Lexical Summary proginóskó: To foreknow, to know beforehand Original Word: προγινώσκω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance foreknow, know before. From pro and ginosko; to know beforehand, i.e. Foresee -- foreknow (ordain), know (before). see GREEK pro see GREEK ginosko HELPS Word-studies 4267 proginṓskō (from 4253 /pró, "before" and 1097 /ginṓskō, "to know") – properly, foreknow; used in the NT of "God pre-knowing all choices – and doing so without pre-determining (requiring) them" (G. Archer). [See also Jer 18:8-10 on the perfect harmony of divine sovereignty and human freedom.] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom pro and ginóskó Definition to know beforehand NASB Translation foreknew (2), foreknown (1), knowing...beforehand (1), known (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4267: προγινώσκωπρογινώσκω; 2 aorist 3 person singular προέγνω; perfect passive participle προεγνωσμενος; to have knowledge of beforehand; to foreknow: namely, ταῦτα, 2 Peter 3:17, cf. 2 Peter 3:14, 16; τινα, Acts 26:5; οὕς προέγνω, whom he (God) foreknew, namely, that they would love him, or (with reference to what follows) whom he foreknew to be fit to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, Romans 8:29 (τῶν εἰς αὐτόν (Χριστόν) πιστεύειν προεγνωσμενων, Justin Martyr, dialog contr Trypho, c. 42; προγινώσκει (ὁ Θεός) τινας ἐκ μετανοίας σωθήσεσθαι μέλλοντας, id. Apology 1:28); ὅν προέγνω, whose character he clearly saw beforehand, Rom. 11:( Strong’s Greek 4267 highlights a truth woven through Scripture: genuine, purposeful knowledge that exists before the fact. In its five New Testament appearances, the term is sometimes applied to God’s eternal counsel and sometimes to human advance knowledge. Both uses reinforce the storyline of redemption—God lovingly orders history, and believers are called to live wisely in light of what they have been shown beforehand. Foreknowledge in Redemptive History The Old Testament consistently presents God as One who “declares the end from the beginning” (Isaiah 46:10). The New Testament develops that theme: divine foreknowledge is not passive observation but an active, covenantal commitment. What God knows beforehand He graciously orders and secures for His glory and His people’s good. Thus foreknowledge intertwines with predestination, calling, justification, and glorification (Romans 8:29–30). Usage in Paul’s Letter to the Romans 1. Romans 8:29 emphasizes the unbreakable chain of redemption: “For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.” The verb anchors the believer’s assurance. God’s prior knowledge is personal and affectionate; He set His love on specific people long before they responded to the gospel. Usage in Petrine Writings 1. 1 Peter 1:20 speaks of Christ: “He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was revealed in these last times for your sake.” The term situates the atonement in eternity past; Calvary was no afterthought but the centerpiece of God’s predetermined plan. Human Foreknowledge: Acts 26:5 During Paul’s defense before Agrippa, the apostle recalls that many Jews “have known about me for a long time” (Acts 26:5). The usage is purely human; his former opponents could testify to the zealous Pharisee he once was. The contrast between divine and human foreknowledge is striking: people may know facts, but God foreknows destinies. Historical and Doctrinal Considerations From the early church fathers through the Reformers, interpreters recognized that divine foreknowledge entails loving intention, not mere foresight. Augustine connected Romans 8:29 with unconditional election; Calvin underscored that God “foreknew” His own in the sense of graciously choosing them. Later debates between Arminians and Calvinists centered on whether foreknowledge is conditioned on human faith or whether faith itself is the fruit of God’s foreknowing love. Throughout, orthodox theology affirms that God’s omniscience never conflicts with human responsibility. Pastoral and Ministry Implications • Assurance: Believers rest in a salvation that originated before time began. Related Concepts and Cross-References Foreknowledge interlocks with terms such as “choose” (Ephesians 1:4), “predestine” (Ephesians 1:5), and “appoint” (Acts 13:48). In each case, God’s initiative precedes human response, highlighting grace. Conversely, human advance knowledge (Acts 26:5; 2 Peter 3:17) calls for accountability, vigilance, and testimony. Summary Strong’s Greek 4267 underscores that history, salvation, and personal discipleship unfold under the gaze and guidance of One who knows the end from the beginning. Whether describing God’s eternal purposes or forewarning believers, the term invites confidence in providence, commitment to holiness, and joyful participation in the gospel’s advance. Englishman's Concordance Acts 26:5 V-PPA-NMPGRK: προγινώσκοντές με ἄνωθεν NAS: since they have known about me for a long time, KJV: Which knew me from the beginning, INT: who before knew me from the first Romans 8:29 V-AIA-3S Romans 11:2 V-AIA-3S 1 Peter 1:20 V-RPM/P-GMS 2 Peter 3:17 V-PPA-NMP Strong's Greek 4267 |
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