### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word **paraplḗsion**, represented by `{{G3897}}`, means **nigh unto**. It is an adverb used to figuratively describe being close by or almost at a certain state. This specific term appears only **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the Bible, making its single usage particularly significant.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole appearance of `{{G3897}}` is in [[Philippians 2:27]], where it describes a person who was gravely ill. The text states he was "sick **nigh** unto death," using the word to emphasize the extreme severity of his condition. This proximity to death underscores the gravity of the situation and sets the stage for the divine intervention that follows. The use of `{{G3897}}` highlights that the individual had reached the very brink of death before God's mercy was shown.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words in its immediate context help clarify its meaning:
* `{{G770}}` **asthenéō** (to be feeble, sick, weak): This is the state of sickness that brought the individual "nigh unto death." It describes a condition of being impotent or weak, whether physically or in faith [[Romans 14:1]].
* `{{G2288}}` **thánatos** (death): This is the ultimate state that was narrowly avoided. Scripture presents it as the consequence of sin [[Romans 6:23]] but also as an event that can be overcome through God [[Revelation 21:4]].
* `{{G1653}}` **eleéō** (to have compassion, mercy): This is the divine action that reversed the situation. The nearness of death makes God's act of mercy on the sick man—and by extension, on the author—more profound [[Romans 9:16]].
* `{{G3077}}` **lýpē** (sadness, grief, sorrow): This term describes the emotional consequence that was averted. The author states that God’s mercy prevented him from having "sorrow upon sorrow," a feeling intensified by the life-threatening illness.
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{G3897}}` is tied directly to its singular, dramatic context.
* **Divine Providence:** The word's use to describe being "nigh unto death" powerfully illustrates God's sovereignty over life and death. It demonstrates that even in the most dire circumstances, divine mercy `{{G1653}}` can intervene to alter the outcome.
* **Human Frailty:** By emphasizing the closeness to death `{{G2288}}` due to sickness `{{G770}}`, the term highlights the fragile and dependent nature of human existence, pointing to God as the ultimate sustainer of life.
* **Communal Interdependence:** The passage links one person's near-death experience to the potential for overwhelming sorrow `{{G3077}}` in another. This shows how believers' lives are interconnected, where the trial of one member deeply affects the well-being of others.
### Summary
In summary, `{{G3897}}` is a precise and impactful word, which, despite its rarity, provides a powerful illustration of a key biblical theme. In its only appearance, it depicts a state of being on the verge of death, thereby magnifying the significance of God's subsequent act of mercy. It serves as a reminder of human vulnerability, the depth of divine compassion, and the interconnected nature of the community of faith.
TRV