παραλλαγή

a change, variation

Definition

The Greek word παραλλαγή (parallagē) means a change, variation, or shifting. It specifically denotes an alteration or mutation from one state to another, implying a fundamental difference or deviation. In its sole New Testament occurrence in James 1:17, it is used in the negative phrase 'no variation or shadow of turning' to describe the immutable nature of God. The term carries the sense of a change that is not merely superficial but involves a turning aside or a substitution.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in James 1:17. It appears in a theological statement about God's unchanging character. The context is a discussion about the goodness of God as the giver of every perfect gift, contrasting the instability of human circumstances with divine constancy. The word is paired with 'τροπῆς' (tropēs, a turning) to form a powerful double negative emphasizing absolute stability.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition παρά (para, meaning 'beside' or 'alongside') and a root related to 'allassō' (to change). It literally suggests a change to something alongside, hence a variation or alternation. It is related to the verb παραλλάσσω (parallassō, to change alternately). The core idea is of alteration or substitution from one thing to another.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it directly informs the doctrine of God's immutability. In James 1:17, the assertion that with God there is 'no variation' (οὐκ ἔνι παραλλαγὴ) is a cornerstone for understanding His eternal, unchanging faithfulness, goodness, and truth. This contrasts with the shifting shadows of the created order and human experience. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by highlighting the absolute reliability of God's nature and promises against a backdrop of human inconsistency.

In the Hellenistic world, the concept of change (parallagē) was often discussed in philosophical contexts concerning the nature of reality, which was seen by many as inconstant. James uses this known term to make a profound theological claim that would resonate with both Jewish and Greek-educated readers, asserting that the God of Scripture stands apart from the perceived flux of the universe.

μεταβολή (metabolē, G3331) — a change, often of a more general or complete transformation. ἀλλοίωσις (alloiōsis, G364) — an alteration or making different. τροπή (tropē, G5157) — a turning, often used for the shifting of shadows, as in James 1:17.

Word Details

Scripture References