παράπτωμα (paraptōma)
paraptōma
trespass
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 19 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek noun paraptōma refers to a trespass or a lapse in conduct. Its literal sense describes a false step or a deviation from a straight path, suggesting that sin is often a stumble rather than a calculated advance into evil. In the New Testament, this word captures the idea of a moral misstep where one falls short of God’s standard.
It appears nineteen times in Scripture, with significant weight in Paul’s letters to Romans and Ephesians. The term bridges human failure and divine grace, as seen when Matthew 6:14 links forgiveness of others’ trespasses to receiving mercy from heaven. In Romans 5:15, Paul contrasts Adam’s single trespass with Christ’s abundant gift, highlighting how grace overcomes even these specific deviations.
The word’s etymology combines a prefix meaning "beside" or "beyond" with a root for falling. This imagery distinguishes it from words implying outright rebellion; instead, it emphasizes the accidental or negligent nature of many sins. Translators often render it as "trespass," preserving the sense of crossing a boundary unintentionally.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word paraptōma describes a moral misstep—a stumble rather than a calculated advance into evil. It suggests that sin is often a deviation from the straight path, something we do by negligence or weakness rather than with full intent to rebel. This imagery offers profound comfort: God understands our fragility and does not treat every error as an act of defiant hostility.
Yet this understanding of human failure highlights the magnitude of divine grace. In Romans 5:15, Paul contrasts Adam’s single trespass with Christ’s abundant gift, showing that grace overflows even where mistakes multiply. When Ephesians 2:5 speaks of being made alive through our trespasses, it reminds us that salvation is not earned by perfect conduct but received as a free gift.
This perspective invites us to extend the same mercy we have received. Matthew 6:14 links our forgiveness from heaven to how we forgive others. Recognizing our own stumbles helps us respond with gentleness to those who stumble against us, creating a community rooted in grace rather than judgment.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 19 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- trespasses11×
- trespass6×
- trespass;1×
- trespass,1×
- transgressions;1×
- of trespasses,1×
- in trespasses1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- παραπτώματα8×
- παραπτώματι3×
- παραπτώμασιν3×
- παράπτωμα2×
- παράπτωμα·1×
- παραπτώματος1×
- παραπτώματι,1×
- παραπτώματα·1×
- παραπτωμάτων,1×
- παραπτωμάτων1×
Key Verses
-
Romans 5:15
But the free gift isn’t like the trespass. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.
Paul uses this term to contrast the limited impact of Adam's single trespass with the overflowing abundance of Christ's gift.
-
Ephesians 2:5
even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—
This verse emphasizes that spiritual life comes even when we are dead in our trespasses, highlighting salvation by grace alone.
-
Matthew 6:14
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Jesus connects receiving forgiveness from the Father directly to how we forgive the trespasses of others.
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II Corinthians 5:19
namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation.
Paul explains that God is reconciling the world by not counting these trespasses against people, entrusting us with this message.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word paraptōma mean?
How is paraptōma different from hamartia?
Why is this word important in Romans 5?
Does this word imply that sin is less serious?
Every Occurrence (19 verses across 7 books)
Matthew 3 verses
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Matthew 6:15But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 18:35So my heavenly Father will also do to you, if you don’t each forgive your brother from your hearts for his misdeeds.”