Lexical Summary paraptóma: Trespass, transgression, offense, fault Original Word: παράπτωμα Strong's Exhaustive Concordance offense, sin, trespass. From parapipto; a side-slip (lapse or deviation), i.e. (unintentional) error or (wilful) transgression -- fall, fault, offence, sin, trespass. see GREEK parapipto HELPS Word-studies 3900 paráptōma (from 3895 /parapíptō, see there) – properly, fall away after being close-beside, i.e. a lapse (deviation) from the truth; an error, "slip up"; wrong doing that can be (relatively) unconscious, "non-deliberate." NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom parapiptó Definition a false step, a trespass NASB Translation transgression (7), transgressions (9), trespass (1), trespasses (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3900: παράπτωμαπαράπτωμα, παραπτώματος, τό (παραπίπτω, which see); 1. properly, a fall beside or near something; but nowhere found in this sense. 2. tropically, a lapse or deviation from truth and uprightness; a sin, misdeed (R. V. trespass, 'differing from ἁμάρτημα (which see) in figure not in force' (Fritzsche); cf. Trench, § lxvi.): Matthew 6:14,( Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 3900, παράπτωμα (paraptōma), designates a lapse, deviation, or trespass—an act that crosses a divinely fixed boundary and thus stands under moral guilt. It describes both the individual act and the state that results from such deviation. Across the New Testament its nuance ranges from an unintentional misstep to a willful violation, yet always carries the sense of offense against the holy character of God. Old Testament Background and Intertestamental Usage The Septuagint employs παράπτωμα to translate Hebrew words for transgression (notably pasha and asham), linking the term to covenant breach and sacrificial atonement. Jewish writings between the Testaments kept the stress on covenant loyalty, so by the first century the word signified any act that placed a person outside God’s favor and in need of restoration. Distribution in the New Testament Paraptōma occurs twenty-one times, concentrated in the Synoptic Gospels’ teaching on forgiveness and Paul’s soteriological argument. Matthew 6:14–15 and Mark 11:25–26 make forgiveness of others’ paraptōmata the practical fruit of receiving divine forgiveness. Paul employs the word thirteen times, notably in Romans 4–11, to schematize Adam’s fall, humanity’s universal guilt, and the surpassing grace found in Christ. Paraptōma in the Teaching of Jesus Matthew 6:14–15: “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.” Mark 11:25 similarly connects answered prayer with the willingness to release debtors from their trespasses. Jesus’ choice of paraptōma underscores that even a “misstep” against a brother invokes divine accountability. The kingdom ethic demands a forgiving spirit, reflecting the Father’s disposition toward repentant offenders. Paraptōma in Pauline Theology 1. Federal Headship and Adamic Ruin Romans 5:15–18 contrasts “the trespass” (paraptōma) of Adam with the superabounding grace in Christ. Through one man’s paraptōma many died; through one righteous act many are justified. Paraptōma here functions as the representative breach that plunged humanity into condemnation. 2. Law and the Proliferation of Trespass Romans 5:20: “The Law was given so that trespass might increase; but where sin increased, grace increased all the more.” The Mosaic code exposes the multitude of paraptōmata, accentuating human need and magnifying grace. 3. Israel’s Stumbling and Gentile Salvation Romans 11:11–12 treats Israel’s paraptōma not as a final fall but as an instrument for Gentile inclusion. The temporary stumble “means riches for the world.” Thus paraptōma functions within redemptive history, showing God’s sovereignty over human failure. 4. Substitutionary Atonement Romans 4:25: Christ “was delivered over to death for our trespasses and was raised to life for our justification.” The plural stresses the concrete acts laid upon the sin-bearer; the resurrection demonstrates their full removal. 5. Reconciliation 2 Corinthians 5:19: God was “reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them.” Paraptōmata are no longer imputed; reconciliation rests on divine initiative, not human effort. 6. Spiritual Vitality Ephesians 2:1, 5 and Colossians 2:13 link spiritual death to paraptōmata and spiritual life to union with Christ: “Even when we were dead in our trespasses, He made us alive together with Christ.” The term thus marks the boundary between the old life and the new creation. 7. Ongoing Christian Responsibility Galatians 6:1: “Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.” Paraptōma here signals a concrete fall, yet restoration is expected. The church embodies grace by correcting without harshness. Paraptōma and Hamartia Though frequently paired, paraptōma emphasizes the concrete violation, whereas hamartia (sin) can denote the principle or condition. Romans 5 uses both: Adam’s single paraptōma introduces many acts of hamartia, while grace overwhelms both the deed and its enslaving power. This distinction supports a holistic view of salvation: Christ addresses not only the root (hamartia) but also every expression (paraptōma). Implications for Salvation and Sanctification 1. Judicial Aspect: Paraptōmata are pardoned at the cross (Romans 4:25). Pastoral Application • Assurance: Knowing paraptōmata are “nailed to the cross” (Colossians 2:13–14) sustains confidence before God. Corporate and Eschatological Dimensions Paraptōma is not merely private. It frames Israel’s collective stumble and the church’s collective duty to forgive. Romans 11 projects a future fullness when the temporary “trespass” yields ultimate restoration. Thus paraptōma belongs to the unfolding account that culminates in the new heavens and new earth where no trespass will threaten fellowship. Summary Paraptōma traces humanity’s perilous misstep from Eden to personal failure, yet more importantly showcases divine grace that overcomes every boundary crossed. Whether exposing deadness apart from Christ or outlining kingdom ethics of forgiveness, the term consistently calls sinners to trust the crucified and risen Lord whose mercy overflows beyond all trespasses. Forms and Transliterations παραπτωμα παράπτωμα παραπτώμασι παραπτώμασί παραπτωμασιν παραπτώμασιν παραπτωματα παραπτώματα παραπτωματι παραπτώματι παραπτωματος παραπτώματος παραπτωματων παραπτωμάτων παραπτώσει paraptoma paraptōma paráptoma paráptōma paraptomasin paraptōmasin paraptṓmasin paraptomata paraptōmata paraptṓmata paraptomati paraptōmati paraptṓmati paraptomaton paraptomáton paraptōmatōn paraptōmátōn paraptomatos paraptōmatos paraptṓmatosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 6:14 N-ANPGRK: ἀνθρώποις τὰ παραπτώματα αὐτῶν ἀφήσει NAS: others for their transgressions, your heavenly KJV: men their trespasses, your heavenly INT: men the trespasses of them will forgive Matthew 6:15 N-ANP Matthew 6:15 N-ANP Mark 11:25 N-ANP Mark 11:26 Noun-ANP Romans 4:25 N-ANP Romans 5:15 N-NNS Romans 5:15 N-DNS Romans 5:16 N-GNP Romans 5:17 N-DNS Romans 5:18 N-GNS Romans 5:20 N-NNS Romans 11:11 N-DNS Romans 11:12 N-NNS 2 Corinthians 5:19 N-ANP Galatians 6:1 N-DNS Ephesians 1:7 N-GNP Ephesians 2:1 N-DNP Ephesians 2:5 N-DNP Colossians 2:13 N-DNP Colossians 2:13 N-ANP Strong's Greek 3900 |