from παρά and φέρω (including its alternate forms); to bear along or aside, i.e. carry off (literally or figuratively); by implication, to avert:--remove, take away.
Transliteration:paraphérō
Pronunciation:par-af-er'-o
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word G3911 παραφέρω (paraphérō) is a compound verb formed from παρά (para), meaning "beside," "alongside," or "away from," and φέρω (pherō) `{{G5342}}`, meaning "to bear" or "to carry." The combination yields a core meaning of "to bear along or aside," implying a movement that diverts from a direct path or removes something from its current position. Its semantic range extends to "carry off" (both literally and figuratively), and by implication, "to avert" or "to remove." This suggests a forceful or decisive action of displacement or avoidance.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The most prominent and theologically significant occurrences of G3911 παραφέρω are found in the Synoptic Gospels, specifically in the accounts of Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane:
* **[[Mark 14:36]]**: "And He said, 'Abba, Father, all things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.'"
* **[[Luke 22:42]]**: "saying, 'Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.'"
In these passages, παραφέρω is used in the imperative, "remove" or "take away," referring to the "cup" of suffering that Jesus was about to endure. This "cup" is a powerful metaphor for the full measure of divine wrath and judgment against sin, which Jesus, as the sin-bearer, was destined to drink. The use of παραφέρω here emphasizes Jesus' deep human anguish and his desire, in his humanity, for an alternative to the agony and separation from God that the cross entailed. It is a plea for the *aversion* of this specific, terrifying destiny. Despite this profound human desire, the subsequent clause in both verses ("yet not what I will, but what You will") highlights Jesus' ultimate submission to the Father's sovereign plan.
While some textual variants in [[Galatians 2:5]] might include a form of παραφέρω (meaning "to give way" or "to yield" to pressure), its primary and most impactful usage remains within the Gethsemane narrative, where it powerfully conveys the concept of averting or removing a dire fate.
### Related Words & Concepts
The meaning of G3911 παραφέρω is enriched by understanding its relationship to other Greek words:
* **φέρω (pherō)** `{{G5342}}`: The root verb, meaning "to bear," "carry," or "bring." The prefix παρά adds the nuance of carrying *aside* or *away from*.
* **αἴρω (airō)** `{{G142}}`: A common verb meaning "to lift," "take up," or "take away." While αἴρω can denote removal, παραφέρω often carries a stronger sense of diverting or averting a course.
* **ἀποφέρω (apopherō)** `{{G667}}`: To carry away from; similar in concept to removal.
* **ἐκφέρω (ekpherō)** `{{G1627}}`: To carry out or bring forth.
* **ἀπαλλάσσω (apallassō)** `{{G525}}`: To set free, release, or remove, often in the context of being rid of something.
* **The "cup" metaphor**: This imagery, particularly in the Old Testament (e.g., [[Isaiah 51:17]], [[Jeremiah 25:15]], [[Psalm 75:8]]), consistently symbolizes divine wrath, judgment, or appointed destiny. Jesus' prayer to "remove this cup" directly engages with this established biblical motif.
### Theological Significance
The use of G3911 παραφέρω in the Gethsemane accounts carries immense theological weight:
1. **Jesus' True Humanity**: The prayer to "remove this cup" powerfully underscores the genuine humanity of Jesus. He was not a stoic robot but experienced profound anguish, fear, and a natural human desire to avoid suffering and death. This raw expression of his will makes his subsequent submission all the more poignant and redemptive.
2. **The Nature of the Atonement**: The "cup" represents the full weight of God's righteous wrath against sin, which Jesus was to bear on the cross. His prayer for its removal highlights the terrifying reality of this burden and the absolute necessity of his suffering for human salvation. The fact that the cup was *not* removed signifies that no other way existed for humanity's redemption.
3. **Divine Sovereignty and Human Will**: Jesus' prayer, "remove this cup... nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will," is a profound demonstration of the perfect harmony between divine sovereignty and the Son's obedient human will. It is a prayer of honest desire, yet ultimately one of complete submission to the Father's redemptive purpose.
4. **The Depth of Sacrifice**: The intense struggle depicted by παραφέρω in Gethsemane reveals the immeasurable cost of salvation. Jesus knowingly and willingly embraced the suffering he desired to avert, demonstrating the ultimate act of self-giving love for the glory of God and the redemption of humanity.
### Summary
G3911 παραφέρω (paraphérō) fundamentally means "to carry past," "to divert," or "to remove/avert." Its most critical biblical usage is found in the Gethsemane narratives ([[Mark 14:36]], [[Luke 22:42]]), where Jesus prays for the "cup" of divine wrath and suffering to be "removed" from him. This word powerfully conveys Jesus' genuine human struggle and his desire to avert the agony of the cross. Theologically, it underscores His perfect humanity, the terrifying nature of the atonement He bore, and His ultimate, obedient submission to the Father's redemptive will, thereby revealing the profound depth of His sacrifice for humanity's salvation.
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