Understanding εἷς καθ᾽ εἷς (heis kath’ heis) Strong’s G1527: The Profound Sequence of “One by One” in Biblical Communication

Pronunciation Guide: hice kath’ hice (with ‘h’ pronounced as in “house” and both instances of “ei” pronounced like the “i” in “fight”)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1527: The Greek expression εἷς καθ᾽ εἷς (heis kath’ heis) is an idiomatic phrase meaning “one by one,” “each one in turn,” or “one after another.” It emphasizes sequential, individual attention or action rather than addressing or treating things collectively. This expression conveys methodical, deliberate consideration of each separate item or person within a group, highlighting the importance of individual attention within community context.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Numerical phrase/adverbial expression
• Composition: Combination of εἷς (cardinal number “one”) + κατά (preposition) + εἷς (repeated cardinal number)
• Language Origin: Koine Greek
• Primary Usage: Narrative descriptions, instructional contexts, epistolary literature
• Syntactical Function: Adverbial modifier describing manner or sequence of actions

εἷς καθ᾽ εἷς Morphology:

• εἷς (nominative masculine singular) – one (subject position)
• ἑνός (genitive masculine singular) – of one
• ἑνί (dative masculine singular) – to/for one
• καθ᾽ (elided form of κατά before aspirated vowel) – according to, by
• καθ᾽ ἕνα – one by one (alternative form)

Origin & History

The expression εἷς καθ᾽ εἷς evolved from classical Greek compositional structures where the preposition κατά (kata) governs accusative objects to express distribution or apportionment. In classical Greek literature, similar distributive constructions appear in works like Thucydides’ “History of the Peloponnesian War,” where he describes events occurring “one after another” (κατὰ ἕν ἕκαστον).

The Septuagint (LXX) translation of the Hebrew Scriptures employs similar distributive expressions, particularly in narrative sequences requiring detailed, individual attention. For instance, in the description of the tabernacle construction in Exodus, the detailed accounting of items proceeds in ordered sequence. By the Koine Greek period of the New Testament, this expression had become a standardized idiom for expressing sequential, individualized action, reflecting the Jewish concern for careful, methodical adherence to sacred instruction.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Sequential individual focus – emphasizing the attention given to each person or item in succession
• Orderly progression – highlighting methodical movement from one element to the next
• Distributive allocation – indicating fair division or assignment on an individual basis
• Personal attention – stressing individual consideration within collective contexts
• Deliberate examination – suggesting careful scrutiny of each separate element

εἷς καθ᾽ εἷς Translation Options:

• “One by one” – captures the sequential nature while maintaining simplicity; ideal for narrative contexts
• “Each in turn” – emphasizes the orderly rotation or progression; suitable for procedural descriptions
• “One after another” – highlights the consecutive nature of the action; effective for temporal sequences
• “Individually” – focuses on the separate treatment of each person; appropriate for contexts emphasizing personal attention
• “Severally” (archaic) – conveys distinct consideration of each element; used in older translations to capture formal distribution

Biblical Usage

The expression εἷς καθ᾽ εἷς appears prominently in the New Testament during moments requiring special attention to individual persons, particularly in contexts of spiritual discernment or important community interactions. Its most notable occurrence is in Mark 14:19, where the disciples respond to Jesus’ announcement of betrayal by asking “one by one” if they would be the betrayer, highlighting their individual soul-searching in a moment of spiritual crisis.

The apostle Paul employs this expression in his instructions for orderly worship in 1 Corinthians 14:31, emphasizing that prophecy should occur sequentially rather than simultaneously, reflecting the God of order rather than confusion. This usage reveals the theological significance of ordered, deliberate communication within the believing community. The expression thus bridges both narrative descriptions of human behavior and prescriptive instructions for community conduct.

• “And they began to be sorrowful and to say to Him one by one [εἷς καθ᾽ εἷς], ‘Is it I?'” Mark 14:19
• “For you can all prophesy one by one [εἷς καθ᾽ εἷς], so that all may learn and all be encouraged.” 1 Corinthians 14:31
• “And they said to Him one by one [εἷς καθ᾽ εἷς], ‘Is it I?'” John 8:9 (in some manuscripts)
• “And they went out one by one [εἷς καθ᾽ εἷς], beginning with the older ones.” John 8:9
• “…so that you may know the things that have been freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words [one by one].” 1 Corinthians 2:12-13 (conceptual usage)

Cultural Insights

In ancient Jewish educational settings, particularly in the study of Torah and Talmud, the concept of sequential, individual attention was fundamentally important. The traditional method of chavruta (paired study) involved partners examining sacred texts verse by verse, word by word, with careful attention to each element in sequence. This cultural practice of methodical examination aligns perfectly with the εἷς καθ᾽ εἷς mentality—nothing in Scripture was deemed insignificant; each element deserved individual attention.

The Passover Seder ritual also embodies this concept, with its careful, sequential progression through symbolic elements and narration. The traditional recitation of the Dayenu (“It would have been enough”) proceeds point by point, examining each individual act of God’s redemption. When Yeshua (Jesus) transformed this ritual during the Last Supper, the disciples’ individual questioning (“Is it I?”) reflected this cultural norm of personal examination within community context—a perfect example of εἷς καθ᾽ εἷς in action within its Jewish cultural framework.

Theological Significance

The εἷς καθ᾽ εἷς concept reveals profound theological truths about the character of God and His relationship with humanity. Unlike pagan deities who dealt with humanity in undifferentiated masses, Yahweh consistently demonstrates individual attention and care. From His calling of Abraham as an individual, to His naming of the stars “one by one” (Psalm 147:4), to Yeshua’s attention to specific persons amid crowds, God models the importance of individual value within community context.

This divine pattern of individual attention reaches its apex in the shepherding metaphor. As Yeshua declared, “He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out” (John 10:3), emphasizing that the Good Shepherd knows and calls each sheep individually—not as an anonymous collective. Similarly, Paul’s teaching on spiritual gifts employs the εἷς καθ᾽ εἷς concept to show that God distributes gifts “to each one individually as He wills” (1 Corinthians 12:11), revealing that God’s omnipotence does not prevent Him from attending to each believer’s unique design and purpose.

Personal Application

The εἷς καθ᾽ εἷς principle challenges us to resist our modern tendency toward multitasking and divided attention. Just as God gives full attention to each person, we are called to be fully present with each individual or task before us. This practice of sequential focus—giving undivided attention to one person or matter before moving to the next—creates space for deeper relationships and more meaningful spiritual engagement.

In our prayer lives, the εἷς καθ᾽ εἷς approach invites us to bring our concerns before God one by one, rather than in anxious, scattered petitions. When we examine our hearts before communion, or consider our spiritual gifts in service to the community, this principle reminds us to take careful inventory rather than settling for superficial assessment. By embracing this biblical pattern of “one by one” attention, we reflect the character of our God who counts the hairs on our heads and knows each of us by name.

Related Words

• ἕκαστος (hekastos) – each one, every one; emphasizes individual identity within a group but without necessarily implying sequential order as εἷς καθ᾽ εἷς does. See G1538
• καθεξῆς (kathexēs) – in order, in sequence; focuses on the systematic arrangement of items or events in proper succession without the individualized emphasis of εἷς καθ᾽ εἷς. See G2517
• ἀνὰ μέρος (ana meros) – in turn, in proper sequence; similar to εἷς καθ᾽ εἷς but with greater emphasis on taking turns rather than individual attention. See G3313
• ἐφεξῆς (ephexēs) – in order, successively; emphasizes continuous sequence without interruption, whereas εἷς καθ᾽ εἷς may include pauses between individual considerations. See G2517
• κατὰ μέρος (kata meros) – part by part, in detail; focuses on breaking a whole into its constituent parts for examination, complementing the sequential focus of εἷς καθ᾽ εἷς. See G3313

Did You Know?

• Did you know that the εἷς καθ᾽ εἷς concept has influenced modern Jewish scholarship through the interpretive technique called “peshat,” which examines the plain, sequential meaning of biblical texts verse by verse? This methodology directly reflects the ancient practice of approaching sacred text with individual attention to each element, embodying the “one by one” principle embedded in this Greek expression.
• Did you know that in the ancient synagogue, the Torah reading implemented the εἷς καθ᾽ εἷς principle by calling up individuals one by one (aliyot) to read sequential portions? This practice continues today in traditional Jewish worship, where individuals are called up sequentially for Torah readings, mirroring the orderly worship Paul describes using this exact expression in 1 Corinthians 14.
• Did you know that modern psychological research has validated the εἷς καθ᾽ εἷς approach through studies showing that “multitasking” actually reduces efficiency and depth of processing? What the ancient biblical writers understood intuitively—that sequential, focused attention yields superior results—has been confirmed by cognitive science, demonstrating the enduring wisdom of Scripture’s emphasis on orderly, individual consideration.

Remember This

The expression εἷς καθ᾽ εἷς reminds us that in God’s economy, nothing and no one is overlooked—each person matters, each moment counts, and each element of His truth deserves our full attention.