Pronunciation Guide: par-AB-ah-sis
παράβασις (parabasis) means “transgression” or “violation” – the deliberate act of stepping over or crossing a boundary that יהוה (Yahweh) has established. This powerful Greek word exposes our human tendency to rebel against divine law and reveals why the Messiah’s perfect obedience was necessary for our redemption.
What Does παράβασις Mean?
Strong’s G3847: παράβασις represents much more than a simple mistake or error – it describes the intentional crossing of a sacred boundary established by יהוה (Yahweh). This feminine noun captures the essence of rebellion against divine law, portraying transgression as a deliberate act of stepping beyond the limits that God has set for human conduct. The word carries profound theological weight, revealing how sin isn’t merely falling short but actively defying God’s righteous standards. In the New Testament, παράβασις illuminates the seriousness of lawbreaking and highlights humanity’s need for the Messiah’s atoning work. Understanding this term helps us grasp the gravity of rebellion against God’s holy character and the magnitude of grace offered through Yeshua.
Key Insight: παράβασις reveals that sin involves conscious boundary-crossing, making redemption through the Messiah absolutely essential.
Where Does παράβασις Come From?
- Part of Speech: Noun, feminine
- Root Words: From παραβαίνω (parabaino) – to go beside, step over
- Language Origin: Classical Greek, adopted into biblical usage
- Primary Usage: Legal and moral violation, crossing boundaries
- Hebrew Equivalents: פֶּשַׁע (pesha) – rebellion, מַעַל (ma’al) – treachery
What Is the Historical and Cultural Context of παράβασις?
In classical Greek literature, παράβασις originally referred to a theatrical technique where the chorus would “step forward” (παραβαίνω) and address the audience directly, breaking the dramatic illusion. This theatrical term described the act of crossing the boundary between performance and reality. The metaphorical application to moral and legal contexts emerged naturally from this concept of boundary-crossing.
Ancient Legal Framework
The Greeks understood παράβασις within their sophisticated legal system, where it denoted the violation of established laws or contracts. Unlike simple mistakes (ἁμαρτία), παράβασις implied deliberate defiance of known standards. Classical authors like Plutarch used the term to describe breaches of oaths (παράβασις τῶν ὅρκων) and violations of justice (παράβασις τῶν δικαίων).
When Jewish translators worked on the Septuagint, they chose παράβασις to render the Hebrew פֶּשַׁע (pesha), which carries strong connotations of rebellion and betrayal. This Hebrew term doesn’t merely describe rule-breaking but captures the relational rupture that occurs when covenant partners violate trust. The prophets used pesha to describe Israel’s spiritual adultery – their worship of other gods while in covenant relationship with יהוה (Yahweh).
Theological Development
In the intertestamental period, Jewish literature increasingly emphasized the legal aspects of sin, preparing the theological groundwork for Paul’s sophisticated treatment of law and transgression in Romans and Galatians. The concept evolved from simple boundary-crossing to encompass the deeper reality of covenant rebellion against the Creator.
Historical Summary: παράβασις journeyed from Greek theater to biblical theology, becoming a powerful word for covenant rebellion.
How Is παράβασις Used in the Bible?
The New Testament employs παράβασις with remarkable theological precision, appearing seven times across Paul’s epistles and Hebrews. Paul masterfully uses this term to develop his theology of law, sin, and redemption, particularly in Romans where he argues that transgression serves to intensify awareness of sin and highlight humanity’s need for divine grace.
In Romans 4:15, Paul presents a crucial principle: “where there is no law, there is no transgression [παράβασις].” This doesn’t mean wrongdoing doesn’t exist without law, but that παράβασις specifically requires a known standard to violate. The presence of law transforms general sinfulness into specific rebellion.
Hebrews and the Covenant Context
The author of Hebrews uses παράβασις to contrast the old and new covenants. In Hebrews 2:2, every transgression under the law received “just retribution,” establishing the principle that boundary-crossing demands consequences. Yet Hebrews 9:15 reveals the Messiah’s work provides “redemption of the transgressions [παραβάσεων] that were under the first covenant,” showing how Yeshua’s sacrifice addresses the deepest rebellion.
Usage Summary: Paul and Hebrews use παράβασις to highlight law’s role in exposing rebellion and magnifying grace.
- Romans 2:23 – “You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking [παραβάσει] the law!”
- Romans 4:15 – “Because the law brings wrath; for where no law is, there is no transgression [παράβασις].”
- Romans 5:14 – “Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of Adam’s transgression [παραβάσεως]”
- Galatians 3:19 – “Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions [παραβάσεων]”
- 1 Timothy 2:14 – “And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression [παραβάσει]”
- Hebrews 2:2 – “For if the word spoken by angels was firm, and every transgression [παράβασις] and disobedience received a just reward”
- Hebrews 9:15 – “And for this reason He is the mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions [παραβάσεων] under the first covenant”
How Should παράβασις Be Translated?
Primary Meanings:
- Transgression
- Violation
- Breaking (of law)
- Trespass
- Crossing boundaries
Translation Tip: Context determines whether παράβασις emphasizes legal violation, relational betrayal, or boundary-crossing.
παράβασις Translation Options:
| Translation | Context | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| “transgression” | Legal/theological | Emphasizes violation of divine law with moral accountability |
| “violation” | Formal/contractual | Highlights breaking of established agreements or standards |
| “trespass” | Boundary contexts | Focuses on unauthorized crossing of established limits |
| “breaking” | Law-specific | Direct reference to shattering legal or moral codes |
| “rebellion” | Relational contexts | Captures the defiant, personal nature of covenant violation |
What Does παράβασις Teach Us About God?
The concept of παράβασις reveals profound truths about יהוה’s (Yahweh’s) character and His relationship with humanity. God’s establishment of boundaries isn’t arbitrary restriction but flows from His perfect righteousness and love. When the Creator sets limits, He protects both His own holiness and human flourishing. The very possibility of transgression demonstrates that יהוה has created beings with genuine moral agency – the frightening and wonderful capacity to choose obedience or rebellion.
The biblical treatment of παράβασις also unveils God’s justice. Every boundary-crossing receives appropriate consequences, not from divine vindictiveness but from the moral structure of reality itself. Yet even more remarkably, παράβασις illuminates God’s grace. The same law that exposes human rebellion also prepares hearts for redemption. Paul argues that transgressions intensify awareness of sin precisely to drive people toward the Messiah’s perfect righteousness.
Most beautifully, the concept of παράβασις points to God’s covenant faithfulness. While humans repeatedly cross sacred boundaries, יהוה remains committed to His promises. The ultimate answer to human transgression isn’t divine abandonment but divine incarnation – the Messiah who perfectly observed every boundary we have violated.
Theological Core: παράβασις reveals God’s holiness makes boundaries necessary, His justice makes consequences inevitable, His love makes redemption possible.
How Can I Apply παράβασις to My Life?
Understanding παράβασις calls us to honest self-examination about the boundaries we cross in our relationship with יהוה (Yahweh). This isn’t merely about external rule-keeping but recognizing that transgression begins in the heart with attitudes of independence and self-will. The Holy Spirit uses our awareness of boundary-crossing to cultivate authentic humility and dependence on the Messiah’s righteousness.
Rather than leading to despair, recognizing our tendency toward παράβασις should drive us toward grateful worship. Every time we become aware of crossing God’s boundaries, we have opportunity to marvel afresh at Yeshua’s perfect obedience and the magnitude of grace that covers our rebellion. This awareness should also inspire careful living – not from legalistic fear but from loving desire to honor the One who has redeemed us from the consequences of our transgressions.
Self-Examination Questions: Where am I crossing boundaries God has established? How does recognizing my tendency toward transgression increase my appreciation for the Messiah’s perfect obedience? What practical steps can I take to honor the sacred limits God has lovingly established?
What Words Are Similar to παράβασις?
- ἁμαρτία (hamartia) – “sin, missing the mark” – General term for sin, while παράβασις specifically involves conscious law-breaking – See G266
- ἀνομία (anomia) – “lawlessness” – Broader concept of being without law, while παράβασις requires a specific law to transgress – See G458
- παράπτωμα (paraptoma) – “false step, trespass” – Emphasizes stumbling or falling, while παράβασις emphasizes deliberate crossing – See G3900
- παρακοή (parakoe) – “disobedience” – Focuses on failing to listen, while παράβασις focuses on active violation – See G3876
- ἀσέβεια (asebeia) – “ungodliness” – Describes irreligious attitude, while παράβασις describes specific boundary-crossing actions – See G763
Did You Know?
- What does παράβασις mean in modern Greek? It still means “violation” or “transgression,” commonly used in legal contexts for traffic violations or breaking regulations
- How did Aristophanes use παράβασις? In Greek comedy, he pioneered the parabasis as a dramatic technique where characters addressed audiences directly, literally “stepping forward” beyond theatrical boundaries
- What’s the difference between παράβασις and ἁμαρτία? ἁμαρτία can be unintentional (missing the mark), while παράβασις always implies conscious violation of known standards
- Why does the Bible use παράβασις in Romans 4:15? Paul needed a word that specifically required the presence of law – you can’t violate boundaries that don’t exist
- How does παράβασις relate to covenant theology? It captures the relational betrayal involved when covenant partners violate sacred agreements with יהוה (Yahweh)
- What causes παράβασις today? The same human pride and independence that led Adam and Eve to cross God’s original boundary in Eden continues to drive transgression
- The root παραβαίνω originally meant “to go beside” in classical Greek – highlighting how transgression involves departing from the proper path rather than simply making mistakes
Remember This
παράβασις reminds us that sin isn’t merely falling short but actively crossing the sacred boundaries יהוה (Yahweh) has established – yet in the Messiah, every transgression finds complete forgiveness and every violated boundary finds perfect restoration.
