Lexical Summary prosphatós: Fresh, new, recent Original Word: προσφάτος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance lately. Adverb from prosphatos; recently -- lately. see GREEK prosphatos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originadverb from prosphatos Definition recently NASB Translation recently (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4373: προσφάτωςπροσφάτως, adverb (see the preceding word), lately: Acts 18:2. (Deuteronomy 24:7 (5); Ezekiel 11:3; Judith 4:3, 5; 2 Macc. 14:36; Polybius, Alciphron, others.) Topical Lexicon OverviewStrong’s Greek 4373 portrays the idea of something happening “only a short time ago.” In the New Testament the term occurs once, serving as a time-marker that frames a pivotal moment in the missionary advance of the Gospel. Scriptural Occurrence and Context (Acts 18:2) “Paul found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to visit them” (Acts 18:2). Luke’s use of the word highlights the immediacy of Aquila and Priscilla’s arrival in Corinth. Their “recent” displacement becomes the backdrop for a providential meeting that will shape early church history. Historical Setting: The Claudian Expulsion In approximately A.D. 49, Emperor Claudius expelled the Jews from Rome, a decree confirmed by the historian Suetonius. This edict forced Jewish believers such as Aquila and Priscilla to relocate. Their fresh arrival (“recently”) underscores the upheaval created by imperial policy and situates Paul’s Corinthian ministry within real-world events that historians can verify. Missional Significance 1. Strategic Partnerships Paul’s trade of tentmaking enables him to work alongside Aquila and Priscilla, integrating daily labor with evangelism. Their partnership leads to further service in Ephesus (Acts 18:18-26) and even influences Apollos, demonstrating how a “recent” move catalyzed broader ministry. 2. Church Planting Momentum The couple’s displacement distributes Gospel witnesses along new routes, illustrating how God transforms political disruption into missionary opportunity (compare Philippians 1:12-14). Theology of Divine Providence Scripture repeatedly shows God orchestrating the timing of events. The adverb in Acts 18:2 stresses that the couple had “just now” arrived, indicating divine synchronization. Similar providential timing appears in Esther 4:14 (“for such a time as this”) and Galatians 4:4 (“when the fullness of time had come”). Pastoral Insights • Hospitality: Aquila and Priscilla open their home (Romans 16:3-5), modeling how believers newly settled in a city can host a church. Related Themes of Newness Although Strong’s 4373 is distinct from terms translated “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17) or “new covenant” (Hebrews 8:13), the concept of recentness resonates with God’s pattern of fresh beginnings after adversity. Exile often precedes renewal (Jeremiah 29:11-14), and scattering can precede harvest (Acts 8:4). Implications for Modern Ministry • Global Migration: Current movements of people mirror the first-century diaspora. Churches that welcome “recent arrivals” may discover strategic co-laborers. Summary The lone appearance of Strong’s Greek 4373 in Acts 18:2 spotlights the fresh arrival of Aquila and Priscilla in Corinth. This small chronological note testifies to God’s meticulous orchestration of historical events, turning forced migration into a kingdom-advancing partnership with Paul. Believers today are encouraged to perceive recent changes—whether personal moves or societal shifts—as potential staging grounds for Gospel progress. Forms and Transliterations προσφατως προσφάτως prosphatos prosphatōs prosphátos prosphátōsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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