📖 Biblical Definition
A trespass is a specific act of sin construed as a crossing of a boundary or a falling-aside from the path of obedience. In Levitical law, it formed the basis for a specific category of sin offering — the asham, the trespass offering of Leviticus 5-7, required especially where the wrong involved sacred property or harm to a neighbor, and demanded restitution plus a fifth-part penalty. The Lord’s Prayer in Matthew’s version hangs the petition for forgiveness on our forgiveness of others’ trespasses: "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors... For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matthew 6:12, 14-15).
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
TRES'PASS, n.
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1. Any voluntary transgression of the moral law, or of the express rules of God; any violation of known rules of duty. 2. Any unjust, injurious, or offensive act committed against the person, property, or rights of another.
📖 Key Scripture
Matthew 6:14 — "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."
Ephesians 2:1 — "You hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins."
Leviticus 6:2 — "If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the Lord."
Romans 5:15 — "For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God... hath abounded unto many."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity prays the Lord's Prayer and conditions out the “forgive as we forgive” clause.
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Christ added a striking footnote to the Lord's Prayer right after teaching it: if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (Matt 6:14-15). The Lord deliberately tied receiving forgiveness to extending it. Modern Christianity prays this prayer weekly while harboring decades-old grudges.
The unforgiving servant in Matthew 18 illustrates the principle. He is forgiven a debt he could never repay; he then refuses to forgive a small debt owed him; the master delivers him to the tormentors until he pay all. Christ closes: so likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. Forgive. Today. The trespasses are real, and so is the warning.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek paraptoma (G3900); Hebrew asham (H817).
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G3900 — paraptoma — trespass; false step
H817 — asham — trespass, guilt offering
H4604 — maal — trespass, breach of covenant
Usage
"Modern Christianity prays the Lord's Prayer and conditions out the “forgive as we forgive” clause."
"Christ tied receiving forgiveness to extending it; the unforgiving servant ended in torment."
"Forgive today. The trespasses are real, and so is the warning."