker (10915×)G2532 1. (8312×)H3068 1. YHWH (the divine name) (6522×)H0834a 1. relative pronoun (who/which/that) (4839×)H3588a 1. causal: because, for (3498×)G1161 1. and (2806×)H3478 1. Israel (proper name and nation) (2507×)G4771 1. you (plural address) (1853×)H1931 1. personal pronoun he/she/it (1431×)G3739 1. relative pronoun who/which/that (1149×)H1732 1. David (proper name) (1075×)H2088 1. this, this one (demonstrative) (1059×)G1063 1. (1047×)G3778 1. this thing, these things (1003×)H???? 2. (1002×)G2424 1. (924×)G3754 1. that (content clause) (881×)H2009 1. presentative particle: behold, look (881×)H0589 1. I (first person singular pronoun) (874×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
εἴπερ or εἴ περ, strengthened for εἰ, if really, if indeed, Refs 8th c.BC+; especially even if, even though, Refs 8th c.BC+; with words between, εἴ. γάρ τε χόλον γε.. Refs 8th c.BC+ __II in Attic dialect and Trag. to imply that the supposition agrees with the fact, if as is the fact, since, Refs 5th c.BC+; but with imperfect it implies that it is contrary to the fact, εἴπερ ἦν πέλας if I had been…