Lexical Summary prosdechomai: To receive, to welcome, to expect, to await Original Word: προσδέχομαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance awaitFrom pros and dechomai; to admit (to intercourse, hospitality, credence, or (figuratively) endurance); by implication, to await (with confidence or patience) -- accept, allow, look (wait) for, take. see GREEK pros see GREEK dechomai HELPS Word-studies 4327 prosdé 4327/prosdé [The high level of personal involvement (interest) motivating 4327 (prosdéxomai) accounts for why it is always in the Greek middle voice.] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom pros and dechomai Definition to receive to oneself NASB Translation accepted (1), accepting (1), cherish (1), looking (3), receive (2), receives (1), waiting (5), waiting anxiously (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4327: προσδέχομαιπροσδέχομαι; deponent middle; imperfect προσεδεχόμην; 1 aorist προσεδεξαμην; 1. as in Greek writings from Aeschylus and Herodotus down, "to receive to oneself, to admit, to give access to oneself': τινα, to admit one, receive into contact and companionship, τούς ἁμαρτωλούς, Luke 15:2; to receive one (coming from some place), Romans 16:2; Philippians 2:29 (1 Chronicles 12:18); τί, to accept (not to reject) a thing offered: οὐ προσδεξάμενοι, to reject, Hebrews 11:35; προσδέχονται ἐλπίδα, to admit (accept) hope, i. e. not to repudiate but to entertain, embrace, its substance, Acts 24:15 (others refer this to the next head (R. V. text look for)); not to shun, to bear, an impending evil (A. V. took the spoiling etc.), Hebrews 10:34. 2. as from Homer down, to expect (A. V. look for, trait for): τινα, Luke 12:36; τί, Mark 15:43; Luke 2:25, 38; Luke 23:51; (Acts 23:21); Titus 2:13; Jude 1:21; τάς ἐπαγγελίας, the fulfilment of the promises, Hebrews 11:13 Lachmann (Cf. δέχομαι, at the endl The verb translated “await,” “look for,” or “receive” threads fourteen times through the New Testament, painting a single portrait: God’s people live in active anticipation that issues in concrete acts of welcoming faith. Whether Israel’s longing for Messiah, the Church’s yearning for Christ’s return, or the saints’ open-armed acceptance of fellow believers, each context unites watchful hope with ready reception. Messianic Longing in First-Century Israel Luke introduces the term in two cameo scenes that embody faithful remnant expectation. These instances demonstrate that biblical waiting is never passive resignation. Those who looked for redemption were daily in the temple, immersed in worship, ready to herald fulfillment the moment God acted. Anticipation of the Kingdom of God Joseph of Arimathea personifies a similar expectancy amid dark circumstances. Mark 15:43 describes him as “waiting for the kingdom of God” when he courageously asked Pilate for Jesus’ body. Luke 23:51 repeats the description. Even during the apparent defeat of the Crucifixion, Joseph’s forward-looking faith moved him to a costly deed of honor. The kingdom hope was not abstract; it demanded decisive, public allegiance to the King. Paul testifies that non-Christian Jews shared an eschatological expectancy, though misconstrued. Before Felix he declares, “I have the same hope in God that these men themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked” (Acts 24:15). Here the verb shades toward “accept,” indicating doctrinal assent. The shared belief in resurrection underscores the continuity of God’s redemptive plan from Old Covenant to New. Eschatological Hope of the Church For believers after Pentecost the word blossoms into explicit hope for the Lord’s return. • Titus 2:13: “as we await the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” Hebrews applies the concept to endurance under persecution. The readers had “joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property” (Hebrews 10:34) and were among those “who were tortured, refusing release, so that they might attain a better resurrection” (Hebrews 11:35). Eager anticipation of an eternal inheritance armed them to sacrifice temporal comforts. Practical Hospitality in Christian Ministry The same verb translates into tangible welcome within the body of Christ. • Romans 16:2: “Welcome her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints,” Paul writes of Phoebe. True expectancy of Christ’s grace manifests in embracing His servants. The early Church’s missionary expansion depended on homes and congregations that stood ready to receive travelers, widows, and persecuted believers. Prosdechomai therefore binds eschatological hope to present hospitality: those who await the coming King honor His ambassadors now. Christ’s Reception of Sinners Luke 15:2 charges Jesus: “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Here the verb frames the gospel itself. Because the Lord receives the penitent, He teaches His followers to mirror that grace. The parables that follow—the Lost Sheep, Coin, and Son—explain heaven’s jubilation over one sinner who comes home. Jesus’ ministry is the ultimate enactment of prosdechomai: God awaiting and receiving the contrite. A Dark Counter-Example Acts 23:21 records conspirators who “are waiting for him,” plotting Paul’s death. Their malignant expectancy, though using the same verb, vividly contrasts righteous anticipation. Scripture thus warns that the human heart will either await God’s salvation or scheme for evil; no neutral posture exists. Historical and Ministry Significance 1. Covenant Continuity: From Simeon’s yearning to the Church’s blessed hope, the verb tracks one unbroken line of expectation fulfilled in first advent and destined for consummation at the second. Present Application • Cultivate watchful prayer shaped by the promise of Christ’s return (Luke 12:36; Revelation 22:20). Summary Strong’s Greek 4327 captures the heartbeat of biblical faith: confident expectancy that readies itself to embrace God’s purposes and God’s people. From the temple courts of Jerusalem to the scattered house-churches of the Roman Empire, those who “await” become those who “welcome,” and thereby display the living hope that will be fully realized when the Lord whom we look for finally appears. Englishman's Concordance Mark 15:43 V-PPM/P-NMSGRK: αὐτὸς ἦν προσδεχόμενος τὴν βασιλείαν NAS: himself was waiting for the kingdom KJV: which also waited for the kingdom INT: himself was waiting for the kingdom Luke 2:25 V-PPM/P-NMS Luke 2:38 V-PPM/P-DMP Luke 12:36 V-PPM/P-DMP Luke 15:2 V-PIM/P-3S Luke 23:51 V-IIM/P-3S Acts 23:21 V-PPM/P-NMP Acts 24:15 V-PIM/P-3P Romans 16:2 V-ASM-2P Philippians 2:29 V-PMM/P-2P Titus 2:13 V-PPM/P-NMP Hebrews 10:34 V-AIM-2P Hebrews 11:35 V-APM-NMP Jude 1:21 V-PPM/P-NMP Strong's Greek 4327 |
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