προαμαρτάνω

I sin previously

Definition

The verb προαμαρτάνω means 'to sin previously' or 'to have sinned before.' It specifically denotes sinning at an earlier time, often implying a pattern of past behavior that continues to be relevant in the present. In its two New Testament occurrences (2 Corinthians 12:21, 13:2), it refers to sins committed before Paul's upcoming visit, highlighting unrepented actions from the past. The prefix 'προ-' (pro-) emphasizes the temporal aspect, setting these sins as prior to a specific point of reference, which in Paul's letters is his impending arrival and judgment.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exclusively by the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians. In both instances (2 Corinthians 12:21 and 13:2), it describes the sins committed by some in the Corinthian church before Paul's next visit. The usage is pastoral and corrective, as Paul warns that he will not spare those who have not repented of their previous sins (such as impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality mentioned in 12:21). It underscores a pattern of unaddressed, ongoing disobedience within the community.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition 'προ-' (pro-), meaning 'before' in time, and the verb 'ἁμαρτάνω' (hamartanō, G264), meaning 'to sin,' 'to miss the mark.' Thus, it literally means 'to sin beforehand.' The compound emphasizes the chronological priority of the sinful actions relative to a later event or confrontation.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it highlights the seriousness of unrepented sin and the call to ongoing holiness within the Christian community. Paul uses it to stress that past sins, if not dealt with through repentance, have present consequences and will face divine and apostolic judgment. It enriches the reading of 2 Corinthians by showing that Christian accountability involves addressing not just present actions but the legacy of past disobedience, emphasizing the need for continual repentance and restoration.

In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of 'sin' (ἁμαρτία) often carried moral and relational weight, involving offenses against divine or social order. Paul's use of 'sin previously' would resonate in a culture familiar with the idea of past misdeeds requiring resolution, especially in the context of community discipline and the patron-client relationships common in Corinth. His warning aligns with ancient rhetorical practices of delivering stern, corrective admonitions to restore order.

ἁμαρτάνω (hamartanō, G264) — the basic verb for 'to sin,' without the temporal emphasis of 'previously.' παραπτώμα (paraptōma, G3900) — often translated 'trespass' or 'transgression,' focusing on a false step or deviation, sometimes with a legal connotation.

Word Details

Scripture References