The term "foreknew" is derived from the Greek word "proginōskō," which means to know beforehand or to have prior knowledge. In the context of the Bible, it is often associated with God's omniscience and His sovereign plan for humanity. The concept of foreknowledge is intricately linked with predestination, election, and God's eternal purposes.

Biblical References:

1. Romans 8:29 : "For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers." This verse highlights the intimate connection between God's foreknowledge and His predestining work. It suggests that God's foreknowledge is not merely awareness of future events but involves a relational knowledge that leads to a predetermined purpose.

2. Romans 11:2 : "God did not reject His people, whom He foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says about Elijah, how he appealed to God against Israel?" Here, Paul reassures the readers of God's enduring commitment to Israel, emphasizing that His foreknowledge includes a covenantal relationship with His chosen people.

3. 1 Peter 1:1-2 : "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the elect, exiles of the Dispersion throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by His blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance." This passage underscores the role of God's foreknowledge in the election of believers, indicating that their calling and sanctification are rooted in His eternal knowledge and purpose.

Theological Implications:

The concept of foreknowledge is central to understanding God's sovereignty and the doctrine of election. It affirms that God, in His infinite wisdom, knows all things from eternity past to eternity future. This foreknowledge is not passive but active, involving God's intentional and purposeful plan for creation and redemption.

From a theological perspective, foreknowledge is often discussed in relation to predestination. Some interpretations suggest that God's foreknowledge is based on His foresight of human decisions, while others assert that it is part of His sovereign decree, independent of human actions. The latter view emphasizes God's ultimate authority and the assurance that His purposes will be accomplished.

Foreknowledge and Human Responsibility:

While God's foreknowledge is comprehensive, it does not negate human responsibility. Scripture consistently affirms that individuals are accountable for their choices and actions. The mystery of how divine foreknowledge and human free will coexist is a topic of considerable theological discussion. However, the Bible presents both as true, encouraging believers to trust in God's perfect wisdom and to live in obedience to His revealed will.

Practical Application:

Understanding God's foreknowledge provides believers with comfort and assurance. It reminds them that their lives are part of a divine plan orchestrated by a loving and all-knowing God. This knowledge encourages trust in God's promises and faithfulness, even amidst uncertainty and trials. Believers are called to respond to God's foreknowledge with faith, obedience, and a commitment to live according to His purposes.(imp.) of Foreknow.4267. proginosko -- to know beforehand
... Word Origin from pro and ginosko Definition to know beforehand NASB Word Usage foreknew
(2), foreknown (1), knowing...beforehand (1), known (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4267.htm - 7k

That God Foreknew that the First Man Would Sin, and that He at the ...
... Chapter 22."That God Foreknew that the First Man Would Sin, and that He at the Same
Time Foresaw How Large a Multitude of Godly Persons Would by His Grace Be ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 22 that god foreknew that.htm

Celsus, However, Accepting or Granting that Jesus Foreknew what ...
... Chapter XIV. Celsus, however, accepting or granting that Jesus foreknew what
would befall Him? Celsus, however, accepting or granting ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xiv celsus however accepting.htm

Predestination is Sometimes Signified under the Name of ...
... the same predestination is signified also under the name of foreknowledge; as says
the apostle, "God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew." [3676] Here ...
/.../anti-pelagian writings/chapter 47 predestination is sometimes signified.htm

Whether Our Wills are Ruled by Necessity.
... It is not the case, therefore, that because God foreknew what would be in the power
of our wills, there is for that reason nothing in the power of our wills. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 10 whether our wills are.htm

John Chapter xv. 11, 12
... us: and as little could there be any fear intermingling in that joy of His, lest
there should be any possible failure in what He foreknew would be done by ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate lxxxiii john chapter xv.htm

It May be Objected that the People of Tyre and Sidon Might, if ...
... A certain catholic disputant of no mean reputation so expounded this passage of
the gospel as to say, that the Lord foreknew that the Tyrians and Sidonians ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 24 x it may be.htm

God Chose the Righteous; not those whom He Foresaw as Being of ...
... "Therefore," says the Pelagian, "He foreknew who would be holy and immaculate by
the choice of free will, and on that account elected them before the ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 36 god chose the righteous.htm

Why for the People of Tyre and Sidon, who Would have Believed, the ...
... when it was asked why Christ came after so long a time: "that at those times and
in those places in which His gospel was not preached, He foreknew that all men ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 23 why for the people.htm

Concerning the Foreknowledge of God and the Free Will of Man, in ...
... Neither let us be afraid lest, after all, we do not do by will that which we do
by will, because He, whose foreknowledge is infallible, foreknew that we would ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 9 concerning the foreknowledge of.htm

On Predestination
... God. God foreknew those in every nation those who would believe, from the
beginning of the world to the consummation of all things. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 58 on predestination.htm

Foreknew (2 Occurrences)
... (imp.) of Foreknow. Multi-Version Concordance Foreknew (2 Occurrences). ... (WEB ASV
NAS RSV NIV). Romans 11:2 God didn't reject his people, which he foreknew. ...
/f/foreknew.htm - 7k

Foreknow (1 Occurrence)
... objects of salvation. Those whom God foreknew, He also did predestinate to
be conformed to the image of His son. Now the foreknowledge ...
/f/foreknow.htm - 36k

Foreknowledge (2 Occurrences)
... objects of salvation. Those whom God foreknew, He also did predestinate to
be conformed to the image of His son. Now the foreknowledge ...
/f/foreknowledge.htm - 37k

Wot (10 Occurrences)
... of him. (KJV). Romans 11:2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew.
Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how ...
/w/wot.htm - 13k

Foreordained (8 Occurrences)
... Romans 8:29 For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained 'to be' conformed to the
image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren: (ASV). ...
/f/foreordained.htm - 8k

Forejudging (1 Occurrence)

/f/forejudging.htm - 6k

Rejected (96 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV). Romans 11:2 God didn't reject his people, which he foreknew.
Or don't you know what the Scripture says about Elijah? ...
/r/rejected.htm - 36k

Reject (56 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS RSV NIV). Romans 11:2 God didn't reject his people, which he foreknew.
Or don't you know what the Scripture says about Elijah? ...
/r/reject.htm - 21k

Maketh (399 Occurrences)
... us. (KJV ASV WBS). Romans 11:2 God hath not cast away his people which
he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? ...
/m/maketh.htm - 34k

Predestined (6 Occurrences)
... Romans 8:29 For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image
of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. ...
/p/predestined.htm - 8k

How are predestination and election connected with foreknowledge? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean for something to be foreordained? | GotQuestions.org

What is foreknowledge in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Foreknew: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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