Lexical Summary proginomai: To happen before, to occur previously Original Word: προγίνομαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance be past. From pro and ginomai; to be already, i.e. Have previousy transpired -- be past. see GREEK pro see GREEK ginomai HELPS Word-studies 4266 progínomai (from 4253 /pró, "before" and 1096 /gínomai, "become") – properly, "emerges from what is before," i.e. transition which brings results that only become apparent later (used only in Ro 3:25). Ro 3:25,26: "25Whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed (4266 /progínomai); 26for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus" (NASU). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom pro and ginomai Definition to happen before NASB Translation previously committed (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4266: προγίνομαιπρογίνομαι: perfect participle προγεγονώς; to become or arise before, happen before (so from Herodotus down (in Homer (Iliad 18, 525) to come forward into view)): προγεγονότα ἁμαρτήματα, sins previously committed, Romans 3:25. Topical Lexicon Semantic Field and Context The verb rendered “were previously committed” (Strong’s Greek 4266) conveys the idea of events or actions that have already transpired and now lie in the past. In Romans 3:25 the term stands in an accusative plural participial form, describing sins “that were previously committed.” Paul locates these past deeds in relation to God’s gracious patience, highlighting a time period during which the Lord withheld His full judicial response. Occurrence in the New Testament Romans 3:25 is the sole place where Strong’s 4266 appears: “God presented Him as the atoning sacrifice, through faith in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins previously committed.” (Berean Standard Bible) Old Testament Background The notion of God “passing over” or “overlooking” sin echoes several Old Testament themes: These texts foreshadow a divine patience that waits for the climactic provision of redemption. Paul’s Argument in Romans 3 1. Universal guilt (Romans 3:9-20) – Every mouth is silenced under the Law. By employing Strong’s 4266, Paul draws a line between former offenses left unpunished and the decisive satisfaction of divine justice in Christ. God’s earlier restraint was not indifference but purposeful forbearance aimed at the revelation of His Son. Theological Significance Justice and Mercy United The term underscores that God never ignored sin; He temporarily withheld retribution so that His righteousness might be displayed at the cross. This safeguards both divine justice (sin must be judged) and divine mercy (judgment falls upon the Substitute). Historical Sweep of Redemption The single occurrence of 4266 spans redemptive history: every transgression from Adam to Calvary was gathered and borne by Christ (Hebrews 9:15). Believers after the cross likewise rest in the same atonement, ensuring continuity in God’s saving purpose. Pastoral and Ministry Applications Assurance for Believers The sins “previously committed” include the darkest moments of a believer’s past. Romans 3:25 offers objective ground for assurance: those sins have met their full penalty in Jesus. Preaching the Gospel The term helps proclaim that God’s patience with sinners is not perpetual license but an invitation to repentance before the day of final reckoning (Romans 2:4; Acts 17:30-31). Counseling and Discipleship Believers burdened by guilt over earlier life choices can be directed to this verse, learning that divine delay was never divine neglect; it was purposeful grace culminating in perfect atonement. Related Concepts • Forbearance (Romans 2:4; 3:25) – God’s patient restraint. Summary Strong’s Greek 4266 marks a pivotal theological hinge: past sins once tolerated in divine patience are fully addressed at the cross. The term guards the integrity of God’s justice, magnifies His mercy, and assures believers that no sin predating their conversion—or predating Calvary itself—lies outside the reach of Christ’s atoning blood. Forms and Transliterations προγεγονοτων προγεγονότων progegonoton progegonotōn progegonóton progegonótōnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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