Brief Overview of παραρρέω (Strong’s G3901: pararrheō)

Strong’s G3901: A compound verb combining παρα (beside/past) with ῥέω (to flow/drift), meaning “to drift away/flow past.” Used metaphorically in Hebrews 2:1 to warn against gradually drifting away from faith. The nautical imagery suggests the danger of spiritual negligence leading to departure from truth.

U- Unveiling the Word

παραρρέω powerfully combines physical and spiritual imagery. Its literal meaning of water flowing past or a ship drifting off course creates a vivid picture of gradual spiritual drift. In its sole New Testament appearance, it warns believers against negligently allowing themselves to drift from their spiritual moorings. Early church fathers frequently used this term to describe the subtle nature of apostasy – not a sudden departure but a gradual drifting. Today, it remains a powerful reminder of the need for spiritual vigilance and anchoring in truth.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: παραρρέω, pararrheō, /par-ar-REH-oh/
• Detailed pronunciation: par (as in ‘par’) + ar (as in ‘are’) + REH (stressed) + oh (as in ‘oh’)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• παρα- (para-): beside, past
• ῥέω (rheō): to flow, run (as water)

D – Defining Meanings

• To flow past or beside
• To drift away
• To slip away gradually

For compound words:
παρα- indicates movement past or beside, while ῥέω conveys flowing motion, creating the image of flowing past or drifting away from a fixed point

Translation Options:

• “To drift away” – captures the gradual nature of the movement
• “To slip past” – emphasizes the subtle nature of the departure
• “To flow beside” – maintains the liquid metaphor but may miss the danger element

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ἀποπλανάω (apoplanaō) /ap-op-lan-AH-oh/ – to cause to go astray, more active/intentional
• ἐκπίπτω (ekpiptō) /ek-PIP-toe/ – to fall away, suggesting more sudden movement
• παρασύρω (parasyrō) /par-as-SOO-ro/ – to sweep away, implying stronger force

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a verb, παραρρέω exhibits:

• Tense: Present
• Voice: Active
• Mood: Subjunctive
• Person: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
• Number: Singular/Plural
• Aspect: Progressive

The subjunctive mood in Hebrews 2:1 emphasizes the potential danger: “lest we drift away.”

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its metaphorical usage in warning against spiritual drift. Thayer’s highlights the nautical imagery of a ship drifting off course. LSJ notes its classical usage for both literal water flow and metaphorical slipping away. Vine’s emphasizes the gradual nature of the movement implied. Moulton and Milligan document its use in maritime contexts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we [παραρρέω] drift away from it” (Hebrews 2:1)

Additional References:
None in the New Testament

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

παραρρέω vividly portrays the danger of gradual spiritual drift through its nautical imagery. Its single New Testament usage in Hebrews serves as a crucial warning against neglecting spiritual truth and the importance of remaining anchored in faith.

D – Did You Know?

• The word’s nautical imagery would have been particularly meaningful to the maritime culture of the Mediterranean world
• It appears only once in the New Testament but became a favorite metaphor of early church fathers for discussing apostasy
• The present tense usage emphasizes the ongoing danger of drifting, suggesting constant vigilance is needed

[Lexicon Summary]
A compound verb combining παρα (beside/past) with ῥέω (to flow/drift), meaning “to drift away/flow past.” Used metaphorically in Hebrews 2:1 to warn against gradually drifting away from faith. The nautical imagery suggests the danger of spiritual negligence leading to departure from truth.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: #verb #hebrews #apostasy #drift #nautical #metaphor #compound_word #biblical_greek #new_testament #warning​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​