4278. proenarchomai

Lexical Summary

proenarchomai: To begin beforehand, to commence earlier

Original Word: προενάρχομαι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: proenarchomai
Pronunciation: pro-en-AR-kho-my
Phonetic Spelling: (pro-en-ar'-khom-ahee)
KJV: begin (before)
NASB: first to begin, previously made, previously made a beginning
Word Origin: [from G4253 (πρό - before) and G1728 (ἐνάρχομαι - began)]

1. to commence already

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

begin

From pro and enarchomai; to commence already -- begin (before).

see GREEK pro

see GREEK enarchomai

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from pro and enarchomai
Definition
to begin before
NASB Translation
first to begin (1), previously made (1), previously made a beginning (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4278: προενάρχομαι

προενάρχομαι: 1 aorist προενηρξαμην; to make a beginning before: 2 Corinthians 8:6; τί, 2 Corinthians 8:10 (here others render 'to make a beginning before others,' 'to be the first to make a beginning,' (cf. Meyer ad loc.)). Not found elsewhere.

Topical Lexicon

Overview

Strong’s Greek 4278 (proenarchomai) occurs twice in the New Testament, both times in 2 Corinthians 8. The verb denotes beginning earlier, having already made a start, or initiating beforehand. Within Paul’s appeal for the Corinthian contribution to the Jerusalem saints, the term frames both the historical sequence and the moral force of completing a work once grace has prompted its commencement.

Usage in Scripture

• 2 Corinthians 8:6 – “So we urged Titus to help complete this act of grace, just as he had already begun.”
• 2 Corinthians 8:10 – “And in this matter I give my opinion: It is to your advantage, since last year you were the first not only to give but even to have the desire to do so.”

In verse 6 the aorist indicative (προενήρξατο) recalls Titus’ earlier initiative in organizing the collection; verse 10 employs the second-person plural (προενήρξασθε) to remind the Corinthian believers that they themselves pioneered the effort the previous year. Together the occurrences bind leadership and congregation to the same imperative: a grace-initiated start must be followed by a grace-enabled finish.

Historical Background

Paul was coordinating a relief offering for impoverished believers in Jerusalem (Acts 24:17; Romans 15:25-27). Macedonia had already responded with remarkable liberality despite its own afflictions (2 Corinthians 8:1-5). Corinth, wealthy yet spiritually distracted, needed encouragement to translate early enthusiasm into completed action. The earlier visit of Titus had launched the effort; Paul now writes from Macedonia during his third missionary journey (circa A.D. 55-56) urging renewed diligence before he arrives in person (2 Corinthians 9:3-5).

Theological Significance

Grace precedes and empowers human action. The Corinthian believers “began before” because divine favor stirred their hearts; the completion would likewise be a manifestation of grace (2 Corinthians 8:6-7). The verb therefore supports the wider Pauline theme that sanctifying obedience, while volitional, is grounded in God’s prior work (Philippians 2:12-13).

A second emphasis is the integrity of Christian witness. An initiated benevolent project, left unfinished, compromises testimony. Paul’s exhortation reflects the biblical pattern that beginnings are validated by corresponding ends (cf. Ecclesiastes 7:8; Luke 14:28-30).

Ministry Application

1. Leadership Continuity—Titus models pastoral responsibility: having launched a ministry endeavor, he returns to see it through.
2. Congregational Follow-through—Believers are urged to match earliest intentions with consistent obedience. Stewardship is not a burst of emotion but a sustained practice.
3. Accountability Structures—Paul uses correspondence, trusted delegates, and public commendation (2 Corinthians 8:16-24) to safeguard both the funds and the reputations involved.

Related Biblical Principles

• Divine Initiative: God “began” the work of salvation and will “perfect” it (Philippians 1:6); the Corinthians mirror this paradigm in practical generosity.
• Perseverance: “Let us not grow weary in well-doing” (Galatians 6:9) applies equally to financial commitments.
• Corporate Solidarity: Early Gentile churches tangibly honored their spiritual debt to Jewish believers (Romans 15:27), demonstrating that fellowship transcends geography and ethnicity.

Reflections on Perseverance and Completion

Proenarchomai reminds every generation that spiritual momentum must not dissipate. Whether building a church, supporting missions, or pursuing personal holiness, beginnings are to be nurtured into maturity. The God who stirs hearts to start provides the grace to finish; believers are called to cooperate with that grace in concrete, timely obedience.

Conclusion

Strong’s 4278 anchors a pivotal pastoral appeal: the Corinthians’ prior start in generosity should culminate in the joyful fulfillment of their pledge. The term thus serves as both historical marker and enduring exhortation—what grace has prompted, faith must complete.

Forms and Transliterations

προενηρξασθε προενήρξασθε προενηρξατο προενήρξατο proenerxasthe proenērxasthe proenḗrxasthe proenerxato proenērxato proenḗrxato

Englishman's Concordance

2 Corinthians 8:6 V-AIM-3S
GRK: ἵνα καθὼς προενήρξατο οὕτως καὶ
NAS: Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so
KJV: that as he had begun, so he would
INT: that as he before began so also

2 Corinthians 8:10 V-AIM-2P
GRK: τὸ θέλειν προενήρξασθε ἀπὸ πέρυσι
NAS: who were the first to begin a year ago
KJV: who have begun before, not
INT: the being willing began before from a year ago

Strong's Greek 4278
2 Occurrences

προενήρξασθε — 1 Occ.
προενήρξατο — 1 Occ.