παρανομία

a transgression

Definition

Paranomia refers to a specific type of wrongdoing: a transgression or violation of established law. It denotes an act that steps outside or against the law, implying a willful breach of a known standard. In its sole New Testament occurrence, it describes the donkey's rebuke of Balaam's 'transgression' (2 Peter 2:16), highlighting an act that was morally and prophetically out of bounds. The word carries a strong sense of illegality and moral deviation from a prescribed norm.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in 2 Peter 2:16. It is employed in the context of Balaam's prophetic ministry, where his greedy and rebellious path is condemned as a 'transgression.' The usage paints Balaam's action not merely as a mistake but as a deliberate violation of God's will and prophetic duty, fitting the epistle's theme of confronting false teachers and their lawless behavior.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition παρά (para), meaning 'beside' or 'alongside,' combined with νόμος (nomos), meaning 'law.' Literally, it means 'beside the law' or 'against the law.' It is a compound word that vividly pictures stepping outside the boundaries of legal or moral order. It is closely related to the adjective παράνομος (paranomos, G3891), meaning 'lawless.'

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it underscores the biblical concept of sin as transgression—a deliberate crossing of a known boundary set by God. In 2 Peter 2:16, it is used to characterize the profound error of a prophet, linking false teaching to active rebellion against divine law. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by emphasizing that sin is not just a general evil but a specific violation of God's revealed standard, highlighting the seriousness of deviating from His word.

In the Greco-Roman world, 'law' (nomos) was a central concept for social order and philosophical ethics. An act labeled as paranomia would be understood as a subversion of the civic, moral, or religious framework that held society together. For Jewish and Christian audiences, this concept was deeply tied to the Law of Moses, making the transgression not merely a social misstep but a direct offense against God's covenant.

ἀνομία (anomia, G458) — a broader term for lawlessness or iniquity, often implying a state of being without law. παράβασις (parabasis, G3847) — a transgression or overstepping, frequently used for violating a specific command. ἁμαρτία (hamartia, G266) — the most general term for sin, meaning 'to miss the mark.'

Word Details

Scripture References