### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word παροίχομαι (paroíchomai), Strong's G3944, is a compound verb derived from the preposition παρά (para), meaning "beside, alongside, past," and the verb οἴχομαι (oíchomai), meaning "to go, to depart, to be gone." The combination yields a core meaning of "to have gone past," "to be past," or "to have departed." It carries the semantic nuance of something that has occurred, concluded, and is now in the past, often implying an irreversible state or a completed action in relation to time. The perfect tense, which is how it appears in the New Testament, reinforces this sense of a completed state with ongoing implications.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term παροίχομαι (paroíchomai) appears only once in the New Testament, found in the book of Acts:
* [[Acts 14:16]]: "who in times *past* suffered all nations to walk in their own ways."
* In this verse, Paul and Barnabas are addressing the people of Lystra, who are attempting to worship them as gods. Paul clarifies that the God they proclaim is the living God who "in times *past* (ἐν ταῖς παρῳχημέναις γενεαῖς)" allowed (ἀφῆκεν, *aphēken*) all nations to follow their own paths. The Greek phrase "παρῳχημέναις γενεαῖς" (parōichēmenais geneais) literally translates to "past generations" or "generations that have gone by."
* The context highlights a significant theological distinction between a former era and the present. The "times past" refer to the period before the full revelation of the Gospel through Jesus Christ. During this time, God, in His forbearance and general providence, did not intervene in the same direct and revelatory manner as He now does through the apostolic witness. The use of παροίχομαι emphasizes that this period is definitively concluded, setting the stage for a new epoch of divine activity and revelation. It marks a historical boundary, distinguishing the time of ignorance from the time of enlightenment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The analysis of παροίχομαι (paroíchomai) is enriched by considering its constituent parts and related concepts:
* **οἴχομαι (oíchomai):** The base verb `{{G3639}}` means "to go, to depart, to be gone." It often implies a definitive departure or cessation, reinforcing the sense of finality in παροίχομαι.
* **παρά (para):** The preposition `{{G3844}}` contributes the sense of "alongside," "by," or "past." In this compound, it strongly conveys the idea of moving beyond a point in time or a historical period.
* **Concepts of Time:** The word directly engages with the concept of past time, contrasting it with the present and implicitly, the future. Other Greek words for "time" such as καιρός (kairos) `{{G2540}}` (opportune time) or χρόνος (chronos) `{{G5550}}` (sequential time) help frame the theological significance of "past times" as a distinct epoch.
* **Divine Forbearance:** The context in [[Acts 14:16]] links παροίχομαι with God's allowing (ἀφῆκεν) nations to follow their own ways. This points to the concept of divine patience (cf. [[Romans 2:4]], [[Romans 3:25]]) and a period of relative "ignorance" (cf. [[Acts 17:30]]) before the full light of the Gospel.
### Theological Significance
The singular occurrence of παροίχομαι (paroíchomai) in [[Acts 14:16]] carries profound theological weight, underscoring key aspects of God's redemptive plan and His interaction with humanity:
* **Epochal Shift in Redemptive History:** The word highlights a definitive shift in God's dealings with humanity. The "times past" (παρῳχημέναις γενεαῖς) represent an era characterized by God's general providence and forbearance towards the Gentiles, a period where His full salvific truth was not yet universally revealed. The advent of the Gospel marks the end of this epoch and the beginning of a new one, where God's saving grace is openly proclaimed to all nations. This demonstrates the progressive nature of divine revelation.
* **Divine Patience and Accountability:** While God "suffered" or "allowed" nations to walk in their own ways during these "past times," this was not an endorsement of their idolatry or a lack of divine oversight. Rather, it speaks to God's immense patience and long-suffering. However, with the arrival of the Gospel, this period of relative "ignorance" (cf. [[Acts 17:30]]) is concluded, and humanity is now called to repentance, signifying a new level of accountability.
* **The Uniqueness of the Gospel Era:** The use of παροίχομαι emphasizes the unique and decisive nature of the Christian era. What was "past" is now superseded by the present reality of Christ's finished work and the proclamation of His kingdom. This underscores the urgency and necessity of responding to the Gospel, as the time of God's full revelation has dawned.
### Summary
The Greek word παροίχομαι (paroíchomai), Strong's G3944, meaning "to be past" or "to have gone by," is a rare but significant term in the New Testament, appearing exclusively in [[Acts 14:16]]. It describes the "past generations" or "times gone by" during which God, in His divine forbearance, allowed nations to pursue their own paths before the full revelation of the Gospel. This single usage profoundly marks a theological distinction between the pre-Christian era of divine patience and the new era inaugurated by Christ's advent. The word underscores the progressive nature of God's redemptive plan, highlighting a definitive epochal shift in His dealings with humanity, where a period of relative ignorance has concluded, and the full truth of salvation is now proclaimed to all.
TRV