παράβασις

a transgression

Definition

παράβασις (parabasis) primarily means a transgression or violation of a known law or command. It denotes a deliberate stepping over a boundary, a breach of a clearly defined standard. In Romans 4:15, it is closely linked to the existence of law, as 'where there is no law, there is no transgression.' The word can also refer to the first or archetypal transgression, as in Romans 5:14, which speaks of Adam's sin. In Hebrews 9:15, it encompasses the collective transgressions committed under the first covenant.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exclusively in theological contexts concerning sin and law. It appears seven times, primarily in Paul's letters (Romans, Galatians, 1 Timothy) and Hebrews. Its usage consistently connects human wrongdoing to the violation of a specific, divine commandment or covenant. For example, in Galatians 3:19, the law was added 'because of transgressions,' and in 1 Timothy 2:14, Eve was deceived and became a 'transgressor.'

Etymology

Derived from παρά (para, 'beside' or 'beyond') and βάσις (basis, 'a step' or 'a base'). It literally means 'a stepping over' or 'a going beyond' a set limit. This root meaning vividly illustrates the concept of crossing a known boundary, which perfectly captures its biblical sense of violating a commandment.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically crucial for understanding the relationship between sin and law. It defines sin not just as general wrongdoing, but as a specific, willful violation of God's revealed will (Romans 4:15). It highlights the objective standard of God's law and humanity's failure to meet it. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by clarifying that Christ's redemption in Hebrews 9:15 specifically deals with these deliberate covenant violations.

In the Greco-Roman world, the term carried a strong legal connotation of violating a statute or treaty. This cultural understanding aligns perfectly with the biblical authors' use of the word to describe breaches of God's covenant law, a concept their audience would readily grasp as a serious offense.

ἁμαρτία (hamartia, G266) — a broader term for 'sin' as missing the mark, not always implying a known law. παράπτωμα (paraptōma, G3900) — a 'trespass' or false step, often with a sense of a lapse or slip. παρακοή (parakoē, G3876) — 'disobedience,' emphasizing a failure to hear or heed a command.

Word Details

Scripture References