Lexical Summary proorizó: To predestine, to foreordain Original Word: προορίζω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance determine before, ordain, predestinate. From pro and horizo; to limit in advance, i.e. (figuratively) predetermine -- determine before, ordain, predestinate. see GREEK pro see GREEK horizo HELPS Word-studies 4309 proorízō (from 4253 /pró, "before" and 3724 /horízō, "establish boundaries, limits") – properly, pre-horizon, pre-determine limits (boundaries) predestine. [4309 (proorízō) occurs six times in the NT (eight in the writings of Paul). Since the root (3724 /horízō) already means "establish boundaries," the added prefix (pro, "before") makes 4309 (proorízō) "to pre-establish boundaries," i.e. before creation.] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom pro and horizó Definition to predetermine, foreordain NASB Translation predestined (6). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4309: προορίζωπροορίζω: 1 aorist προορισα; 1 aorist passive participle προορισθεντες; to predetermine, decide beforehand, Vulg. (except in Acts)praedestino (R. V. to foreordain): in the N. T. of God decreeing from eternity, followed by an accusative with the infinitive Acts 4:28; τί, with the addition of πρό τῶν αἰώνων 1 Corinthians 2:7; τινα, with a predicate acc, to foreordain, appoint beforehand, Romans 8:29f; τινα εἰς τί, one to obtain a thing. Ephesians 1:5; προορισθεντες namely, κληρωθῆναι, Ephesians 1:11. (Heliodorus and ecclesiastical writings. (Ignatius ad Eph. tit.)) Topical Lexicon Scope and SenseStrong’s Greek 4309 speaks of God’s decisive appointment of events and people to their ordained end. The verb is consistently used of divine initiative that unfolds in time what was settled in eternity. Whether the subject is salvation, adoption, glorification, or the very death of Jesus Christ, the word frames history as the outworking of God’s purposeful counsel. Occurrences in the New Testament Acts 4:28 anchors the term in redemptive history: the cross happened according to “whatever Your hand and purpose had predestined to occur.” Here, predestination concerns events—assuring believers that even human hostility cannot overturn the divine plan. Romans 8:29-30 applies the verb to individuals: “those He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son… those He predestined He also called”. The tight sequence links predestination with every stage of redemption, underscoring its certainty. 1 Corinthians 2:7 sets the term in the realm of revelation. The gospel is “the wisdom of God in a mystery, that God predestined for our glory before time began.” What the rulers of this age dismissed was, in reality, the timeless design of God for the glory of His people. Ephesians 1 draws out purpose and praise. Verse 5: “He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will.” Verse 11 reiterates that believers have “an inheritance, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will.” The emphasis falls on God’s joy and comprehensive sovereignty. Theological Emphases 1. Divine Sovereignty The verb presents God as the sole architect of salvation and history. Human response is real and commanded, yet the decisive initiative rests with God, safeguarding His glory and the believer’s assurance. 2. Relationship to Foreknowledge Romans 8:29 names foreknowledge before predestination, indicating that God’s prior knowledge is not passive awareness but an intimate, covenantal choice that leads to predestining action. 3. Christ-Centered Goal Predestination is never abstract fate. It funnels toward union with Christ—conformity to His image, adoption through His work, and participation in His glory. The cross itself, predestined in Acts 4:28, is the means by which the predestined people are secured. 4. Assurance and Perseverance Because predestination brackets the entire redemptive process from foreknowledge to glorification, the believer’s future is grounded in God’s unchangeable purpose. This undergirds passages such as Romans 8:31-39, where nothing can separate God’s people from His love. Historical Reception Early church fathers linked the term to God’s foreordained plan but retained room for human responsibility. Augustine insisted that predestination is rooted solely in God’s grace, a view strengthened by the Reformers, who saw in 4309 the biblical foundation for unconditional election. Post-Reformation debates, especially between Reformed and Arminian theologians, turned on whether predestination is conditioned on foreseen faith or unconditioned by any human factor. Yet both streams treated the verb as affirming God’s right to order salvation. Pastoral and Missional Significance • Security in Suffering: The church in Acts derived boldness from knowing persecution and the cross itself were bound to God’s predestined plan. Integration with the Whole Counsel of Scripture Scripture presents predestination alongside universal gospel invitations (Isaiah 45:22; Revelation 22:17). Far from contradiction, the two strands reveal the breadth of divine mercy and the depth of divine purpose. The verb 4309 places believers within an unbreakable chain of grace while compelling earnest appeal to all people to repent and believe. Summary Through its six appearances, Strong’s 4309 unveils a God who lovingly, wisely, and effectively determines the destiny of His Son, His people, and history itself. The church’s confidence, worship, mission, and hope all rest on this firm foundation: “The plan of the LORD stands forever, the purposes of His heart to all generations” (Psalm 33:11, echoed by the New Testament use of προορίζω). Forms and Transliterations προορισας προορίσας προορισθεντες προορισθέντες πρόπαπποι προώρισε προωρισεν προώρισεν proorisas proorísas proorisen proōrisen proṓrisen prooristhentes prooristhéntesLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 4:28 V-AIA-3SGRK: βουλὴ σου προώρισεν γενέσθαι NAS: and Your purpose predestined to occur. KJV: counsel determined before to be done. INT: purpose of you predetermined to come to pass Romans 8:29 V-AIA-3S Romans 8:30 V-AIA-3S 1 Corinthians 2:7 V-AIA-3S Ephesians 1:5 V-APA-NMS Ephesians 1:11 V-APP-NMP Strong's Greek 4309 |
    |