Lexical Summary ellogeó: To charge to one's account, to impute Original Word: ἐλλογέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance impute, put on account. From en and logos (in the sense of account); to reckon in, i.e. Attribute -- impute, put on account. see GREEK en see GREEK logos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom en and logos (in the sense of account, reckoning) Definition to charge to one's account, impute NASB Translation charge...to...account (1), imputed (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1677: ἐλλογάωἐλλογάω, equivalent to ἐλλογέω, which see ἐλλογέω (see ἐν, III. 3), ἐλλόγω; (passive, 3 person singular present ἐλλογεῖται R G L txt T Tr; imperfect ἐλλογατο L marginal reading WH; cf. WHs Appendix, p. 166; Tdf. Proleg., p. 122; Mullach, p. 252; Buttmann, 57f (50); Winer's Grammar, 85 (82)); (λόγος a reckoning, account); to reckon in, set to one's account, lay to one's charge, impute: τοῦτο ἐμοί ἐλλόγει (L T Tr WH ἐλλόγα (see references above)), charge this to my account, Philemon 1:18; sin the penalty of which is under consideration, Romans 5:13, where cf. Fritzsche, p. 311. (Inscr. quoted in Boeckh i., p. 850 (no. 1732 a.; Lightfoot adds Edict. Diocl. in Corp. Inscriptions Latin iii., p. 836; see further his note on Philemon 1:18; cf. Buttmann, 57f (50)).) Topical Lexicon Scriptural ContextThe verb occurs only twice in the New Testament, both times in Pauline letters. In Romans 5:13 Paul writes, “For before the Law was given, sin was in the world; but sin is not taken into account when there is no Law” (Berean Standard Bible). In Philemon 1:18 he pleads, “But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me” (Berean Standard Bible). These two passages provide complementary windows into how God deals with guilt—first in a cosmic, salvation-historical scope and then in a personal, pastoral setting. Financial and Legal Imagery In both verses the apostle draws from commerce and accounting. The imagery of an account ledger helps readers grasp the reality of moral debt. Humanity’s sins accrue like unpaid balances. Romans 5 shows that God’s moral bookkeeping is not arbitrary; it rests on revealed standards. Philemon demonstrates that such debt can be transferred to another party, foreshadowing the substitutionary work of Christ. Theological Themes 1. Human accountability. Romans 5 roots the reckoning of sin in the presence of divine law. Even before Sinai, death reigned (Romans 5:14), proving universal guilt. Yet formal imputation heightens once God’s statutes are clearly revealed. Historical Background Ancient commercial practice relied on tablets or papyri that recorded debits and credits. Legal systems throughout the Roman Empire recognized the transfer of debt from one guarantor to another. Paul’s audience would immediately perceive the weight of the metaphor: a debt legally assumed becomes the new party’s full responsibility. When applied to sin, the metaphor intensifies the wonder of Christ’s atonement. Relation to Old Testament Concepts Imputation language resonates with Levitical sacrifice, where guilt was ceremonially placed on a substitute (Leviticus 16:21). Prophetic anticipation peaks in Isaiah 53:6: “The LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Paul’s vocabulary ties the sacrificial shadow to the New Covenant reality. Pastoral and Practical Application • Personal forgiveness. Believers are urged to emulate Paul’s readiness to bear another’s cost, fostering unity and healing within the church. Doctrinal Implications Imputation undergirds justification by faith. If sin can be charged to Christ, His righteousness can likewise be credited to those who believe (2 Corinthians 5:21). Thus the term supports the forensic dimension of salvation without negating the transformational work of the Spirit. Witness of the Early Church Patristic writers such as Athanasius and Augustine echoed Paul’s metaphor, emphasizing that Christ “paid the debt we could not pay.” Their expositions reinforce the historic Christian consensus that the cross satisfies divine justice while displaying divine love. Missional Perspective In contexts where debt slavery or economic injustice persists, the Philemon narrative remains powerfully relevant. The church’s proclamation of sins forgiven and debts canceled offers both spiritual liberation and a model for social reconciliation. Summary Though occurring only twice, the verb powerfully conveys the biblical doctrine of imputation. Whether unveiling the moral logic of God’s judgment in Romans or modeling Christ-like advocacy in Philemon, the term calls believers to marvel at the ledger of grace where their sin has been fully, finally, and forever transferred to the Savior’s account. Forms and Transliterations ελλογα ἐλλόγα ελλογαται ἐλλογᾶται ελλόγει ελλογείται ἐλλογεῖται elloga ellóga ellogeitai ellogeîtaiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Romans 5:13 V-PIM/P-3SGRK: δὲ οὐκ ἐλλογεῖται μὴ ὄντος NAS: but sin is not imputed when there is no KJV: is not imputed when there is no INT: moreover not is put to account not there being Philemon 1:18 V-PMA-2S Strong's Greek 1677 |
    |