from παρά and δόξα (in the sense of seeming); contrary to expectation, i.e. extraordinary ("paradox"):--strange.
Transliteration:parádoxos
Pronunciation:par-ad'-ox-os
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word `{{G3861}}` (παράδοξος, *parádoxos*) is a compound term derived from the preposition παρά (*pará*), meaning "beside," "beyond," or "contrary to," and the noun δόξα (*dóxa*), which in this context refers to "opinion," "expectation," or "seeming." Thus, the etymology directly yields the core meaning: "contrary to expectation," "beyond what is thought or expected," or "unlooked for." It signifies something extraordinary, unusual, or even astonishing because it defies conventional wisdom or common understanding. While in modern English "paradoxical" often implies a seemingly contradictory statement that may nevertheless be true, the primary sense of `{{G3861}}` in ancient Greek leans more towards "incredible," "marvelous," or "strange" in the sense of being unexpected or surpassing normal experience.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{G3861}}` appears only once in the entire New Testament, specifically in the Gospel of Luke:
* **[[Luke 5:26]]**: "And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, 'We have seen **extraordinary things** today.'"
This verse describes the reaction of the crowd and the scribes and Pharisees to Jesus' healing of the paralytic man. After Jesus first declares the man's sins forgiven—an act that the religious leaders considered blasphemous, as only God could forgive sins—He then commands the man to rise, take up his mat, and walk. The immediate and complete healing served as undeniable proof of Jesus' authority to forgive sins. The event was "extraordinary" or "paradoxical" because it transcended their understanding of human capability and even their religious expectations. The healing was not merely a physical restoration but a public demonstration of divine authority that broke through conventional categories. The people's response—amazement, glorification of God, and fear—underscores the profound impact of witnessing something truly supernatural and unexpected. The "extraordinary things" they saw were not just the physical healing, but the revelation of Christ's unparalleled power and authority.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of `{{G3861}}` is intimately connected with other Greek terms that express wonder, astonishment, or divine power:
* **δόξα (dóxa):** While `{{G3861}}` uses *dóxa* in the sense of "opinion" or "expectation," the more common biblical meaning of *dóxa* is "glory." It is significant that the "paradoxical" event in [[Luke 5:26]] directly leads to the people "glorifying God," suggesting that what is contrary to human expectation often reveals God's true glory.
* **θαυμάζω (thaumazō, `{{G2296}}`):** To wonder, marvel, be astonished. This verb often accompanies events described as extraordinary, as seen in [[Luke 5:26]] itself ("amazement seized them all").
* **ἔκστασις (ekstasis, `{{G1611}}`):** A state of astonishment, trance, or being beside oneself. This emotional response is closely linked to witnessing something `{{G3861}}`.
* **δύναμις (dynamis, `{{G1411}}`):** Power, ability, miracle. The "extraordinary things" are manifestations of divine power, often in the form of miracles that defy natural explanation.
* **σημεῖον (sēmeion, `{{G4592}}`):** Sign. Miracles are often called "signs" because they point beyond themselves to the power and authority of God. The `{{G3861}}` event serves as a powerful sign.
* The prefix **παρά (pará)** itself, when used in other compound words, often conveys a sense of going "beyond" or "contrary to," such as in παραβολή (parabolē, `{{G3850}}`, a "parable" which goes "beyond" a simple statement to convey deeper truth) or παράπτωμα (paraptōma, `{{G3900}}`, a "trespass" or "fall" that goes "beyond" the boundary).
### Theological Significance
The singular occurrence of `{{G3861}}` in the New Testament, though rare, carries profound theological weight. It highlights a recurring theme in biblical revelation: God's ways are often parádoxos, contrary to human expectation and logic.
1. **Divine Authority of Jesus:** The healing of the paralytic, particularly when prefaced by the forgiveness of sins, was parádoxos to the observers because it demonstrated an authority that only God possessed. Jesus' actions consistently transcended human categories and revealed His divine identity and power, often in ways that confounded His contemporaries.
2. **God's Kingdom Defies Human Logic:** The coming of God's kingdom, embodied in Jesus, frequently operates on principles that are counter-intuitive to human wisdom. The Incarnation itself, God becoming man ([[Philippians 2:6-8]]), the victory achieved through the cross ([[1 Corinthians 1:18-25]]), and the power found in weakness ([[2 Corinthians 12:9-10]]) are all profoundly parádoxos realities from a human perspective.
3. **Revelation of God's Nature:** When God acts in parádoxos ways, it is not for the sake of mere spectacle, but to reveal His nature and purposes. These "strange" events compel people to acknowledge a power and wisdom far beyond their own, leading to fear and glorification of God, as seen in [[Luke 5:26]]. It challenges human presumptions and invites awe before the divine.
4. **The Newness of God's Work:** The parádoxos nature of Jesus' ministry signifies the breaking in of a new era, where old conventions are surpassed by the dynamic, life-giving power of God. It underscores the truth that "with God all things are possible" ([[Matthew 19:26]]).
### Summary
The Greek word `{{G3861}}` (παράδοξος, *parádoxos*) signifies something "contrary to expectation," "extraordinary," or "strange." Its sole New Testament occurrence in [[Luke 5:26]] describes the profound reaction of the crowd to Jesus' healing of the paralytic, an event that demonstrated His divine authority to forgive sins and heal. This single usage powerfully encapsulates a broader theological truth: God's actions and the principles of His kingdom often defy human logic and expectation, revealing His unparalleled power and wisdom. Such "paradoxical" events serve to challenge human understanding, evoke wonder, and ultimately lead to the glorification of God, confirming that His ways are indeed higher than our ways ([[Isaiah 55:8-9]]).
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