Lexical Summary protithémi: To set forth, to propose, to purpose, to plan Original Word: προτίθημι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance purpose, set forth. Middle voice from pro and tithemi; to place before, i.e. (for oneself) to exhibit; (to oneself) to propose (determine) -- purpose, set forth. see GREEK pro see GREEK tithemi HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 4388 protíthemai (from 4253 /pró, "towards" and 5087 /títhēmi, "to place, set") – properly, to place before, setting forth in advance to achieve a particular purpose. [4388 /protíthemai ("to purpose") is the root of 4286 /próthesis ("God's providence, eternal purpose), see NAS dictionary and Zodhiates Dictionary.] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom pro and tithémi Definition to set before, i.e. propose NASB Translation displayed publicly (1), planned (1), purposed (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4388: προτίθημιπροτίθημι: 2 aorist middle προεθέμην; (from Homer down); 1. to place before, to set forth (cf. πρό, d. ἆ.); specifically, to set forth to be looked at, expose to view: Exodus 40:4; 4 Macc. 8:11; Aelian v. h. 14, 8; and often in the middle in this sense: ποτήρια ἀργυρεα τέ καί χρυσεα, his own cups, Herodotus 3, 148; to expose to public view, in which sense it is the technical term with profane authors in speaking of the bodies of the dead (to let lie in state) (cf. Passow, under the word, I. 2; (Liddell and Scott, under the word, II. 1); Stallbaum on Plato, Phaedo, p. 115 e.; (Krüger on Thucydides 2, 34, 1)); the middle points to the owner of the thing exposed: so with τινα and a predicate accusative. Romans 3:25 (the middle seems to denote that it was his own Son whom he thus set forth; cf. 8:32). 2. Middle to set before oneself, propose to oneself; to purpose, determine (Plato, Polybius, others): followed by the infinitive Romans 1:13; with an accusative of the thing and ἐν αὐτῷ ((sic); see αὑτοῦ) added, in himself (Winer's Grammar, § 38, 6; (cf. p. 152 (144))), Ephesians 1:9; (others (reading ἐν αὐτῷ with L T Tr WH) render 'in him,' i. e. (probably) Christ). Strong’s Greek 4388 captures the idea of setting something before oneself or others with the intent of accomplishing it. In Scripture this “setting forth” can describe both human resolve and, supremely, the eternal purposes of God that are brought into history. Old Testament Background Although the verb itself does not appear in the Septuagint, the conceptual backdrop is rich. Yahweh “establishes” His counsel (Isaiah 14:24), “declares the end from the beginning” (Isaiah 46:10), and “sets” His king on Zion (Psalm 2:6). Divine resolve, once expressed, is unfailing. The New Testament writers draw on this Hebrew conviction when employing the verb. New Testament Usage 1. Romans 1:13 highlights Paul’s missionary intention: “I planned many times to come to you.” Here the word depicts deliberate human strategy submitted to God’s sovereign timing. Together these occurrences trace a line from apostolic planning, to the historical display of the cross, to the eternal decree behind salvation—showing seamless continuity between temporal events and God’s timeless purpose. Theological Significance of Divine Purpose • Certainty: What God “sets forth” is never tentative. Romans 3:25 reveals that Calvary was not a remedial measure but the outworking of a predetermined plan (Acts 2:23). Implications for Ministry and Christian Living • Strategic Planning under Sovereignty: Paul’s thwarted travel schedule (Romans 1:13) models responsible planning that yields to providence (James 4:15). Historical Interpretation in the Church Church Fathers such as Athanasius cited Romans 3:25 to argue for the necessity and publicity of the atonement, while Reformers like Calvin highlighted Ephesians 1:9 to defend the doctrines of election and perseverance. Throughout church history, the term has safeguarded confidence in God’s immutable counsel. Related Concepts and Complementary Texts • πρόθεσις (4286) – the noun form, “purpose” (Romans 8:28). Summary Strong’s Greek 4388 emphatically links God’s eternal resolve with historical fulfillment and personal mission. Whether expressing Paul’s travel plans, the public exhibition of the cross, or the Father’s hidden counsel now unveiled, the verb testifies that every facet of redemptive history is intentionally “set forth” by the God who cannot fail. Englishman's Concordance Romans 1:13 V-AIM-1SGRK: ὅτι πολλάκις προεθέμην ἐλθεῖν πρὸς NAS: that often I have planned to come KJV: oftentimes I purposed to come INT: that many times I purposed to come to Romans 3:25 V-AIM-3S Ephesians 1:9 V-AIM-3S Strong's Greek 4388 |
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