Word of the Week
June 14, 2025
Paraptōma: Crossing the Line
Even when we were dead in our transgressions, [He] made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).
Ephesians 2:5 NASB
No Trespassing!
As I walk along the Monon Trail, a hiking path along a former railway route, I see the signs warning walkers to stay on the trail – NOT to wander past the property line into someone’s back yard.
You can see similar signs along the border of the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, where the military test fire weapons. Sure, you can wheel your ATV past the sign, but you take the risk of becoming the target of artillery fire.
Crossing the line can have serious consequences!
That’s why the Bible sometimes describes sin as an act of crossing the line.
We are exploring several of the Greek words for sin, and the word for today builds on the imagery of someone who steps across a boundary line.
The word for today is paraptōma [pah-RAHP-tow-mah], often translated as “trespass” or “transgression.” It occurs 19 times in the New Testament, but it has a history that goes further back into classical Greek.
To the ancient Athenians and Spartans, paraptōma was the word for an error or mistake, a blunder or slip. Yes, you stepped out of bounds and you may have experienced some negative consequences, but you didn’t do it maliciously. It was more like an Olympian running the 200-meter dash who inadvertently steps outside his lane. You can be disqualified, but you didn’t do it on purpose.
In the Greek Old Testament, however, the word took on a moral meaning. Paraptōma was a deliberate, willful act in defiance of God and His law.
God gave clear boundaries for behavior, and the nation of Israel repeatedly pushed past those limits.
They acted like the child described by Dr. James Dobson in his book New Dare to Discipline:
Some children seem to have a need to test the limits of parental authority by a deliberate act of defiance. You tell them not to cross a certain line, and they will walk up to it, stick out their big toe, and touch the forbidden area—just to see what you will do about it.”
The New Testament uses paraptōma to describe Adam’s original sin in the garden of Eden. Paul devotes a full paragraph in Romans to explain how Adam’s transgression had a fatal impact on the entire human race (Romans 5:12-20).
Key thoughts:
Adam’s transgression resulted in death for many (verses 15, 17).
His trespass resulted in guilt and condemnation (verse18).
Adam’s single act of transgression was followed by many trespasses committed by the rest of mankind (verse 18).
When Adam crossed the line of God’s command, he led all of us into a minefield of death and destruction.
Paul also turns our attention to a second example of transgression: the nation of Israel and their rejection of Jesus the Messiah. Romans 11 explains that the Jews, particularly their leaders, defied God and crucified Christ. As a result of their transgression, the good news of salvation went directly to the Gentile world (Romans 11:11-12). Israel, at least temporarily, lost their central place in God’s plan.
Paraptōma is an issue for individuals today. People are separated from God by the way they cross the line, barging into forbidden territory. Before meeting Christ, we were all “dead in our trespasses” (Ephesians 2:1, 5; Colossians 2:13). That’s why we needed forgiveness and new life!
Even followers of Jesus are capable of crossing the line. Notice the instruction in Galatians 6:1 – “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a cone in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.”
Whether we are talking about a misstep or a deliberate sin, we must come to God with any transgression, acknowledging our trespass and trusting Him for forgiveness. If someone steps across the line, it is our responsibility to humbly help them back onto the path.
And if someone crosses a personal line that impinges on our personal territory, the Lord calls on us to forgive them. Jesus instructed, “Whenever you stand praying, forgive if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions“ (Mark 11:25).
Trouble waits on the far side of the boundary line of God’s will, so let’s not stick our toe across the line!
Study Hint:
We may profitably compare this week’s word with a close synonym: parabasis – also translated “transgression, violation.” Parabasis refers to breaking a specific law, covenant or regulation that has been spelled out in detail. It occurs 7 times in the New Testament (Romans 2:23; 4:15; 5:14; Galatians 3:19; 1 Timothy 2:14; Hebrews 2:2; 9:15).
Someone might claim that they didn’t technically break the rules because there was no sign posted with all the details. However, paraptōma covers both specific law codes and God’s general will. Adam was responsible in the Garden, even if there was no document forbidding the tree. And we are accountable to God’s moral standards, even if there is no verse specifically mentioning our offense.
Coming Up
Next week we will look at another term for sin – this one based on the reality that God is our ultimate standard of right and wrong.
Ezra Project 2025
4 Responses
I am so glad for those boundaries set out by God so that HE can bring us to Himself!
So often, when I was in the world, I would cross the line. Especially when I knew what the possible outcome would/ could be. I toed the line. In my walk today, I don’t even play around. I can control the sin in my life. What I can’t control are the consequences. Thanks be to God.
That truly is good news. Once we were guilty but then we were pardoned because of Christ. Praise be to God who loved us and sent His only son to make us not guilty. Thank you!
It’s good to read that someone has the fortitude to write about a subject that is largely ignored in the churches. Weather deliberate, or unintentional, sin is a trespass (“transgression”)
Of GOD’S law. Contrary to what’s taught in the churches, GOD’S laws governing mans behavior are still in effect.