πάρεσις G3929
passing over, letting go, remission, temporary suspension of punishment
Originally meaning a letting go or dismissal, this term came to denote remission, passing over offenses, or temporary suspension of judgment. Romans 3:25 uses it to describe God's passing over sins previously committed in his forbearance. The term is not full forgiveness (aphesis) but the divine patience that delays punishment, creating space for redemption. God's restraint in not immediately judging sin reveals both justice (sin requires atonement) and mercy (patience waits for Christ).
Senses
1. sense 1 — Romans 3:25 speaks of the 'passing over' (πάρεσιν) of previously committed sins. The translation evidence (English 'passing-over', Spanish 'pasar-por-alto', German 'Vorbeigehen') captures God's forbearance. Paul's distinction matters: God didn't ignore or erase pre-cross sins but suspended judgment until Christ's atoning death. The cross demonstrates both justice (sins couldn't be dismissed) and mercy (patience created room for redemption). Divine forbearance wasn't indifference but strategic grace. 1×
AR["التَّجاوُزِ"]·ben["উপেক্ষা"]·DE["Vorbeigehen"]·EN["passing-over"]·FR["réconfort"]·heb["מְחִילָה"]·HI["उपेक्षा"]·ID["membiarkan"]·IT["tolleranza"]·jav["nglèncrèng"]·KO["넘김"]·PT["perdão"]·RU["прощения"]·ES["pasar-por-alto"]·SW["kusamehe"]·TR["geçişi"]·urd["درگزر"]
Related Senses
G0630 1. release, set free (32×)G0630 2. dismiss, send away (18×)G0630 3. divorce, put away spouse (15×)G0859 1. forgiveness (15×)G2644 1. reconcile, restore to right relationship (6×)H8059 1. (5×)G0447 1. (4×)G2643 1. (4×)H8058 1. release, remit (debts/land) (4×)G0604 1. (3×)H3722a 3. forgive, pardon directly (Piel) (3×)H5547 1. (3×)G0630 4. forgive, pardon (2×)G1245 1. (2×)H3722a 5. cover, conceal sin (Piel) (2×)G0630 5. (1×)G1259 1. (1×)G4774 1. (1×)H3722a 6. (1×)H3722a 7. (1×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
πάρεσις, εως, ἡ, letting go, dismissal, τινὸς ἐκ Συρακουσῶν Refs 1st c.AD+“Comp.Dion. Brut.” 2; release, Refs 1st c.BC+ __IIslackening of strength, paralysis, Refs 5th c.BC+ __II.2 metaphorically, ἡ ἀπὸ τῆς ὕλης π. Refs 5th c.AD+ __IIIremission of debts, χρημάτων π. Refs 3rd c.BC+; of sins, NT __IV neglect, Refs 2nd c.AD+