Lexical Summary paroichomai: To pass by, to go past, to elapse Original Word: παροίχομαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance past. From para and oichomai (to depart); to escape along, i.e. Be gone -- past. see GREEK para NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom para and oichomai (to depart) Definition to have passed by NASB Translation gone (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3944: παροίχομαιπαροίχομαι: perfect participle παρωχημενος; to go by, pass by: as in Greek writings from Homer, Iliad 10, 252 down, of time, Acts 14:16. Topical Lexicon Term and Occurrence παρῳχημέναις appears once in the New Testament, Acts 14:16, conveying the idea of “past” or “bygone.” Its sole use gives it a focused theological weight, marking a pivotal contrast between previous eras of divine forbearance and the present era of gospel proclamation. Context in Acts 14:16 Paul and Barnabas have just healed a lame man at Lystra, provoking the townspeople to identify them with Zeus and Hermes. The apostles refuse worship and redirect the crowd’s attention to “the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them” (Acts 14:15). Immediately Paul adds, “In past generations He let all nations go their own way” (Acts 14:16). παρῳχημέναις (“past”) frames their appeal: the age of unrestrained idolatry is over; a new era of accountability has dawned through the risen Christ. Divine Forbearance and Patience 1. Acts 14:16 presents God’s patience toward the nations, paralleling Romans 3:25, where “God left the sins committed beforehand unpunished,” and Acts 17:30, “God overlooked such ignorance in former times, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent.” Progressive Revelation παρῳχημέναις highlights the unfolding storyline of Scripture. Hence, the term underscores the shift from shadow to substance, from anticipation to fulfillment. Missional Implications Paul uses the word to create urgency. If the bygone era of tolerance has ended, evangelism is no mere suggestion but a mandate (Matthew 28:18-20). The missionary must: The term empowers cross-cultural ministry by affirming both God’s universal concern and His demand for decisive response to the gospel. Historical Backdrop Greco-Roman religion was polytheistic, local, and saturated with myth. Lystra’s reaction to the miracle shows how entrenched such beliefs were. By invoking παρῳχημέναις γενεαῖς, Paul simultaneously: 1. Acknowledges the historical reality of widespread idolatry. Practical Exhortation for Today • Recognize the gravity of living post-resurrection. Indifference to the gospel cannot be excused as pre-Christian ignorance. Related Passages for Study Romans 3:25-26; Acts 17:24-31; Romans 1:18-23; 1 Peter 1:20; 2 Corinthians 6:2; Hebrews 1:1-2; 2 Peter 3:9-15. Summary παρῳχημέναις functions as a theological hinge—swinging the reader from an era of divine forbearance to the age of fulfilled revelation and urgent repentance. Recognizing this shift equips the church to proclaim Christ with clarity, conviction, and reverence for the gracious God who orchestrates history. Forms and Transliterations παρωχημεναις παρωχημέναις παρῳχημέναις parochemenais parōchēmenais paroicheménais parōichēménaisLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 14:16 V-RPM/P-DFPGRK: ἐν ταῖς παρῳχημέναις γενεαῖς εἴασεν NAS: In the generations gone by He permitted KJV: in times past suffered all INT: in the past generations allowed |