ἔγκλημα

an accusation, charge

Definition

ἔγκλημα refers to a formal accusation or charge brought against someone, particularly in a legal context. In the New Testament, it consistently denotes a specific allegation of wrongdoing that requires a judicial response. In Acts 23:29, the Roman commander Claudius Lysias reports finding Paul accused of 'questions about their law' but with 'no charge (ἔγκλημα) deserving death or imprisonment.' In Acts 25:16, the Roman governor Festus states the legal principle of confronting the accused with the 'charge (ἔγκλημα)' before condemnation. The word implies a defined, prosecutable claim rather than a general complaint.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exclusively in the Book of Acts, specifically in the context of Roman legal proceedings during Paul's imprisonments. Both occurrences (Acts 23:29, 25:16) involve Roman officials (a tribune and a governor) assessing the formal legal accusations against Paul. The pattern shows its technical use for the official charge in a Roman court setting, highlighting the transition of Paul's case from a Jewish religious dispute to a matter of Roman law.

Etymology

Derived from the verb ἐγκαλέω (egkaleō, G1458), meaning 'to bring a charge against,' 'to accuse.' The noun ἔγκλημα is formed from the prefix ἐν- (en-, 'in') and the root καλέω (kaleō, 'to call'), thus carrying the sense of 'a calling in,' or 'an accusation.' It is a legal term for the formal statement of a case against a defendant.

Semantic Range

While not a central theological term, understanding ἔγκλημα enriches the narrative of Acts by highlighting the precise legal nature of the accusations against Paul. It shows that the Roman authorities, at least initially, found the charges against him to be insubstantial or pertaining to internal Jewish disputes (Acts 23:29). This frames Paul's trials not as a validation of the accusations but as a divinely orchestrated platform for his testimony before rulers (Acts 9:15). The word underscores the theme of God's sovereignty over human judicial systems.

In the Greco-Roman world, an ἔγκλημα was a formal, written charge necessary to initiate a public prosecution. Roman law required a clear, specific accusation to be presented to the accused, as Festus notes in Acts 25:16. This legal safeguard, rooted in Roman jurisprudence, contrasts with more informal or mob-led accusations. Its use in Acts demonstrates Luke's accurate knowledge of Roman legal terminology and procedure.

αἰτία (aitia, G156) — a broader term for cause, reason, or charge, sometimes used interchangeably but less technically formal. κατηγορία (katēgoria, G2724) — also means accusation, often with a stronger sense of prosecution or speaking against someone.

Word Details

Scripture References