TRESPASS

ISBE

tres'-pas: To pass over, to go beyond one's right in place or act; to injure another; to do that which annoys or inconveniences another; any violation of law, civil or moral; it may relate to a person, a community, or the state, or to offenses against God. The Hebrew 'asham ("sin"), is used very frequently in the Old Testament when the trespass is a violation of law of which God is the author. The Greek word is paraptoma. In the Old Testament an offering was demanded when the offense was against God: a female lamb; in other cases, according to the magnitude of the wrong, a ram or a goat; the offering was to be preceded by a confession by the one committing the trespass. If the trespass was against a human being, the wrong-doer must make it right with the person, and when reconciliation should have been effected, then the offering for sin was to be made. See under SACRIFICE, "Trespass Offering." If a person's property has been injured, then the trespasser shall add a fifth to the value of the property injured and give that to the injured party ( Le 6:5 ). Zaccheus, wanting to make full restitution, went beyond the demands of the Law ( Lu 19:1-9 ). The New Testament teaching on the subject is, first to be reconciled to the brother and then offer, or worship ( Mt 5:23 , 24 ). In all cases, also, the offended party must forgive if the offender shall say, "I repent" ( Mt 6:14 ; Eph 4:32 ; Col 3:13 ). We have been alienated by our trespasses from God ( Eph 2:1 ). It was the Father's good will to reconcile all to Himself through Christ ( Col 1:20-22 ). We must be reconciled to God ( 2Co 5:20 , 21 ). This being done, our trespasses shall be forgiven and we shall be justified. David Roberts Dungan