ὀφείλημα

a debt, offense, sin

Definition

ὀφείλημα primarily means a debt, something owed, whether in a financial or moral sense. In Matthew 6:12, it is used metaphorically in the Lord's Prayer for moral and spiritual debts, which are understood as sins or offenses against God and others. In a more literal, financial context, Romans 4:4 uses the word to describe wages that are 'owed' as an obligation, not a gift. Thus, the word bridges concrete obligations and the spiritual reality of sin.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only twice in the New Testament, in two distinct but related contexts. In Matthew 6:12, it appears in Jesus's teaching on prayer, framing sin as a debt that needs forgiveness. In Romans 4:4, Paul uses it in a theological argument about justification, comparing God's grace to a worker's wages that are rightfully 'owed' for labor. Both uses leverage the core concept of an obligation.

Etymology

Derived from the verb ὀφείλω (opheilō, G3784), meaning 'to owe' or 'to be obligated.' The noun form ὀφείλημα specifically denotes the thing that is owed—the debt or obligation itself. This root connects it to a family of words about duty, debt, and sin in the New Testament.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant for understanding sin and grace. In the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:12), defining sin as a 'debt' powerfully illustrates our moral obligation to God and our need for His forgiveness, which is the cancellation of that debt. In Romans 4:4, Paul contrasts a debt 'owed' for works with the free gift of righteousness by faith, highlighting the core distinction between law and grace. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by clarifying the financial metaphors central to the gospel.

In the first-century Greco-Roman world, debt was a serious and common social reality, often leading to slavery or imprisonment. Using this term for sin would immediately convey the gravity of moral failure—it creates a binding obligation with severe consequences. The cultural understanding of debt as something that must be repaid or remitted makes Jesus's and Paul's metaphors about forgiveness and grace particularly vivid.

ὀφειλή (opheilē, G3782) — a more general term for a debt or duty. ἁμαρτία (hamartia, G266) — the primary word for 'sin' as missing the mark, whereas ὀφείλημα emphasizes sin's aspect as an incurred obligation. χρέος (chreos, G3781) — another word for debt, often used in a financial sense.

Word Details

Scripture References