Lexical Summary pronoia: Foresight, Providence Original Word: πρόνοια Strong's Exhaustive Concordance providence, provision. From pronoeo; forethought, i.e. Provident care or supply -- providence, provision. see GREEK pronoeo HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 4307 prónoia – properly, advance-knowledge ("forethought"), enabling (allowing for) something to happen. See 4306 (pronoeō). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom pronoeó Definition foresight, forethought NASB Translation providence (1), provision (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4307: πρόνοιαπρόνοια, προνοίας, ἡ (προνως), from (Aeschylus, Sophocles), Herodotus down, forethought, provident care: Acts 24:2 (3) (A. V. providence); ποιοῦμαι πρόνοιαν τίνος, to make provision for a thing (see ποιέω, I. 3, p. 526a top), Romans 13:14. Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope Strong’s Greek 4307 designates deliberate forethought that secures future benefit. In Scripture the word embraces both noble and ignoble planning: prudent governance that blesses a community (Acts 24:2) and self-indulgent scheming that nourishes sinful appetites (Romans 13:14). The term is therefore morally neutral in itself; worth or blame rests on the goal toward which the planning is directed. Occurrences in Scripture 1. Romans 13:14 – “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to gratify its desires.” Contrast of Motives • Provision for the flesh (Romans 13:14) = planning that feeds fallen impulses, placing human desire above obedience to Christ. Theological Significance 1. Human Responsibility vs. Divine Sovereignty Scripture upholds both careful planning (Proverbs 24:27; Luke 14:28) and absolute reliance on divine providence (Matthew 6:33). Believers are urged to think ahead without sliding into carnal self-preservation. Romans 13:14 places forethought under Christ’s lordship. Planning that is not surrendered to Him inevitably drifts toward gratifying “the desires of the flesh,” whereas Christ-centered planning advances holiness and service. Acts 24:2 shows the Greco-Roman ideal of a ruler whose foresight secures “peace” and “reforms.” While Tertullus exaggerates Felix’s virtues, the narrative illustrates how orderly government can be a common-grace blessing (cf. Romans 13:1-4). Historical Background • Greco-Roman Usage: Politicians and philosophers valued πρόνοια as sagacious statesmanship or even the cosmic “Providence” of the Stoics. Luke’s record retains the courtroom flavor of that culture. Related Concepts Forethought (Luke 14:28); Stewardship (1 Corinthians 4:2); Flesh vs. Spirit (Galatians 5:16-17); Providence of God (Romans 8:28). Practical Application • Personal Discipleship: Evaluate every plan—finances, vocation, leisure—by whether it nurtures the new life in Christ or the old nature. Observations for Ministry A pastor counseling believers saturated with consumer culture can wield Romans 13:14 to expose subtle “provisions” made for the flesh—credit-driven lifestyles, unfiltered media intake, or relationships lacking boundaries. Conversely, Acts 24:2 reminds leaders to thank civil servants whose foresight benefits the community, while discerning empty flattery from genuine praise. Summary The biblical witness warns that forethought, though necessary, becomes sinful when detached from submission to Christ. The Spirit redirects planning into channels of holiness, service, and societal blessing, transforming mere human foresight into cooperation with divine providence. Forms and Transliterations επρονομεύσαμεν επρονόμευσαν πεπρονομευμένος προενόμευσαν προνοιαν πρόνοιαν προνοιας προνοίας προνομευθήσεται προνομεύοντες προνομευόντων προνομεύουσιν προνομεύσαι προνομεύσαντας προνομεύσαντάς προνομευσάντων προνομεύσει προνομεύσεις προνομεύσης προνόμευσον προνομεύσουσι προνομεύσω προνομή προνομήν προνομής προοίμιον προοιμίω pronoian prónoian pronoias pronoíasLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 24:2 N-GFSGRK: τῆς σῆς προνοίας NAS: peace, and since by your providence reforms KJV: by thy providence, INT: your foresight Romans 13:14 N-AFS Strong's Greek 4307 |
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