Lexical Summary parektos: Except, apart from, besides Original Word: παρεκτός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance except, saving, without. From para and ektos; near outside, i.e. Besides -- except, saving, without. see GREEK para see GREEK ektos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom para and ektos Definition in addition, except NASB Translation except (2), external (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3924: παρεκτόςπαρεκτός (for which the Greek writings from Homer down use παρέκ, πάρεξ); 1. preposition with the genitive (cf. Winers Grammar, § 54, 6), except; with the exception of (a thing, expressed by the genitive): Matthew 5:32; Matthew 19:9 L WH marginal reading; Acts 26:29, (Deuteronomy 1:36 Aq.; Test xii. Patr., p. 631; ('Teaching 6, § 1 [ET]); Geoponica 13, 15, 7). 2. adverb besides: τά παρεκτός namely, γινόμενα, the things that occur besides or in addition, 2 Corinthians 11:28 (cf. our 'extra matters'; others, the things that I omit; but see Meyer). STRONGS NT 3924a: παρεμβάλλωπαρεμβάλλω: future παρεμβαλῶ; from Aristophanes and Demosthenes down; 1. to cast in by the side of or besides (cf.παρά, IV. 1), to insert, interpose; to bring back into line. 2. from Polybius on, in military usage, to assign to soldiers a place, whether in camp or in line of battle, to draw up in line, to encamp (often in 1 Macc., and in the Sept. where for חָנָה): τίνι χάρακα, to cast up a bank about a city, Luke 19:43 L marginal reading T WH text The particle παρεκτός introduces an exclusion or exception that is real but limited. It alerts the reader to something that stands outside an otherwise universal statement, narrowing the field without weakening the primary claim. Its force is decisive: what follows the particle must be taken seriously, yet it always serves the larger purpose of clarifying the rule rather than undercutting it. Occurrences and Contextual Profiles Scripture uses the term only three times, yet each setting is strategic: the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:32), Paul’s courtroom testimony (Acts 26:29), and his apostolic self-disclosure to Corinth (2 Corinthians 11:28). In every case the word preserves either moral integrity, rhetorical focus, or pastoral transparency. Jesus’ Instruction on Marital Fidelity (Matthew 5:32) “But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery…” The particle fences in the one legitimate ground for divorce acknowledged by the Lord. By limiting divorce to πορνεία, Christ protects both the sanctity of marriage and the vulnerable spouse. The exclusivity underlines the high bar for covenant dissolution and reinforces Scripture’s broader insistence that marriage mirrors the steadfast love of God. Paul’s Prison Testimony before Agrippa (Acts 26:29) “Short time or long, I pray to God that not only you but everyone who is listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” Here παρεκτός separates the spiritual reality Paul longs to see (their salvation) from the physical circumstance he does not wish on them (his chains). The brevity of the exception accentuates the gospel’s attractiveness: Paul’s bonds do not define the life he commends. Instead, the particle underscores that temporal hardships, though real, are secondary to eternal freedom in Christ. Apostolic Burden for the Churches (2 Corinthians 11:28) “Apart from these external trials, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.” The word distinguishes Paul’s catalog of persecutions from an even weightier interior load—his pastoral care. The apostle signals that emotional and spiritual responsibilities exceed physical adversities. The exception sets pastoral anxiety in bold relief, reminding every shepherd that the flock’s welfare is a constant, God-given charge. Theological Implications of the Word’s Exclusive Force 1. Upholds Absolutes. Each usage protects a non-negotiable principle—marital faithfulness, evangelistic zeal, pastoral responsibility—while acknowledging narrowly defined exceptions. Pastoral and Missional Applications • Counseling: The Matthew passage guides marital counseling, stressing reconciliation while recognizing cases of covenant violation. Historical and Translational Reflections Early patristic writers appealed to Matthew 5:32’s παρεκτός to define orthodox teaching on divorce, countering both laxity and unwarranted rigor. The Reformation likewise treated the clause as the sole biblical ground permitting divorce and remarriage. English translations consistently render the term “except,” “apart from,” or “besides,” conserving its restrictive nuance. The Berean Standard Bible preserves this clarity, aiding modern readers. Integration with the Broader Canon The particle aligns with Scripture’s consistent pattern of guarded exceptions: “You shall not murder” carries allowances for just warfare (Ecclesiastes 3:8); “Do not give false testimony” permits concealment to protect life (Exodus 1:19). In each case, the exception reinforces, rather than negates, the rule. Παρεκτός thus functions as a textual safeguard, ensuring that divine commands remain both uncompromised and appropriately applied. In sum, though rare, Strong’s Greek 3924 plays a disproportionate role in highlighting the precision, mercy, and pastoral wisdom embedded in the Word of God. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 5:32 AdvGRK: γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ παρεκτὸς λόγου πορνείας NAS: his wife, except for [the] reason KJV: wife, saving for the cause INT: wife of him except on account of sexual immorality Acts 26:29 Adv 2 Corinthians 11:28 Adv |
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