Generosity

Generosity

11/30/2022

Preface:

Definition — Trespass

“Strong’s #3900: paraptoma (pronounced par-ap’-to-mah)

from 3895; a side-slip (lapse or deviation), i.e. (unintentional) error or (wilful) transgression: — fall, fault, offense, sin, trespass.”

Thayer’s Greek Lexicon:

“paraptōma

1) to fall beside or near something

2) a lapse or deviation from truth and uprightness

2a) a sin, misdeed

Relation: from G3895”Citing in TDNT: 6:170, 846”

Even if it is just a “sideslip” it still falls into this reference, “All have sinned and fallen short…” and needs rectification with people or with God, as in “Sorry. Will you forgive me?” “Of course I will!”

When I thought about the definition I had found and posted yesterday, I realized something I had not thought about before. In the version of Lord’s Prayer I memorized as a child, it used the word “trespass,” as in “forgive us our trespasses.” In the Greek word studies I read, there seemed to be an indication of a slightly different tone for its concept of sin.. A different Greek word was used than used which I hadn’t noticed before — like the different words that the Inuits use for different types of snow.

The closest modern saying I can think of is “Don’t sweat the small stuff.”

Part of the definition of “trespass” in Thayer’s Greek Lexicon is a little different from the usual concept of sin. A trespass is “a lapse or deviation from truth and uprightness.” The idea of “sin” is doing something which causes real harm to people, and further, the concept of “abomination” indicates a malignancy causing great harm over a long period of time.

These trespasses are types of sin which are slip ups, accidentally stepping on someone’s toes, tripping over your own feet, or saying the wrong thing at the wrong time.

Jesus, the generous person that He is, doesn’t want us to make a big deal about them. However, He does want us to apologize for them — both to Him and to our neighbors. (Little debts can pile up quickly.) Jesus doesn’t want us to hold others’ feet to the fire or be harsh with ourselves. If we expect easy forgiveness, we should be easily forgiving and be generous to others in the same way that God deals with us.

This kindness, this generosity, leads to good health — both physically and mentally. It frees up our spirits. But what if we are stingy? Proverbs 17:22 gives a little insight to the consequences:

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” — New International Version.

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” — New Living Translation

So, be generous. “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” — Psalm 30:5 — English Standard Version.