The Greek word “aphorme”

Found in Rom. 7:8, 11; 2 Cor. 5:12; 11:12; Gal. 5:13; 1 Tim. 5:14, the Greek noun “aphorme” meant “occasion” or “opportunity.” Paul was the only New Testament writer to use this term and this word is used positively and negatively in the New Testament. Positively, this word means “an opportunity for boasting in 2 Cor. 5:12, and in the negative sense of the point of departure (RSV ‘claim’) of Paul’s opponents in 11:12” (Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament, 1:184).

In Gal. 5:13 Paul spoke about an “occasion” or “opportunity” for the flesh (doing wrong). H also warned young widows (1 Tim. 5:14) about evil “opportunities.” In Rom. 7:8, 11 this term is associated with sin.