### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun παρανομία (paranomía, `{{G3892}}`) is derived from the verb παρανομέω (paranomeō), which means "to act contrary to law" or "to transgress the law." Its etymological roots are found in the preposition παρά (para), signifying "beside," "contrary to," or "beyond," and the noun νόμος (nomos, `{{G3551}}`), meaning "law." Therefore, at its core, παρανομία literally denotes "that which is contrary to the law" or "an act against the law." Its semantic range encompasses the concepts of "transgression" and "iniquity," highlighting a deliberate or conscious violation of an established rule or divine command. It carries a strong implication of defiance or deviation from a known standard, rather than a mere unintentional error.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the New Testament, παρανομία (paranomía, `{{G3892}}`) appears in a singular, yet profoundly significant, instance.
* **[[2 Peter 2:16]]**: "but was rebuked for his own transgression (παρανομία): a speechless donkey spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet's madness." This verse refers to Balaam, the prophet who was hired by Balak to curse Israel. Balaam's "transgression" here is his specific act of rebellion against God's explicit command not to curse the Israelites, driven by greed and a desire for reward. The context portrays a clear and conscious deviation from the divine will, an act directly "contrary to" God's law and purpose. The donkey's miraculous intervention served to restrain this specific act of lawlessness, underscoring the severity and clarity of Balaam's defiance. This solitary usage powerfully illustrates παρανομία as a deliberate and culpable violation of divine injunction.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding παρανομία (paranomía, `{{G3892}}`) is enhanced by examining its relationship to other key biblical terms:
* **νόμος (nomos, `{{G3551}}`)**: "Law." This is the foundational concept against which παρανομία is committed. The existence of law, whether divine, Mosaic, or natural, is presupposed by any act of transgression.
* **ἀνομία (anomia, `{{G458}}`)**: "Lawlessness," "iniquity." This is a very closely related and often conflated term. While both denote a departure from law, ἀνομία often describes a state of being without law or a disregard for law, a general condition of lawlessness. παρανομία, on the other hand, more specifically points to a concrete act of violating a known law. One could say that an act of παρανομία is an expression of ἀνομία.
* **ἁμαρτία (hamartia, `{{G264}}`)**: "Sin," "missing the mark." This is the broadest term for human failing in relation to God's will. παρανομία is a specific category of ἁμαρτία, one that involves a direct and active violation of a known divine standard or command.
* **παράπτωμα (paraptoma, `{{G3900}}`)**: "Transgression," "trespass," "fall." Similar to παρανομία, this term also signifies a deviation from the right path. While paráptōma often emphasizes a "false step" or a "lapse," παρανομία specifically highlights the *legal* aspect of the deviation—an act contrary to law.
* **ἀδικία (adikia, `{{G93}}`)**: "Unrighteousness," "injustice." This term describes a lack of conformity to what is right or just. Acts of παρανομία inherently lead to ἀδικία, as they violate the divine order of righteousness.
### Theological Significance
The concept of παρανομία (paranomía, `{{G3892}}`) carries profound theological implications:
* **Affirmation of Divine Law and Authority:** The very notion of "transgression against law" presupposes the existence of a divine law and the absolute authority of God as the Lawgiver. To commit παρανομία is not merely a social misstep but a direct affront to God's sovereignty and His established order.
* **Nature of Sin as Deliberate Disobedience:** The singular use of παρανομία in [[2 Peter 2:16]] in reference to Balaam underscores that sin is not always an accidental failing. It can be a conscious, deliberate act of defiance against God's explicit will, driven by selfish motives (in Balaam's case, greed). This highlights the moral culpability inherent in such actions.
* **Consequences of Transgression:** Balaam's example serves as a stark warning within the biblical narrative. His specific παρανομία led to divine intervention and a rebuke, illustrating that deliberate transgression against God's law has serious consequences and does not go unnoticed or unaddressed by the Almighty.
* **Contrast with Righteousness:** Implicit in the concept of παρανομία is its antithesis: righteousness (δικαιοσύνη, dikaiosynē), which is conformity to God's will and law. The call to believers is to live in obedience, thereby avoiding acts of παρανομία and embodying God's righteous standards.
### Summary
The Greek term παρανομία (paranomía, `{{G3892}}`) precisely defines a "transgression" or "iniquity" as an act that is explicitly "contrary to law." Its etymological roots, combining παρά ("contrary to") and νόμος ("law"), encapsulate its core meaning. While sharing semantic overlap with ἀνομία (anomia, "lawlessness"), paranomía distinctively emphasizes a concrete, specific violation of a known standard. Its sole occurrence in the New Testament in [[2 Peter 2:16]] powerfully illustrates Balaam's deliberate defiance of God's command, serving as a potent example of the grave nature of such a transgression. Theologically, παρανομία underscores God's authority as Lawgiver, highlights the intentional aspect of certain sins, and warns of the consequences of departing from His divine will.
TRV