ἔγκλημα (egklēma)
egklēma
accusation
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun egklēma refers to a formal legal charge or accusation brought against someone. In the New Testament, it appears only twice, both within the narrative of Paul’s defense before Roman authorities in Acts. The word carries the weight of an official complaint, marking the transition from personal conflict to public judicial procedure.
Its usage highlights the procedural nature of these encounters. When the tribune Lysias explains his intervention in Acts 23:29, he states that Paul was accused (egklēma) regarding questions of their law but not of any crime deserving death or imprisonment. Similarly, in Acts 25:16, Festus notes the difficulty of sending a prisoner without first facing the specific charges against him. In both instances, egklēma signifies the precise legal basis for detention and trial.
Derived from the verb egkaleō, meaning to call to one’s account, the noun focuses on the content of the charge rather than the emotional act of accusing. Translators typically render it as "charge" or "accusation," emphasizing the factual allegation that must be addressed in a court of law. This term anchors the biblical narrative in the reality of Roman legal standards, where specific accusations were required to justify imprisonment.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word egklēma points to a formal legal charge, grounding our understanding of justice in specific facts rather than vague suspicions. In Acts, Roman officials like Lysias and Festus use this term to highlight that Paul faced no criminal accusation worthy of death or imprisonment, only disputes over Jewish law. This distinction protects the innocent from arbitrary punishment and shows how civil authorities were bound by procedural fairness.
For your life today, this reminds us that God values truth and proper procedure. When you face false rumors or unfair criticism, remember that a true charge requires evidence. You do not need to defend yourself against shadows; instead, trust that God sees the specific facts of your situation. Let this bring peace when others try to define you by baseless claims.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- accusation.2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἔγκλημα.1×
- ἐγκλήματος.1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 23:29
I found him to be accused about questions of their law, but not to be charged with anything worthy of death or of imprisonment.
This verse clarifies that while Paul had religious opponents, the Roman tribune found no criminal egklēma justifying imprisonment.
-
Acts 25:16
I answered them that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man to destruction before the accused has met the accusers face to face and has had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter laid against him.
Festus uses this concept to show that Roman justice requires an accused person to face their specific accusers before any judgment.