παραγγελία

Pronunciation Guide: pah-rahng-gel-EE-ah

Quick Answer: παραγγελία is an authoritative command or charge, especially from a superior to subordinate. In biblical usage, it encompasses both divine instructions for holy living and apostolic charges to ministry leaders. This word carries military precision with spiritual purpose—not mere suggestions, but binding directives that shape character and conduct in the Messianic community.

What Does παραγγελία Mean?

Strong’s G3852: παραγγελία represents far more than casual instruction—it embodies authoritative command with the expectation of complete obedience. This feminine noun derives from παραγγέλλω (paraggellō), meaning “to command” or “to charge,” and carries the weight of military orders issued to soldiers. In the biblical context, παραγγελία encompasses both divine mandates for righteous living and apostolic charges passed down through the covenant community. The word appears in contexts where Christian doctrine relative to right living is being transmitted, particularly in situations requiring clear boundaries against false teaching. Whether from יהוה through Moses or from the Messiah through His apostles, παραγγελία represents non-negotiable directives that form the foundation of holy conduct and faithful ministry.

Key Insight: Every παραγγελία carries the authority of its source—when from God, it demands the same reverence as divine law itself.

Where Does παραγγελία Come From?

• Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
• Root Words: παρά (para, “alongside/from”) + ἀγγέλλω (aggellō, “to announce/declare”)
• Language Origin: Classical Greek, adopted into Koine Greek
• Primary Usage: Military orders, official commands, authoritative instructions
• Hebrew Equivalents: מִצְוָה (mitzvah – commandment), צַו (tsav – command), פִּקּוּד (pikkud – precept)

What Is the Historical and Cultural Context of παραγγελία?

The word παραγγελία emerged from classical Greek military terminology, where it designated orders transmitted from commanding officers to soldiers in the field. The compound structure—παρά (“alongside” or “from”) plus ἀγγέλλω (“to announce”)—literally meant “to announce alongside” or “to pass along a message.” In classical usage, historians like Xenophon and Polybius employed παραγγελία specifically for military commands issued to troops, while later it expanded to include any authoritative instruction from a superior to subordinate.

In Jewish culture, the concept resonated deeply with the tradition of divine commandments. The Hebrew equivalent מִצְוָה (mitzvah) appears over 180 times in the Hebrew Bible, referring to divine commands that shape covenant life. When the Septuagint translators rendered Hebrew scripture into Greek, they typically used ἐντολή for מִצְוָה, but παραγγελία emerged in New Testament usage to capture the apostolic transmission of divine authority. This parallel structure mirrors how Torah commands were passed down through generations—not as mere suggestions, but as binding obligations carrying divine authority.

The early Messianic communities understood παραγγελία within this dual framework: both the inherited tradition of divine law and the fresh revelation through the Messiah’s apostles. Paul’s usage particularly emphasizes the word’s connection to maintaining doctrinal purity and combating false teaching, positioning παραγγελία as the authoritative standard against which all other teaching must be measured.

Historical Summary: From military command posts to synagogue teachings, παραγγελία bridges earthly authority structures with divine kingdom principles.

How Is παραγγελία Used in the Bible?

παραγγελία appears five times in the New Testament, first in Acts 5:28 where religious leaders reference their “strict orders” prohibiting the apostles from teaching. The word appears prominently in 1 Timothy, where Paul uses it to describe both the apostolic charge given to Timothy (1:5, 1:18) and the broader Christian instruction that promotes love over speculative controversies.

In Acts 16:24, the term describes the “command” given to a jailer regarding Paul and Silas’s imprisonment. However, its most theologically significant usage occurs in the Pastoral Epistles, where παραγγελία encompasses the entire framework of Christian teaching designed to cultivate righteousness and combat heretical influences.

The parallel structure between 1 Timothy chapters 1 and 6 reveals how παραγγελία functions as both prohibition (against false teaching) and positive instruction (toward virtuous living). Paul connects the “charge” directly to love from a pure heart, good conscience, and genuine faith (1:5), while later listing specific virtues like righteousness, reverence, faithfulness, and gentleness (6:11).

Usage Summary: παραγγελία bridges divine authority and practical Christian living, serving as both boundary and pathway for faithful disciples.

Cross-References:

• Acts 5:28 – “We gave you strict orders [παραγγελίᾳ] not to continue teaching in this name”
• Acts 16:24 – “Upon receiving such a command [παραγγελίαν], he threw them into the inner prison”
• 1 Timothy 1:5 – “The goal of this command [παραγγελίας] is love from a pure heart”
• 1 Timothy 1:18 – “This command [παραγγελίαν] I entrust to you, Timothy, my son”
• 1 Thessalonians 4:2 – “You know what commands [παραγγελίας] we gave you”

How Should παραγγελία Be Translated?

Primary Meanings:

• Command
• Charge
• Instruction
• Directive
• Mandate

Translation Tip: Context determines whether emphasis falls on military authority, pastoral responsibility, or divine mandate.

παραγγελία Translation Options:

What Does παραγγελία Teach Us About God?

παραγγελία reveals יהוה as the ultimate Commander whose authority flows through established structures to accomplish His redemptive purposes. When Paul describes the “charge” as culminating in love, good conscience, and genuine faith, he demonstrates that divine commands aren’t arbitrary exercises of power but carefully designed pathways to flourishing life. The military precision of παραγγελία language shows that God takes seriously both the transmission and reception of His instructions.

Divine Authority Structure: Just as earthly military command ensures order and effectiveness, spiritual παραγγελία maintains the integrity of God’s kingdom purposes. The Messiah’s delegation of authority to apostles, and their subsequent charging of ministry leaders like Timothy, creates a chain of accountability that protects divine truth from corruption. This isn’t hierarchy for its own sake, but functional order that serves love and faithfulness.

Transformative Purpose: Every divine παραγγελία aims not at mere compliance but at heart transformation that naturally produces righteous behavior. God’s commands carry creative power—they don’t just prohibit wrong actions but generate right motivations, pure consciences, and authentic faith relationships.

Theological Core: God’s παραγγελία flows from perfect love, aims at human flourishing, and accomplishes eternal transformation through willing obedience.

How Can I Apply παραγγελία to My Life?

Receiving divine παραγγελία requires the humility to recognize legitimate spiritual authority and the courage to obey even when understanding is incomplete. Like Timothy receiving apostolic instruction, we must approach biblical commands not as suggestions for consideration but as life-giving directives from our loving Commander. The mitzvot aren’t restrictive commandments we have to do; they are acts of spiritual connection we get to do.

Practical Submission: Begin each day by acknowledging יהוה’s right to command your choices, relationships, and priorities. When Scripture gives clear direction—whether about forgiveness, generosity, sexual purity, or truthfulness—respond with military-style obedience that trusts the Commander’s wisdom more than your own understanding. Like soldiers who execute orders before fully grasping the strategic purpose, faithful disciples obey God’s παραγγελία knowing that perfect love motivates every divine directive.

Self-Examination Questions: Do I receive biblical commands as divine παραγγελία or mere human suggestions? How does my obedience to God’s clear instructions demonstrate trust in His character and wisdom? Am I faithfully passing along the spiritual charges entrusted to me?

What Words Are Similar to παραγγελία?

• ἐντολή (entolē) – “commandment/precept” – More general term for divine commands, often used for the Ten Commandments – See G1785
• διαταγή (diatagē) – “ordinance/decree” – Emphasizes formal ordering or arrangement rather than personal charge – See G1296
• κέλευσμα (keleusma) – “command/shout of command” – More emotional/urgent command, often used for battle cries – See G2752
• ἐπιταγή (epitagē) – “commandment/authority” – Emphasizes the right to command rather than the command itself – See G2003
• νόμος (nomos) – “law” – Broader term for legal/moral systems rather than specific commands – See G3551

Did You Know?

• What does παραγγελία mean in modern Greek? Modern Greek still uses παραγγελία primarily for “order” (as in ordering food or merchandise), maintaining the sense of authoritative instruction.
• How did Xenophon use παραγγελία? The classical historian employed it specifically for military orders transmitted through the chain of command, establishing the word’s connection to structured authority.
• What’s the difference between παραγγελία and ἐντολή? While ἐντολή typically refers to established commandments (like the Ten Commandments), παραγγελία emphasizes the active transmission of authority from superior to subordinate.
• Why does the Bible use παραγγελία in Timothy’s context? Paul needed terminology that conveyed both apostolic authority and pastoral responsibility, making παραγγελία perfect for describing ministerial charges passed down through generations.
• How does παραγγελία relate to discipleship? The military precision of the term reflects how following the Messiah requires the same immediate, unquestioning obedience that effective armies demand.
• What causes disobedience to divine παραγγελία today? Pride that questions God’s authority, fear that doubts His goodness, and cultural pressure that prioritizes human wisdom over divine instruction.
• Ancient transmission method – In classical military usage, παραγγελία commands were often passed “down the line” from officer to officer, ensuring every soldier received identical instructions—paralleling how apostolic teaching was transmitted through church leadership.

Remember This

Every παραγγελία carries the full authority of its source—when it comes from יהוה through His appointed representatives, it demands the same reverence as if spoken directly from Mount Sinai.