Brief Overview of παρανομέω (Strong’s G3891: paranomeō)

παρανομέω is a compound verb meaning “to act contrary to law” or “to violate the law.” In the New Testament, it appears in contexts addressing legal and moral transgression, particularly regarding religious law.

U- Unveiling the Word

παρανομέω combines παρά (beside, contrary to) with νόμος (law), creating the concept of acting “beside or against the law.” In New Testament usage, it carries significant weight in discussions of religious and moral authority. The word appears in contexts where religious leaders are confronted about their own adherence to the law they claim to uphold. This concept remains relevant today in discussions of religious hypocrisy, moral authority, and the relationship between religious leadership and ethical behavior.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: παρανομέω, paranomeō, /par-an-om-eh’-o/
• Detailed Pronunciation: par (as in ‘par-ent’) – an (as in ‘un-der’) – om (as in ‘home’) – eh (as in ‘set’) – o (as in ‘go’)
• Part of Speech: Verb
• Etymology:
• παρά (para): prefix meaning “beside, contrary to”
• νόμος (nomos): root word meaning “law”
• -έω (eō): verbal suffix indicating continuous action

D – Defining Meanings

• Primary meaning: To act contrary to law or established custom
• Secondary meaning: To transgress religious or moral regulations
• Tertiary meaning: To violate established principles or norms

Translation options:

1. “To act contrary to law” – emphasizes the deliberate nature of the violation
2. “To transgress” – captures the moral and religious implications
3. “To violate law” – reflects the direct opposition to established rules

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ἀνομέω (anomeō) – to be lawless, but without the specific sense of acting contrary
• παραβαίνω (parabainō) – to transgress, with emphasis on stepping across boundaries
• ἀδικέω (adikeō) – to do wrong, with focus on injustice rather than law violation

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Verbal Features:

• Tense: Present (continuous action)
• Voice: Active
• Mood: Indicative
• Person: 2nd/3rd
• Number: Singular
• Aspect: Progressive

The word can appear as:

• Present: παρανομέω (I violate the law)
• Future: παρανομήσω (I will violate the law)
• Aorist: παρενόμησα (I violated the law)
• Perfect: παρανενόμηκα (I have violated the law)

Related words:

• παράνομος (adjective) – lawless, contrary to law
• παρανομία (noun) – lawlessness, violation of law

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes παρανομέω’s connection to deliberate violation of established law. Thayer’s highlights its use in both religious and civil contexts. LSJ notes its frequent appearance in classical Greek regarding constitutional violations. Vine’s connects it to moral transgression, while Strong’s emphasizes its compound nature. LEH and Moulton-Milligan document its use in legal proceedings and religious contexts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“Then Paul said to him, ‘God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate [παρανομέω] the law by commanding that I be struck!'” (Acts 23:3)

Additional references:
2 Peter 2:16

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

παρανομέω represents deliberate violation of established law, particularly in religious and moral contexts. Its usage in the New Testament highlights the tension between religious authority and authentic adherence to divine law, emphasizing the responsibility of religious leaders to practice what they preach.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word was commonly used in Athenian legal proceedings
2. Early Christian writers used it to describe persecution of Christians as illegal
3. The concept influenced the development of ecclesiastical law

Strong’s G3891: παρανομέω – A compound verb combining παρά (contrary to) and νόμος (law), meaning to act against established law. Used in contexts of religious and moral transgression, particularly highlighting the contradiction between professed authority and actual behavior.

Part of Speech: Verb

Tags: #law #transgression #violation #GreekVerbs #ActsVocabulary #BiblicalLaw #ReligiousAuthority #BiblicalGreek #NewTestamentWords #StrongsG3891

Note: While this entry strives for accuracy, readers engaged in critical research should verify citations independently.