3900. paraptóma
Lexical Summary
paraptóma: Trespass, transgression, offense, fault

Original Word: παράπτωμα
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: paraptóma
Pronunciation: pä-rä'p-tō-mä
Phonetic Spelling: (par-ap'-to-mah)
KJV: fall, fault, offence, sin, trespass
NASB: transgressions, transgression, trespasses, trespass
Word Origin: [from G3895 (παραπίπτω - fallen away)]

1. a side-slip (lapse or deviation)
2. (unintentional) error
3. (willful) transgression

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 Origin
from parapiptó
Definition
a false step, a trespass
NASB Translation
transgression (7), transgressions (9), trespass (1), trespasses (3).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 3900: παράπτωμα

παράπτωμα, 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,(a G T omit; WH brackets), b; Rec.; Mark 11:25, 26 R G L; Romans 4:25; Romans 5:15-18, 20; Romans 11:11; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Galatians 6:1; Ephesians 1:7; Ephesians 2:1, 5; Colossians 2:13; James 5:16 (where L T Tr WH ἁμαρτίας). (Polybius 9, 10, 6; Wis. 3:13 Wis. 10:1; the Sept. several times for מַעַל, עָוֶל, פֶּשַׁע , etc.; of literary faults, Longinus, 36, 2.)

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).
2. Relational Aspect: Forgiveness must be extended horizontally (Matthew 6:14).
3. Transformational Aspect: Believers move from death in trespasses to life in Christ (Ephesians 2:5).
4. Missional Aspect: Israel’s trespass opens a door of mercy to the nations (Romans 11:12).

Pastoral Application

• Assurance: Knowing paraptōmata are “nailed to the cross” (Colossians 2:13–14) sustains confidence before God.
• Discipline: Galatians 6:1 guides restorative church practice, balancing holiness and compassion.
• Prayer: Mark 11:25–26 warns that harboring resentment hinders communion with God.
• Preaching: Highlighting the singular paraptōma of Adam and the singular obedience of Christ clarifies the gospel’s substitutionary core.

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 paraptṓmatos
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Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 6:14 N-ANP
GRK: 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
GRK: ἀνθρώποις τὰ παραπτώματα αὐτῶν οὐδὲ
NAS: will not forgive your transgressions.
KJV: their trespasses, neither
INT: men the trespasses of them neither

Matthew 6:15 N-ANP
GRK: ἀφήσει τὰ παραπτώματα ὑμῶν
KJV: forgive your trespasses.
INT: will forgive the trespasses of you

Mark 11:25 N-ANP
GRK: ὑμῖν τὰ παραπτώματα ὑμῶν
NAS: forgive you your transgressions.
KJV: you your trespasses.
INT: you the trespasses of you

Mark 11:26 Noun-ANP
GRK: ἀφησεὶ τὰ παραπτώματα ὑμῶν
KJV: forgive your trespasses.
INT: will forgive the trespasses of you

Romans 4:25 N-ANP
GRK: διὰ τὰ παραπτώματα ἡμῶν καὶ
NAS: over because of our transgressions, and was raised
KJV: for our offences, and was raised again
INT: for the trespasses of us and

Romans 5:15 N-NNS
GRK: ὡς τὸ παράπτωμα οὕτως καὶ
NAS: is not like the transgression. For if
KJV: not as the offence, so also
INT: as the trespass so also [be]

Romans 5:15 N-DNS
GRK: τοῦ ἑνὸς παραπτώματι οἱ πολλοὶ
NAS: For if by the transgression of the one
KJV: For if through the offence of one many
INT: of the one trespass the many

Romans 5:16 N-GNP
GRK: ἐκ πολλῶν παραπτωμάτων εἰς δικαίωμα
NAS: [arose] from many transgressions resulting
KJV: many offences unto
INT: [is] of many trespasses to justification

Romans 5:17 N-DNS
GRK: τοῦ ἑνὸς παραπτώματι ὁ θάνατος
NAS: For if by the transgression of the one,
KJV: if by one man's offence death reigned
INT: of the one trespass death

Romans 5:18 N-GNS
GRK: δι' ἑνὸς παραπτώματος εἰς πάντας
NAS: one transgression there resulted
KJV: by the offence of one
INT: by one trespass [it was] toward all

Romans 5:20 N-NNS
GRK: πλεονάσῃ τὸ παράπτωμα οὗ δὲ
NAS: in so that the transgression would increase;
KJV: that the offence might abound.
INT: might abound the transgression where however

Romans 11:11 N-DNS
GRK: τῷ αὐτῶν παραπτώματι ἡ σωτηρία
NAS: did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation
KJV: [rather] through their fall salvation
INT: in the of them offense salvation [is]

Romans 11:12 N-NNS
GRK: δὲ τὸ παράπτωμα αὐτῶν πλοῦτος
NAS: if their transgression is riches
KJV: if the fall of them
INT: moreover the trespass of them [is] riches

2 Corinthians 5:19 N-ANP
GRK: αὐτοῖς τὰ παραπτώματα αὐτῶν καὶ
NAS: not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed
KJV: their trespasses unto them;
INT: to them the trespasses of them and

Galatians 6:1 N-DNS
GRK: ἔν τινι παραπτώματι ὑμεῖς οἱ
NAS: in any trespass, you who are spiritual,
KJV: in a fault, ye which
INT: in some offense you the

Ephesians 1:7 N-GNP
GRK: ἄφεσιν τῶν παραπτωμάτων κατὰ τὸ
NAS: the forgiveness of our trespasses, according
KJV: the forgiveness of sins, according
INT: forgiveness of trespasses according to the

Ephesians 2:1 N-DNP
GRK: νεκροὺς τοῖς παραπτώμασιν καὶ ταῖς
NAS: And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,
KJV: dead in trespasses and
INT: dead in trespasses and the

Ephesians 2:5 N-DNP
GRK: νεκροὺς τοῖς παραπτώμασιν συνεζωοποίησεν τῷ
NAS: when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together
KJV: dead in sins, hath quickened us together with
INT: dead in trespasses made alive [us] with

Colossians 2:13 N-DNP
GRK: ἐν τοῖς παραπτώμασιν καὶ τῇ
NAS: When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision
KJV: in your sins and
INT: in the transgressions and in the

Colossians 2:13 N-ANP
GRK: πάντα τὰ παραπτώματα
NAS: us all our transgressions,
KJV: you all trespasses;
INT: all the transgressions

Strong's Greek 3900
21 Occurrences


παράπτωμα — 3 Occ.
παραπτώμασιν — 3 Occ.
παραπτώματα — 8 Occ.
παραπτώματι — 4 Occ.
παραπτωμάτων — 2 Occ.
παραπτώματος — 1 Occ.

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