4284. proechó

Lexical Summary

proechó: To have advantage, to surpass, to excel

Original Word: προέχω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: proechó
Pronunciation: pro-eh'-kho
Phonetic Spelling: (pro-ekh-om-ahee)
KJV: be better
NASB: better
Word Origin: [middle voice from G4253 (πρό - before) and G2192 (ἔχω - have)]

1. to hold oneself before others
2. (figuratively) to excel

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

be better.

Middle voice from pro and echo; to hold oneself before others, i.e. (figuratively) to excel -- be better.

see GREEK pro

see GREEK echo

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from pro and echó
Definition
to hold before
NASB Translation
better (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4284: προέχω

προέχω ((from Homer down)): present middle 1 person plural προεχόμεθα; to have before or in advance of another, to have pre-eminence over another, to excel, to surpass; often so in secular authors from (Sophocles and) Herodotus down; middle to excel to one's advantage (cf. Kühner, § 375, 1); to surpass in excellences which can be passed to one's credit: Romans 3:9; it does not make against this force of the middle in the present passage that the use is nowhere else met with, nor is there any objection to an interpretation which has commended itself to a great many and which the context plainly demands. (But on this difficult word see especially James Morison, Critical Expos. of the Third Chap. of Romans, p. 93ff; Gifford in the 'Speaker's Commentary,' p. 96; Winer's Grammar, § 38, 6; § 39 at the end, cf. p. 554 (516).)

Topical Lexicon

Overview

Strong’s Greek 4284 appears one time in the New Testament, Romans 3:9, forming Paul’s question, “Are we any better?”. The verb raises the issue of moral or spiritual advantage and functions as a turning point in Paul’s argument: any imagined human superiority collapses before universal sin and the necessity of grace.

Biblical Context (Romans 3:9)

In Romans 1–3 Paul exposes Gentile ungodliness (1:18-32) and Jewish hypocrisy (2:1-29), concluding that both groups stand equally condemned. The single use of προεχόμεθα punctures ethnic and religious pride, reinforcing that “there is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:22-23). The apostle’s rhetorical question refutes the idea that covenant possession or moral striving places anyone closer to justification apart from faith in Jesus Christ (3:24-26).

Theological Significance

1. Universality of Sin: The verb dismisses every claim to intrinsic superiority, establishing the foundation for the doctrine of total depravity.
2. Impartiality of God: God’s righteous judgment (2:11) cannot be manipulated by heritage or works; only the atoning work of Christ satisfies divine justice.
3. Unity in Christ: Since no group “excels,” the gospel creates a single new humanity (Ephesians 2:14-16).

Historical Reception

• Early Church: Chrysostom cited Romans 3:9 to combat Judaizing tendencies and to stress God’s impartial grace.
• Reformation: Martin Luther’s commentary highlighted the passage as proof that neither sacramentalism nor lineage provides advantage; salvation is by faith alone.
• English Translations: Wycliffe (“Do we have any privilege?”), King James (“Are we better than they?”), Berean Standard (“Are we any better?”) consistently convey Paul’s negation of superiority.

Pastoral and Missional Application

• Humility: Congregations should resist ethnic, social, or denominational pride, remembering that all stand level at the foot of the cross.
• Evangelism: The universality of sin underscores the universal need for the gospel. Romans 3:9 equips believers to address both self-righteous religious moralists and irreligious skeptics.
• Unity and Reconciliation: In contexts of racial or cultural tension, the verse supplies biblical warrant for tearing down dividing walls; no party “has the advantage” regarding acceptance by God.

Related Concepts and Passages

• Covenant Privilege and Responsibility: Romans 3:1-2 notes real advantages (“the oracles of God”) yet these do not render Jews morally superior (3:9).
• Boasting Excluded: Romans 3:27; 4:2.
• Equality in Judgment and Mercy: Isaiah 53:6; Galatians 3:22; Titus 3:3-7.

Conclusion

Strong’s 4284, though occurring only once, crystallizes a major Pauline theme: every person, regardless of heritage or morality, is equally in need of redemption. The church must proclaim this levelling truth, celebrating the grace that alone grants true advantage—union with Christ.

Forms and Transliterations

προεχομεθα προεχόμεθα proechometha proechómetha

Englishman's Concordance

Romans 3:9 V-PIM/P-1P
GRK: Τί οὖν προεχόμεθα οὐ πάντως
NAS: then? Are we better than they? Not at all;
KJV: then? are we better [than they]? No,
INT: What then are we better not at all

Strong's Greek 4284
1 Occurrence

προεχόμεθα — 1 Occ.