The Greek word paroíchomai, represented by G3944, means to escape along or be gone, often translated as past. It appears 1 times across 1 unique verses in the Bible. This rarity makes its single usage particularly significant, pointing to a specific, completed period of time.
The sole appearance of G3944 is in Acts, where it describes a previous era in God's plan. In his address at Lystra, Paul explains that in "times past," God "suffered all nations to walk in their own ways" Acts 14:16. The word establishes a clear distinction between the former state of the Gentile world and the new era of apostolic preaching, where the gospel was being extended to all people.
The context of G3944 in Acts 14:16 is clarified by several key surrounding words:
- G1074 geneá (generation): This word, translated as "times," refers to a generation or an age. Its use alongside paroíchomai emphasizes that God's permissive will toward the nations occurred during specific past ages Acts 14:16. It is used elsewhere to denote distinct periods, such as "from generation to generation" Luke 1:50.
- G1439 eáō (suffer): Meaning to permit or leave alone, this word explains how God related to the nations in times past. He suffered, or permitted, them to follow their own course Acts 14:16. This concept of divine permission is also seen when the council advised to "let them alone" to see if their work was of God Acts 5:38.
- G1484 éthnos (nation): This term, often referring to a non-Jewish or Gentile people, specifies who was left to their own ways. God's action in times past applied to "all nations" Acts 14:16, setting the stage for the Great Commission to teach "all nations" in a new way Matthew 28:19.
Though used only once, G3944 carries significant theological weight by marking a turning point in salvation history.
- Divine Sovereignty over History: The term past indicates that history is divided into distinct periods according to God's purpose. It shows that God's dealings with humanity are not uniform across all ages, as He sovereignly managed the era before the widespread proclamation of the gospel to the Gentiles Acts 14:16.
- God's Permissive Will: The use of paroíchomai with "suffered" G1439 introduces the concept of God's permissive will. In the "times past," He allowed the nations a degree of autonomy in their "own ways" Acts 14:16, a period that stands in contrast to the direct call to repentance now offered to all through Christ.
- Foundation for Gentile Mission: By defining the previous era as past, the term implicitly highlights the new work of God. The former age of being "suffered" to walk in their own ways had concluded, and a new age of calling all nations to God through the gospel had begun Matthew 28:19.
In summary, paroíchomai G3944 is a precise term that, despite its single use, is crucial for understanding the biblical view of history. It encapsulates the idea of a bygone era, specifically the time when God allowed the Gentile nations to proceed without the special revelation given to Israel. Its appearance in Acts 14:16 serves as a theological marker, distinguishing the "times past" from the new age of the gospel's universal reach, thereby providing a rationale for the apostolic mission to the Gentiles.
TRV