Lexical Summary prolegó: To foretell, to predict, to say beforehand Original Word: προλέγω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance foretell, tell before. From pro and lego; to say beforehand, i.e. Predict, forewarn -- foretell, tell before. see GREEK pro see GREEK lego HELPS Word-studies 4302 prolégō (from 4253 /pró, "in advance" and 3004 /légō, "speaking to a conclusion") – properly, to say (conclude) beforehand, declaring in advance. For the believer, 4302 /prolégō ("summarize in advance") is admonishing someone to follow the Lord's leading (direction) – to spare them from certain pain (cf. Gal 5:21; 1 Thes 3:4). To foretell this by God's inspiration (light) requires us to have a holy boldness to share an important opinion (judgment) to warn or prepare someone. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom pro and legó Definition to say beforehand, i.e. to predict NASB Translation forewarn (1), say in advance (1), telling...in advance (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4302: προλέγωπρολέγω; imperfect προελεγον; to say beforehand, to predict, (so from Aeschylus and Herodotus down): 2 Corinthians 13:2; Galatians 5:21; 1 Thessalonians 3:4; (some (see R. V. marginal reading) would give προ( the sense of plainly in all these examples; cf. Liddell and Scott, under the word II. 2, and see πρό, d. ἆ. at the end). Topical Lexicon Idea of Speaking in AdvanceStrong’s Greek 4302 gathers several cognate forms that describe speaking before an event, repeating a prior message, or reminding hearers of an earlier divine word. Whether rendered “warn,” “tell beforehand,” “foretell,” or “say previously,” the term consistently portrays God’s gracious habit of giving advance notice, so that His people may recognize truth, repent of sin, and stand firm when trials arrive. Christ’s Predictive Instruction Jesus employs the verb in the Olivet Discourse: “See, I have told you in advance” (Matthew 24:25) and “I have told you everything in advance” (Mark 13:23). The context is eschatological turbulence—false prophets, persecution, cosmic signs. By warning ahead of time, the Lord not only authenticates His own prophetic office but also equips disciples with discernment and steadfastness. The forewarning produces watchfulness rather than speculation; it directs the Church to gospel mission amid tribulation. Paul’s Pastoral Forewarnings 1. Holiness and inheritance. “I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:21). Moral exhortation is anchored in repeated, clear proclamation. Prophetic Continuity with the Old Testament Romans 9:29 cites Isaiah, affirming that what “was said beforehand” now illumines God’s present work with Jew and Gentile. Hebrews 4:7 recalls David’s centuries-old exhortation: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” In each case the past utterance retains full authority in the present, illustrating Scripture’s unified storyline and the abiding voice of God speaking through human authors. Apostolic Reminders and Eschatological Vigilance Peter and Jude urge remembrance of words “spoken in the past” (2 Peter 3:2; Jude 1:17). The warnings address mockers who deny the Lord’s return. The early Church’s defense against doctrinal erosion lay in calling disciples back to what had already been clearly proclaimed. Forewarning safeguards orthodoxy. Ethical and Pastoral Significance • Grace precedes judgment. Divine warnings give space for repentance (compare Jonah’s preaching; principle echoed in Galatians 5:21). Historical Reception Post-apostolic writers such as Clement of Rome and Polycarp echo the pattern: quoting Christ and the apostles, they remind congregations of teachings “spoken before.” Early catechetical instruction (Didache) similarly frames ethical mandates as the preservation of a prior divine warning. Throughout church history, creeds and confessions function as collective “fore-speaking,” restating Scripture’s voice for each generation. Contemporary Ministry Application 1. Expository preaching should highlight the biblical practice of forewarning—expounding prophecies of Christ’s return, ethical “vice lists,” and promised trials. Summary Wherever Strong’s 4302 and its cognates appear, the Spirit is emphasizing advance communication—God speaks before He acts, so that His people may trust, obey, and endure. The Church’s privilege and responsibility is to echo that same forewarning, preserving the faith once for all delivered and preparing hearts for the consummation of all things. Forms and Transliterations προειπαμεν προείπαμεν προειπε προεῖπε προεῖπεν προειπον προεῖπον προειρηκα προείρηκα προειρηκαμεν προειρήκαμεν προειρηκεν προείρηκεν προειρημενων προειρημένων προειρηται προείρηται προελεγομεν προελέγομεν προλεγω προλέγω προλέγων προλήνιον πρόλοβον proeipamen proeípamen proeipen proeîpen proeipon proeîpon proeireka proeirēka proeíreka proeírēka proeirekamen proeirēkamen proeirḗkamen proeireken proeirēken proeíreken proeírēken proeiremenon proeireménon proeirēmenōn proeirēménōn proeiretai proeirētai proeíretai proeírētai proelegomen proelégomen prolego prolegō prolégo prolégōLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 24:25 V-RIA-1SGRK: ἰδοὺ προείρηκα ὑμῖν INT: Behold I have foretold [it] to you Mark 13:23 V-RIA-1S Romans 9:29 V-RIA-3S 2 Corinthians 7:3 V-RIA-1S 2 Corinthians 13:2 V-RIA-1S 2 Corinthians 13:2 V-PIA-1S Galatians 1:9 V-RIA-1P Galatians 5:21 V-PIA-1S Galatians 5:21 V-AIA-1S 1 Thessalonians 3:4 V-IIA-1P 1 Thessalonians 4:6 V-AIA-1P Hebrews 4:7 V-RIM/P-3S 2 Peter 3:2 V-RPM/P-GMP Jude 1:17 V-RPM/P-GNP Strong's Greek 4302 |
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