Epei is a conjunction that bridges two distinct logical functions in the New Testament: causal reasoning ('since, because') and counterfactual consequence ('otherwise, else'). In its causal use, it introduces established facts as the ground of an inference — 'since you say that I am a king' (cf. Matt 18:32; Luke 1:34). In its counterfactual use, it signals what would follow if a preceding condition were not true: Paul's argument in 1 Corinthians hinges on this — 'otherwise, what will those who are baptized for the dead do?' (1 Cor 15:29). Hebrews employs the counterfactual sense repeatedly: Christ would have had to suffer many times 'since the foundation of the world' (Heb 9:26), and sacrifices would never have ceased if the worshipers had truly been cleansed (Heb 10:2). Spanish distinguishes the two senses as 'ya que' versus 'de lo contrario,' while German uses 'da' for both, relying on context.