παρακοή

disobedience

Definition

Parakoē refers to disobedience, specifically a willful refusal to listen and obey. It carries the nuance of hearing something and then deliberately choosing to act contrary to it, not merely a failure to hear. In Romans 5:19, it is set in direct contrast to 'hupakoē' (obedience), describing the act of Adam that brought condemnation. In 2 Corinthians 10:6, it describes the state of being disobedient, which Paul is prepared to punish. In Hebrews 2:2, it refers to the act of transgressing a spoken message or law, highlighting the serious consequence of violating a divine word.

Biblical Usage

This word is used three times in the New Testament, always in contexts of divine or apostolic authority. It appears in Paul's letters (Romans and 2 Corinthians) and Hebrews. In each case, it describes a serious failure to heed a command or revelation. In Romans 5:19, it is a theological term for Adam's primal sin. In 2 Corinthians 10:6, it describes the posture of those opposing Paul's apostolic authority. In Hebrews 2:2, it refers to the violation of the law given through angels, emphasizing the greater accountability for rejecting Christ's message.

Etymology

Derived from παρά (para, 'beside' or 'against') and ἀκοή (akoē, 'hearing'). Literally, it means 'a hearing beside' or 'a hearing against,' implying a failure to hear correctly or a hearing that leads to opposition. It evolved from the idea of imperfect or inattentive hearing to signify active disobedience, a deliberate choice to disregard what has been heard.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it defines the human condition of sin not as ignorance but as conscious rebellion against a known command. In Romans 5:19, it is central to the doctrine of original sin, contrasting Adam's 'parakoē' with Christ's obedience. It underscores that sin is fundamentally relational—a refusal to listen to and obey God. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by highlighting that biblical disobedience is an active, willful rejection of God's word, not a passive mistake.

In the Greco-Roman world, obedience to divine or imperial commands was a paramount social and religious virtue. Disobedience was not merely a personal failing but a subversive act against order and authority. The biblical use of 'parakoē' taps into this understanding, framing sin as treason against God's rightful rule. The contrast with 'hupakoē' (obedience, literally 'under-hearing') would have been stark to original readers, emphasizing complete submission versus defiant opposition.

ἀπείθεια (apeitheia, G543) — broader term for unbelief and obstinate disobedience; ἀνομία (anomia, G458) — lawlessness, focusing on the violation of law itself rather than the act of refusing to hear it; ἁμαρτία (hamartia, G266) — the general term for sin, meaning 'to miss the mark.'

Word Details

Scripture References