Brief Overview of πάρεσις (Strong’s G3929: paresis)

Strong’s G3929: A noun from παρίημι (to let pass), meaning “passing over, overlooking, or remission.” Used uniquely in Romans 3:25 regarding God’s temporary passing over of sins before Christ. Distinct from ἄφεσις (complete forgiveness), emphasizing divine forbearance rather than final forgiveness.

U- Unveiling the Word

πάρεσις represents a temporary passing over or suspension of punishment for sins. In its sole New Testament usage, Paul employs it to describe God’s forbearance with sins committed before Christ’s sacrifice. The term specifically indicates divine patience rather than complete forgiveness. Early church fathers used this term to discuss the relationship between Old Testament forbearance and New Testament forgiveness. Today, it helps us understand God’s patient working throughout salvation history.

Save 20% with code – FOG20

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: πάρεσις, paresis, /PAR-es-is/
• Detailed pronunciation: PAR (stressed) + es (as in ‘yes’) + is (as in ‘is’)
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• παρά (para-): beside, past
• ἵημι (hiēmi): to send, let go
• -σις (-sis): action noun suffix

D – Defining Meanings

• Passing over
• Temporary suspension
• Overlooking

For compound words:
The combination creates the concept of letting something pass by temporarily, without fully dealing with it

Translation Options:

• “Passing over” – emphasizes temporary nature
• “Forbearance” – captures divine patience
• “Suspension” – emphasizes temporary withholding

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ἄφεσις (aphesis) /AF-es-is/ – complete forgiveness
• ἀνοχή (anochē) /an-okh-AY/ – forbearance, patience
• συγγνώμη (syngnōmē) /syng-NO-may/ – pardon, forgiveness

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a noun, πάρεσις exhibits:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular
• Gender: Feminine
• Declension: 3rd

Examples:
πάρεσις (nom.)
παρέσεως (gen.)
παρέσει (dat.)
πάρεσιν (acc.)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its distinction from complete forgiveness. Thayer’s notes its temporary nature. LSJ documents medical usage for relaxation. Vine’s highlights its unique theological significance. Moulton and Milligan note its rare occurrence.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had [πάρεσις] passed over former sins” (Romans 3:25)

Additional References:
None in the New Testament

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

πάρεσις represents God’s temporary suspension of judgment before Christ, distinguishing between divine forbearance and final forgiveness through Christ’s sacrifice.

D – Did You Know?

• The term appears only once in the New Testament
• It was commonly used in medical contexts for muscle relaxation
• Its usage helped shape theological understanding of salvation history

[Lexicon Summary]
A noun from παρίημι (to let pass), meaning “passing over, overlooking, or remission.” Used uniquely in Romans 3:25 regarding God’s temporary passing over of sins before Christ. Distinct from ἄφεσις (complete forgiveness), emphasizing divine forbearance rather than final forgiveness.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: #noun #forgiveness #romans #paul #soteriology #divine_patience #salvation_history #biblical_greek #new_testament #atonement​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​