Choris functions as both an adverb ('separately') and an improper preposition with the genitive ('without, apart from'), though the prepositional usage dominates in the New Testament. Paul and the author of Hebrews deploy it in theologically decisive ways: 'apart from the law, sin is dead' (Rom 7:8-9), 'without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness' (Heb 9:22), and 'apart from faith it is impossible to please God' (Heb 11:6). John 15:5 uses it for the vine and branches imagery: 'apart from me you can do nothing.' The word also appears in counting formulas — 'five thousand men, besides women and children' (Matt 14:21; 15:38) — where it means 'not counting, in addition to.' Spanish 'sin' and French 'sans' capture the privative force; the additive sense ('besides') sometimes surfaces as Spanish 'aparte de.'