Pass Away

Greek Word Pronunciation: pa-RA-go
Strong’s Number: 3855
Goodrich/Kohlenberger Number: 4135
Key Verse: “The world is passing away.” -- 1 John 2:17

Parago is a compound verb comprised of para, denoting transitoriness, and ago, meaning “to lead.” It means to lead along, or metaphorically, to disappear or perish.

There are 6 places that reference Jesus as going along, passing by, or went (Matthew 9:9, 27, 20:30, Mark 1:16, Mark 15:21, and John 9:1). Mark 15:21 refers to Simon of Cyrene as a passer-by.

The remaining 3 verses all use passing away in the present tense, which refers to things in this world that are in a continual, ongoing state of disappearing or perishing.

1 Corinthians 7:31 says that “the form of this world is passing away.” After this world is burnt up, a new one, as to form and fashion, will arise. All that looks glorious and beautiful in the present world, as riches, honor, etc., are all mere show and appearance, having nothing solid and substantial in them. They are all fluid and transitory. At the end, there will be no more marrying, nor giving in marriage, no more buying and selling, no more of the present changes and vicissitudes of prosperity and adversity, of joy and sorrow. These scenes will be all removed, and quite a new face of things appear.

1 John 2:8 says that “darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining.” The picture is that of the darkness of sin and unbelief as passing by as a parade goes by on the street. All parades have an end. So will end someday the parade of Satan’s hosts. The genuine Light is God. The darkness passes away in proportion as the Light shines and increases.

1 JOHN 2:17 says, “The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.” The Christian must not love the Satanic world system, because of its temporary nature. It is in the continual process of disintegration, headed for destruction. In contrast to the temporary world, God’s will is permanent and unchangeable. Though the present age is doomed, God offers eternal life to His children.