Lexical Summary proskléroó: To assign by lot, to attach, to join Original Word: προσκληρόω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance consort with. From pros and kleroo; to give a common lot to, i.e. (figuratively) to associate with -- consort with. see GREEK pros see GREEK kleroo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom pros and kléroó Definition to allot to NASB Translation joined (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4345: προσκληρόωπροσκληρόω, προσκλήρω: 1 aorist passive 3 person plural προσεκληρώθησαν; to add or assign to by lot, to allot: προσεκληρώθησαν τῷ Παύλῳ, were allotted by God to Paul, viz., as disciples, followers, Acts 17:4 (Winers Grammar, § 39, 2 at the end; others give it a middle force, joined their lot to, attached themselves to (A. V. consorted with); cf. leg. ad Gaium § 10 and other examples from Philo as below). (Plutarch, mor., p. 738 d.; Lucian, am. 3; frequent in Philo, cf. Loesner, Observations, p. 209ff.) STRONGS NT 4345a: προσκλίνωπροσκλίνω: 1 aorist passive 3 person singular προσεκλίθη; 1. transitive, (to cause) to lean against (cf. πρός, IV, 4) (Homer, Pindar). 2. intransitive, τίνι, to incline toward one, lean to his side or party: Polybius 4, 51, 5, etc.; 1 aorist passive προσεκλιθην with a middle significance to join oneself to one: Acts 5:36 L T Tr WH ((cf. Winer's Grammar, § 52, 4, 14)); 2 Macc. 14:24; τοῖς δικαίοις προσεκλίθη, Schol. ad Aristophanes, Plutarch, 1027; προσεκλιθητε τοῖς ἀποστόλοις, Clement of Rome, 1 Cor. 47, 4 [ET] and in other later writings. Strong’s Greek 4345 denotes the decisive act of attaching oneself to another, especially in the sense of becoming an allotment or being assigned alongside. In Scripture it marks a deliberate, covenant-like alignment that moves beyond casual association to committed partnership in faith and mission. Biblical Occurrence Acts 17:4 is the sole New Testament usage: “Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few leading women” (Berean Standard Bible). Here the verb is rendered “joined,” capturing both persuasion of mind and adhesion of heart. Context in Acts 17:4 1. Thessalonica’s synagogue setting: Paul “reasoned with them from the Scriptures” over three Sabbaths (Acts 17:2), expounding the Messiah’s suffering and resurrection. Theological Significance • Covenant solidarity: The term echoes Old Testament allotment language (Joshua 14:1–2), where land was assigned by divine lot. By employing this word, Luke hints that new believers are now God’s heritage, sharing a spiritual inheritance with Christ (Ephesians 1:11). Historical Background Thessalonica was a free city with a sizable Jewish colony and influential Gentile population. Aligning with itinerant missionaries threatened relationships with both synagogue leaders and city officials. The word choice underscores the costliness and courage of first-century discipleship. Ministry Applications 1. Church membership: The term supports a biblical pattern of believers formally identifying with a local body (Acts 2:41–42). Related Biblical Themes • Fellowship (koinōnia) – Acts 2:42 Witness in Church History Early Thessalonian believers modeled steadfast allegiance, becoming “an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia” (1 Thessalonians 1:7). Subsequent generations of Christians—whether aligning with reformers, missionaries, or persecuted assemblies—have echoed this same Spirit-wrought attachment. Summary Strong’s Greek 4345 highlights more than momentary agreement; it signifies the Spirit-prompted resolve to bind oneself to Christ’s messengers and mission. The Thessalonian response sets a timeless pattern: Scripture persuades, the heart is moved, and believers commit themselves to the fellowship and labor of the gospel, becoming an allotted people for the Lord’s glory. |
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