Lexical Summary prognósis: Foreknowledge Original Word: πρόγνωσις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance foreknowledge. From proginosko; forethought -- foreknowledge. see GREEK proginosko HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 4268 prógnōsis (from 4267 /proginṓskō, "foreknow") – properly, foreknowledge. 4268 (prógnōsis) occurs twice in the NT, both times of "God's absolute foreknowledge." See 4267 (proginōskō). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom proginóskó Definition foreknowledge NASB Translation foreknowledge (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4268: πρόγνωσιςπρόγνωσις, προγνωσεως, ἡ (προγινώσκω); 1. foreknowledge: Judith 9:6 Judith 11:19 (Plutarch, Lucian, Herodian). 2. forethought, prearrangement (see προβλέπω): 1 Peter 1:2; Acts 2:23 (but cf. προγινώσκω, and see Meyer on Acts, the passage cited). The noun πρόγνωσις (prognōsis) denotes the prior knowledge and purposeful awareness of God that undergirds His sovereign actions in history. More than mere foresight, it is the personal, relational knowing by which God sets His redemptive plan in motion and lovingly fixes His regard upon His people before their existence in time. Biblical Occurrences • Acts 2:23 – God’s πρόγνωσις stands behind the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Relation to Divine Sovereignty Prognōsis functions in Scripture as part of a pair: “the determined plan and foreknowledge of God” (Acts 2:23). Together they affirm that nothing in salvation history happens by chance. Divine foreknowledge guarantees that God’s purposes are settled, certain, and perfectly wise, while never negating human responsibility; Peter still charges his hearers with the guilt of Christ’s death. Connection with Christ’s Redemptive Work (Acts 2:23) “ He was delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you, with the help of wicked men, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross.” Here πρόγνωσις reveals: Foreknowledge and Election of Believers (1 Peter 1:2) “ elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, and sanctified by the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by His blood …” In the epistle’s opening benediction: Old Testament Foundations Although the noun does not appear in the Septuagint, the concept saturates the Hebrew Scriptures. God “knew” Abraham (Genesis 18:19), formed Jeremiah in the womb (Jeremiah 1:5), and foreordained the Servant’s atoning work (Isaiah 42:9; 53:10-11). The prophetic corpus rests on the conviction that God’s foreknowledge ensures the reliability of His word (Isaiah 44:6-8). Theological Implications 1. Omniscience: God’s knowledge spans all possibilities and certainties (Psalm 139:1-6). Historical Interpretation in the Church • Patristic writers such as Augustine saw foreknowledge as inseparable from predestination. Practical Ministry Applications • Pastoral Comfort: Suffering believers can anchor their hope in God’s prior loving commitment (1 Peter 4:19). Relation to Prophecy and Assurance Prognōsis validates prophecy: only the One who declares “the end from the beginning” (Isaiah 46:10) can pledge future events. Consequently, the believer’s confidence in the promises of God—resurrection, final judgment, eternal life—rests upon His unfailing foreknowledge. Summary Strong’s Greek 4268, πρόγνωσις, encapsulates the loving and purposeful foreknowledge of God that ordains both the cross of Christ and the calling of every saint. It secures the believer’s past, present, and future, harmonizing divine sovereignty with human responsibility, and transforming theology into adoration and steadfast ministry. Englishman's Concordance Acts 2:23 N-DFSGRK: βουλῇ καὶ προγνώσει τοῦ θεοῦ NAS: plan and foreknowledge of God, KJV: and foreknowledge of God, INT: plan and foreknowledge of God 1 Peter 1:2 N-AFS Strong's Greek 4268 |
    |