Lexical Summary paraiteomai: To refuse, to reject, to decline, to avoid Original Word: παραιτέομαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance refuse, reject. From para and the middle voice of aiteo; to beg off, i.e. Deprecate, decline, shun -- avoid, (make) excuse, intreat, refuse, reject. see GREEK para see GREEK aiteo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom para and aiteó Definition to beg from, to beg off NASB Translation begged (1), excused (2), have nothing to do with (1), make excuses (1), refuse (4), refused (1), reject (1), requested (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3868: παραιτέομαιπαραιτέομαι, παραιτοῦμαι, imperative present παραιτοῦ; (imperfect 3 person plural παρῃτοῦντο, Mark 15:6 T WH Tr marginal reading, where others ὅνπερ ᾐτοῦντο (which see)); 1 aorist παρητησαμην; perfect passive participle παρητημενος with a passive significance; from Aeschylus and Pindar down; 1. properly, to ask alongside (παρά (IV. 1)), beg to have near one; to obtain by entreaty; to beg from, to ask for, supplicate: (Mark 15:6 (see above)). 2. to avert (παρά aside (see παρά, IV. 1)) by entreaty or seek to avert, to deprecate; a. properly, followed by μή and an accusative with an infinitive (to intreat that ... not), Hebrews 12:19 (Thucydides 5, 63); cf. Winers Grammar, 604 (561); (Buttmann, § 148,13). b. equivalent to to refuse, decline: τό ἀποθανεῖν, Acts 25:11 (θανεῖν οὐ παραιτοῦμαι, Josephus, de vita sua29). c. equivalent to to shun, avoid: τί, 1 Timothy 4:7; 2 Timothy 2:23; τινα, 1 Timothy 5:11; Titus 3:10; equivalent to to refuse, reject, Hebrews 12:25. d. to avert displeasure by entreaty, i. e. to beg pardon, crave indulgence, to excuse: ἔχε με παρῃτημένον (see ἔχω, I. 1 f.), Luke 14:18f (of one excusing himself for not accepting an invitation to a feast, Josephus, Antiquities 7, 8, 9). STRONGS NT 3868a: παρακαθέζομαιπαρακαθέζομαι: to sit down beside (παρά, IV. 1), seat oneself (Xenophon, Plato, others); 1 aorist passive participle παρακαθεσθεις (Josephus, Antiquities 6, 11, 9); πρός τί, Luke 10:39 T Tr WIt (cf. Lob. ad Phryn., p. 269). παραιτέομαι depicts an active turning away from something offered or demanded. Whether the object is an invitation, an accusation, sound instruction, or the voice of God Himself, the verb highlights a willful, personal refusal. The contexts show that such refusal can be polite and excusable (Luke 14) or culpably rebellious (Hebrews 12). Old Testament Echoes While the Septuagint rarely uses παραιτέομαι, the concept of refusing a divine offer recalls Israel’s repeated “hardening the neck” (for example, Judges 2 and 2 Chronicles 36). Hebrews explicitly links the Christian congregation with Israel at Sinai, warning that a greater revelation brings greater accountability (Hebrews 12 compared with Exodus 19). Illustrations in the Gospels and Acts • Luke 14:18-19 – Three invitees “began to make excuses.” Their polite refusals expose hearts preoccupied with possessions, work, and relationships. Jesus indicts superficial etiquette that masks deeper unbelief. Apostolic Pastoral Guidance • 1 Timothy 4:7 – “Reject profane, silly myths.” Sound ministry requires deliberate disengagement from spiritually empty narratives. Supreme Warning: Refusing the Speaker from Heaven Hebrews 12:19, 25 thrice employs παραιτέομαι to contrast Sinai’s trembling assembly with Zion’s heavenly gathering: “See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused Him who warned them on earth, much less will we, if we turn away from Him who warns us from heaven.” (Hebrews 12:25) The passage climaxes the epistle’s exhortations. To “refuse” here is not a momentary doubt but decisive apostasy, turning from the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ. The gravity rests on the superior revelation now offered through the Son. Theological and Ministry Significance 1. Gospel Invitation: Luke 14 shows that salvation’s banquet is spurned not by overt hostility but by mundane preoccupations. Evangelism must expose such idols, calling hearers to urgent response. Practical Exhortations • Cultivate a heart that quickly refuses vain disputes and promptly receives God’s word. Summary παραιτέομαι reminds the Church that every soul is constantly deciding: will we embrace or evade God’s gracious summons? Scripture portrays refusal as tragically natural yet entirely avoidable through humble faith. Englishman's Concordance Mark 15:6 V-IIM/P-3PGRK: δέσμιον ὃν παρῃτοῦντο NAS: prisoner whom they requested. INT: prisoner whom they requested Luke 14:18 V-PNM/P Luke 14:18 V-RPM/P-AMS Luke 14:19 V-RPM/P-AMS Acts 25:11 V-PIM/P-1S 1 Timothy 4:7 V-PMM/P-2S 1 Timothy 5:11 V-PMM/P-2S 2 Timothy 2:23 V-PMM/P-2S Titus 3:10 V-PMM/P-2S Hebrews 12:19 V-AIM-3P Hebrews 12:25 V-ASM-2P Hebrews 12:25 V-APM-NMP Strong's Greek 3868 |
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