from παρά and πίπτω; to fall aside, i.e. (figuratively) to apostatize:--fall away.
Transliteration:parapíptō
Pronunciation:par-ap-ip'-to
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb parapíptō (`{{G3895}}`) is a compound word formed from the preposition παρά (para, `{{G3844}}`), meaning "beside," "alongside," or "away from," and the verb πίπτω (píptō, `{{G4098}}`), meaning "to fall." Literally, it signifies "to fall alongside" or "to fall beside." However, its primary usage, particularly in a theological context, is figurative, denoting a "falling away" or "deviation" from a previously held position, truth, or commitment. This is not a mere stumble or temporary lapse, but a significant and decisive departure. The core semantic range thus encompasses the idea of apostasy, a deliberate turning away from faith or allegiance.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb parapíptō (`{{G3895}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, in the Epistle to the Hebrews:
* **[[Hebrews 6:6]]**: "if they then fall away, to restore them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame."
This solitary occurrence is profoundly significant, anchoring the term within one of the New Testament's most challenging passages concerning apostasy. The immediate context of [[Hebrews 6:4-6]] describes individuals who have experienced profound spiritual realities: they have been "enlightened," "have tasted the heavenly gift," "have become partakers of the Holy Spirit," "have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come." The phrase "if they then fall away" (καὶ παραπεσόντας) refers to a deliberate, conscious, and complete rejection of this experienced truth and grace. The severity of this "falling away" is underscored by the subsequent statement that it is "impossible to restore them again to repentance," because in doing so, they are effectively "crucifying again for themselves the Son of God and putting Him to open shame." This implies a final, decisive repudiation of Christ and His atoning work, marking a point of no return for such individuals. The context is not of a believer struggling with sin, but of one who has fully apprehended and then definitively renounced the Christian faith.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding parapíptō (`{{G3895}}`) is aided by examining related Greek terms that describe various forms of departure or transgression:
* **πίπτω (píptō, `{{G4098}}`)**: The root word, meaning "to fall," can signify a physical fall, but also a moral or spiritual downfall, or the collapse of an institution. parapíptō intensifies this by adding the para- prefix, suggesting a fall *away from* a standard or path.
* **ἀφίστημι (aphistēmi, `{{G868}}`)**: "to stand away from," "to depart," often used in the context of apostasy, as in [[1 Timothy 4:1]] where some will "depart from the faith."
* **ἀρνέομαι (arnéomai, `{{G720}}`)**: "to deny," particularly to deny Christ or one's faith, as seen in [[Matthew 10:33]] or [[2 Timothy 2:12]]. While parapíptō describes the act of falling away, arnéomai describes the verbal or practical denial that often accompanies or constitutes such a fall.
* **παραβαίνω (parabaínō, `{{G3845}}`)**: "to go beside," "to transgress," or "to violate a law." While transgression is a specific act of sin, parapíptō describes a more comprehensive turning away from the source of the law itself.
* **ἀποστασία (apostasia, `{{G646}}`)**: The noun form for "apostasy," meaning a defection or rebellion, often used in a religious or political sense. parapíptō describes the action of engaging in apostasia.
* Conversely, words like ὑπομονή (hypomonē, `{{G5281}}`, "endurance," "perseverance") and πιστός (pistos, `{{G4103}}`, "faithful," "trustworthy") stand in stark contrast to parapíptō, highlighting the virtue of steadfastness in faith.
### Theological Significance
The singular use of parapíptō (`{{G3895}}`) in [[Hebrews 6:6]] endows it with immense theological weight, making it a critical term in discussions regarding the nature of apostasy, the perseverance of the saints, and the concept of "unforgivable sin."
1. **Gravity of Apostasy**: The term describes a profound and deliberate turning away from Christ and the Christian faith after having experienced genuine spiritual enlightenment and blessing. It is not merely a backslide, a temporary doubt, or a struggle with sin, but a decisive renunciation of the truth and grace once embraced. The imagery of "crucifying again... the Son of God and putting Him to open shame" underscores the horrific nature of such a rejection, equating it with a public act of contempt for Christ's sacrifice.
2. **Irreversibility (from the human perspective)**: The passage states that it is "impossible to restore them again to repentance." This does not necessarily imply that God *cannot* forgive, but rather that the individual who has committed such an act has hardened their heart to a degree where repentance (a change of mind leading to a change of action) is no longer possible for them. Their spiritual faculties for receiving grace and turning back to God have been seared.
3. **Warning to Believers**: Far from being a statement about the security of salvation, [[Hebrews 6:4-6]] serves as a severe warning to those within the Christian community against the danger of ultimate defection. It highlights the serious consequences of rejecting known truth and experienced grace, urging believers to press on to maturity and steadfastness ([[Hebrews 6:1]]).
4. **Distinction from Sin**: It is crucial to distinguish parapíptō from ordinary sin or temporary lapses in faith. The context describes a profound spiritual experience followed by a complete and final repudiation. It is a deliberate, informed, and conscious rejection, not a weakness or a stumble.
### Summary
Parapíptō (`{{G3895}}`) is a Greek verb meaning literally "to fall alongside," but figuratively and biblically, "to fall away" or "to apostatize." Its sole New Testament occurrence in [[Hebrews 6:6]] is highly significant, describing a severe and deliberate turning away from the Christian faith by individuals who have experienced profound spiritual realities. This "falling away" is presented as an act of such ultimate rejection of Christ that, from the human perspective, repentance becomes impossible. The term highlights the extreme gravity of apostasy, distinguishing it from mere sin or temporary spiritual struggles, and serves as a solemn warning against a final, conscious repudiation of saving grace. It underscores the importance of perseverance and steadfastness in the Christian walk.
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