4373. prosphatós
Lexical Summary
prosphatós: Fresh, new, recent

Original Word: προσφάτος
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: prosphatós
Pronunciation: pros-fah-tos
Phonetic Spelling: (pros-fat'-oce)
KJV: lately
NASB: recently
Word Origin: [adverb from G4372 (πρόσφατος - new)]

1. recently

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
lately.

Adverb from prosphatos; recently -- lately.

see GREEK prosphatos

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
adverb from prosphatos
Definition
recently
NASB Translation
recently (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 4373: προσφάτως

προσφάτως, 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
Overview

Strong’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.
• Vocation and Mission: Their trade becomes a bridge for Gospel witness, encouraging modern tentmakers who serve Christ through secular employment.
• Resilience: Forced relocation does not hinder their devotion, reminding believers that external upheaval cannot thwart God’s plan (Romans 8:28).

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.
• Timing of Outreach: Attentiveness to those who have “just come” to a community provides unique evangelistic openings while hearts are pliable.
• Discipleship: Like Priscilla and Aquila mentoring Apollos, mature believers can invest in newcomers who will extend the Gospel beyond their initial context.

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 prosphátōs
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Englishman's Concordance
Acts 18:2 Adv
GRK: τῷ γένει προσφάτως ἐληλυθότα ἀπὸ
NAS: of Pontus, having recently come
KJV: born in Pontus, lately come from
INT: by race lately come from

Strong's Greek 4373
1 Occurrence


προσφάτως — 1 Occ.

4372
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