Lexical Summary parabasis: Transgression, violation Original Word: παράβασις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance breaking, transgression. From parabaino; violation -- breaking, transgression. see GREEK parabaino HELPS Word-studies 3847 parábasis (from 3844 /pará, "contrary" and bainō, "go") – properly, an "overstepping" (BAGD); a deliberate going over "the line." 3847 ("a stepping over the line") in the NT refers to the willful disregard (breaking) of God's law which defies His drawn-lines (boundaries); an arrogant "over-stepping." [In classical Greek, 3847 (parábasis) likewise means "a going aside, a deviation (Aristotle) – in later writers, an overstepping; metaphorically, transgression (Plutarch, etc.)" (A-S).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom parabainó Definition a going aside, a transgression NASB Translation breaking (1), offense (1), transgression (2), transgressions (2), violation (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3847: παράβασιςπαράβασις, παραβάσεως, ἡ (παραβαίνω, which see), properly, a going over; metaphorically, a disregarding, violating; Vulg.praevaricario, and once (Galatians 3:19)transgressio; (A. V. transgression): with a genitive of the object, τῶν ὅρκων, 2 Macc. 15:10; τῶν δικαίων, Plutarch, comparative, Ages. and Pomp. 1; τοῦ νόμου, of the Mosaic law, Romans 2:23 (Josephus, Antiquities 18, 8, 2); absolutely, the breach of a definite, promulgated, tariffed law: Romans 5:14; 1 Timothy 2:14 (but ἁμαρτία is wrong-doing which even a man ignorant of the law may be guilty of (cf. Trench, N. T. Synonyms, § lxvi.)); τῶν παραβάσεων χάριν, to create transgressions, i. e. that sins might take on the character of transgressions, and thereby the consciousness of sin be intensified and the desire for redemption be aroused, Galatians 3:19; used of the transgression of the Mosaic law, Romans 4:15; Hebrews 2:2; Hebrews 9:15; Psalm 100:3 Topical Lexicon Essential IdeaThe term signifies an act of stepping beyond a clearly marked boundary. It depicts a willful violation of a known command, shifting focus from general “sin” to specific trespass against a revealed ordinance. Scripture applies the term both to humanity’s fall in Adam and to Israel’s infractions under the Mosaic Law, thereby unifying redemptive history around one problem: deliberate over-stepping of God’s stated will. Old Testament Roots Though the Greek term appears only in the New Testament, its conceptual backdrop lies in the Hebrew words peshaʿ (“transgression,” “rebellion”) and ʿabar (“to cross over”). The Law repeatedly warned that intentional violation would incur covenant curse (for example, Numbers 15:30-31). The prophetic literature amplifies the idea, portraying Israel’s national calamities as the cumulative consequence of “transgressions” (Isaiah 1:2; Hosea 4:1-2). When the Septuagint rendered these Hebrew terms with parabasis and related cognates, it preserved the imagery of boundary-breaking rebellion against divine statute. New Testament Occurrences and Contexts 1. Romans 2:23 – Paul indicts self-confident Jews: “You who boast in the Law, do you dishonor God by breaking the Law?” The term exposes hypocrisy: possession of revelation does not shield from guilt when that revelation is knowingly violated. 2. Romans 4:15 – “Where there is no law, there is no transgression.” The apostle argues that God’s promise to Abraham could never rest on law-keeping, for Law, by defining boundaries, inevitably multiplies trespass. 3. Romans 5:14 – Adam’s single “transgression” becomes the archetype of all human rebellion, functioning as the fulcrum for Paul’s parallel between the first man and the second Man, Jesus Christ. 4. Galatians 3:19 – The Law “was added for the sake of transgressions until the Seed should come.” Here parabasis reveals the pedagogical role of Torah: to expose the over-stepping heart and intensify awareness of need. 5. Hebrews 2:2 – “Every transgression and disobedience received its just punishment.” The writer underscores the unassailable justice of God’s earlier revelations to magnify the greater accountability attached to the gospel message. 6. Hebrews 9:15 – Christ’s death secures redemption “from the transgressions committed under the first covenant,” showing the reach of atonement both backward to Israel’s sins and forward to the church. 7. 1 Timothy 2:14 – “Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and fell into transgression.” The passage underscores personal responsibility and the gravity of knowing transgression in creation order. Theological Significance 1. Universality of Guilt By linking Adam’s act with every subsequent violation, Scripture affirms that parabasis is endemic to fallen humanity, leaving all under condemnation apart from grace. 2. Function of the Law The Law does not create sin but exposes and labels it, transforming latent rebellion into accountable transgression (Romans 4:15; Galatians 3:19). 3. Necessity of Atonement Hebrews 9:15 roots the efficacy of Christ’s sacrifice in its power to cleanse willful violations under both covenants, answering the Law’s relentless verdict. 4. Heightened Accountability The warning of Hebrews 2:2-3 demonstrates that if parabasis under angels’ mediation warranted punishment, neglect of the Son’s salvation carries an even weightier consequence. Christological Fulfillment Jesus Christ as the sinless One never over-stepped the Father’s will (John 8:29). At the cross He bore the exact penalty assigned to every “transgression.” The resurrection vindicates His righteousness, proving that the boundary once broken by Adam has now been honored and secured by the second Adam, opening safe passage for the justified. Ministry and Pastoral Application • Preaching: Faithful proclamation must define sin as specific trespass, not merely moral imperfection, so that hearers recognize their need of repentance. Doctrinal Implications The doctrine of hamartiology must distinguish between inherent sin nature (hamartia) and conscious boundary-breaking (parabasis). Justification doctrine then highlights how Christ’s obedience neutralizes both root and fruit of sin, fulfilling the righteous requirement of the Law. Eschatological Outlook Divine justice will address every unresolved transgression (Acts 17:31). For the unrepentant, the “books” will confirm deliberate boundary-breaking; for the redeemed, the Lamb’s book of life attests that their record of transgressions has been blotted out (Colossians 2:14). Summary Strong’s Greek 3847 spotlights sin as intentional boundary-crossing. Its seven New Testament uses trace a consistent storyline: humanity has consciously violated God’s revealed will; the Law exposes that violation; Christ fulfills and removes its penalty; believers now proclaim and live within the boundaries of grace, awaiting the day when all transgression is forever past. Forms and Transliterations παραβασει παραβάσει παραβάσεις παραβασεων παραβάσεων παραβασεως παραβάσεως παραβασις παράβασις parabasei parabásei parabaseon parabaseōn parabáseon parabáseōn parabaseos parabaseōs parabáseos parabáseōs parabasis parábasisLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Romans 2:23 N-GFSGRK: διὰ τῆς παραβάσεως τοῦ νόμου NAS: through your breaking the Law, KJV: through breaking the law INT: through the transgression of the law Romans 4:15 N-NFS Romans 5:14 N-GFS Galatians 3:19 N-GFP 1 Timothy 2:14 N-DFS Hebrews 2:2 N-NFS Hebrews 9:15 N-GFP Strong's Greek 3847 |
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