Lexical Summary paranomeó: To act contrary to law, to transgress Original Word: παρανομέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance contrary to law. From a compound of para and nomos; to be opposed to law, i.e. To transgress -- contrary to law. see GREEK para see GREEK nomos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom a comp. of para and nomos Definition to transgress the law NASB Translation in violation of the law (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3891: παρανομέωπαρανομέω, παρανόμῳ ;" to be a παράνομος, to act contrary to law, to break the law": Acts 23:3. (The Sept.; Thucydides, Xenophon, Plato, and following.) Topical Lexicon Concept of Law-Breaking in Scripture Strong’s 3891 magnifies the biblical theme that the God who reveals His will in law also condemns every distortion of that law. From Genesis 2:17 to Revelation 22:15, the narrative of Scripture distinguishes faithful obedience from “doing what is unlawful,” reminding every generation that transgression is personal, deliberate, and accountable before the Judge of all the earth (Genesis 18:25). The Singular New Testament Occurrence (Acts 23:3) Paul, standing before the Sanhedrin, addresses the high priest Ananias: “You sit there to judge me according to the Law, yet you yourself violate the Law by ordering that I be struck” (Acts 23:3). The command to strike Paul before any verdict contravened judicial fairness required by Deuteronomy 25:1–2 and Isaiah 1:17. Paul’s outburst spotlights three dimensions of “acting contrary to law”: 1. Hypocrisy in leadership—judging in the name of righteousness while flouting righteousness. Historical and Judicial Setting Ananias son of Nedebaeus served as high priest circa A.D. 47–58, notorious for brutality and greed. Jewish legal custom demanded that witnesses speak before any physical penalty (Deuteronomy 19:15–21). Roman law similarly protected citizens from uncondemned punishment (Acts 22:25). Ananias flouted both systems. Paul, versed in Mosaic jurisprudence and Roman citizenship, exposes the illegality, demonstrating that Christian boldness is not lawlessness but an appeal to God-ordained order. Old Testament Roots of the Charge • Leviticus 19:15 — “Do not pervert justice…do not show partiality.” These texts clarify that to “act unlawfully” is not merely social error but covenant infidelity. Parallels in the Passion of Christ Jesus was likewise struck contrary to legal procedure (John 18:22). Both incidents reveal how religious courts can misuse law to silence truth, fulfilling Isaiah 53:8, “By oppression and judgment He was taken away.” The righteous sufferer exposes unrighteous authorities, and God vindicates the victim. Theological Themes 1. Divine Law as moral norm (Psalm 19:7; Romans 7:12). Implications for Christian Ministry • Integrity in Church Discipline: Elders must “judge correctly” (John 7:24). Unbiblical censure is itself transgression. Pastoral Applications 1. Examine personal conduct—are we ever “judging according to the law” while “violating the law” in hidden ways (Matthew 23:28)? Conclusion Though the verb appears only once, Strong’s 3891 confronts every age with the peril of substituting human expediency for divine righteousness. The gospel answers that peril: Christ, “the Righteous One” (1 John 2:1), bore the curse of our law-breaking, grants forgiveness, and empowers His people to “fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2)—rendering justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God (Micah 6:8). Forms and Transliterations παρανομείς παρανομείτε παρανομούντος παρανομούντων παρανομούσι παρανομων παρανομών παρανομῶν παρηνόμουν paranomon paranomôn paranomōn paranomō̂nLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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