3783. opheiléma

Lexicon

opheiléma: Debt, obligation

Original Word: ὀφείλημα
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: opheiléma
Pronunciation: o-fay'-lay-mah
Phonetic Spelling: (of-i'-lay-mah)
Definition: Debt, obligation
Meaning: a debt, offense, sin.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

debt.

From (the alternate of) opheilo; something owed, i.e. (figuratively) a due; morally, a fault -- debt.

see GREEK opheilo

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 3783 opheílēma (a neuter noun) – the result of having a debt, focusing on the after-effect of the obligation (note the -ma suffix).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from opheiló
Definition
that which is owed, a debt
NASB Translation
debts (1), what is due (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3783: ὀφείλημα

ὀφείλημα, ὀφειλητος, τό (ὀφείλω), that which is owed;

a. properly, that which is justly or legally due, a debt; so for מַשָּׁאָה, Deuteronomy 24:12 (10); ἀφιέναι, 1 Macc. 15:8; ἀποτίνειν, Plato, legg. 4, p. 717 b.; ἀποδιδόναι, Aristotle, eth. Nic. 9, 2, 5 (p. 1165a, 3). κατά ὀφείλημα, as of debt, Romans 4:4.

b. in imitation of the Chaldean חוב or חובָא (which denotes both debt and sin), metaphorically, offence, sin (see ὀφειλέτης, b.); hence, ἀφιέναι τίνι τά ὀφειλετα αὐτοῦ, to remit the penalty of one's sins, to forgive them, (Chaldean חובִין שְׁבַק), Matthew 6:12. (Cf. Winer's Grammar, 30, 32, 33.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb ὀφείλω (opheílō), meaning "to owe" or "to be indebted."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • Strong's Hebrew 5771: עָוֹן (avon) • Often translated as "iniquity" or "guilt," this term can imply a moral debt or obligation resulting from sin.
• Strong's Hebrew 2398: חָטָא (chata) • Meaning "to sin" or "to miss the mark," this verb can denote the incurrence of a moral or spiritual debt.
• Strong's Hebrew 5375: נָשָׂא (nasa) • Meaning "to lift" or "to bear," this verb is used in contexts of bearing or forgiving iniquity, akin to releasing a debt.

These Hebrew terms, while not direct translations, share thematic connections with the concept of ὀφείλημα as they relate to sin, guilt, and the need for forgiveness.

Usage: The word ὀφείλημα is used in the New Testament to describe both tangible debts and metaphorical obligations, particularly in the context of moral or spiritual duties.

Context: The Greek term ὀφείλημα appears in the New Testament primarily in contexts that discuss the concept of debt, both in a literal and figurative sense. In the Berean Standard Bible, it is notably found in the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:12: "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." Here, ὀφείλημα is used metaphorically to refer to sins or moral failings, which are seen as debts owed to God. The plea for forgiveness implies a release from these obligations, paralleling the forgiveness of financial debts.

The concept of ὀφείλημα extends beyond financial transactions to encompass moral and ethical responsibilities. In Romans 4:4, Paul uses a related form to discuss the idea of works and wages, illustrating the principle that what is owed is not considered a gift but an obligation. This highlights the broader theological theme of grace versus works, where human efforts are seen as insufficient to settle the spiritual debt owed to God.

The use of ὀφείλημα in the New Testament underscores the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation, both with God and among individuals. It reflects the transformative power of grace, which cancels the debts of sin and restores relationships.

Forms and Transliterations

οφειλημα οφείλημα ὀφείλημα οφειληματα οφειλήματα ὀφειλήματα opheilema opheilēma opheílema opheílēma opheilemata opheilēmata opheilḗmata

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 6:12 N-ANP
GRK: ἡμῖν τὰ ὀφειλήματα ἡμῶν ὡς
NAS: And forgive us our debts, as we also
KJV: us our debts, as we
INT: us the debts of us as

Romans 4:4 N-ANS
GRK: ἀλλὰ κατὰ ὀφείλημα
NAS: as a favor, but as what is due.
KJV: but of debt.
INT: but according to debt

Strong's Greek 3783
2 Occurrences

ὀφείλημα — 1 Occ.
ὀφειλήματα — 1 Occ.