Foreknown
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The term "foreknown" in the Bible refers to the divine attribute of God's omniscience, particularly His knowledge of future events and individuals before they come into existence or before they occur. This concept is closely associated with God's sovereignty and His eternal plan of salvation. The idea of being "foreknown" is primarily discussed in the context of God's relationship with His people and His redemptive 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 and purposeful knowledge God has of His people. It suggests that God's foreknowledge is not merely awareness of future events but involves a relational aspect, where He sets His love and purpose on individuals.

2. 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." Here, foreknowledge is linked with election, indicating that God's choice of His people is rooted in His foreknowledge, which is part of His divine plan.

3. Acts 2:23 : "He was handed over by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross." This passage refers to Jesus Christ's crucifixion, emphasizing that it was not a random event but part of God's predetermined plan, known and ordained by Him beforehand.

Theological Implications:

The concept of being "foreknown" is significant in discussions of predestination and election. It underscores the belief that God's knowledge and plans are not reactive but proactive, meaning that God does not simply foresee events but actively ordains them according to His will. This understanding affirms God's ultimate authority and control over history and individual destinies.

In the context of salvation, being foreknown by God is a source of comfort and assurance for believers. It implies that their relationship with God is not based on their own merits or actions but on God's eternal purpose and love. This perspective encourages believers to trust in God's sovereign plan and to find security in His unchanging nature.

Related Concepts:

· Predestination: The doctrine that God has eternally chosen those whom He will save, based on His foreknowledge and purpose.
· Election: The belief that God has selected certain individuals for salvation, a choice rooted in His foreknowledge and grace.
· Omniscience: The attribute of God that denotes His complete and perfect knowledge of all things, past, present, and future.

Historical Context:

Throughout church history, the concept of foreknowledge has been a topic of theological debate, particularly in discussions between different Christian traditions regarding the nature of God's sovereignty and human free will. The Reformed tradition, for example, emphasizes God's sovereign election and foreknowledge as central to understanding salvation, while other traditions may interpret these concepts with a greater emphasis on human responsibility and response.

In summary, the biblical concept of being "foreknown" by God is deeply intertwined with His sovereign will and redemptive plan, offering believers a profound sense of security and purpose in their relationship with Him.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(p. p.) of Foreknow.
Greek
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
Library

Infants are not Judged According to that which they are Foreknown ...
... A Treatise on the gift of perseverance, Chapter 31."Infants are Not Judged According
to that Which They are Foreknown as Likely to Do If They Should Live. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 31 infants are not judged.htm

In How Many Ways Things Future are Foreknown. Neither Philosophers ...
... Book IV. Chapter 17."In How Many Ways Things Future are Foreknown. Neither
Philosophers, Nor Those Who Were Distinguished Among ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 17 in how many ways.htm

Against the Preaching of Predestination the Same Objections May be ...
... to the people concerning it, and say: "Whether you are now living righteously or
unrighteously, you shall be such by and by as the Lord has foreknown that you ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 38 xv against the preaching.htm

Whether Divination is a Sin?
... I answer that, Divination denotes a foretelling of the future. The future may be
foreknown in two ways: first in its causes, secondly in itself. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether divination is a sin.htm

Concerning the Foreknowledge of God and the Free Will of Man, in ...
... Doubtless it was this,"that if all future things have been foreknown, they will
happen in the order in which they have been foreknown; and if they come to ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 9 concerning the foreknowledge of.htm

Predestination is Sometimes Signified under the Name of ...
... a concurrent testimony of reasons and authorities,"these gifts of God, I say, if
there is no such predestination as I am maintaining, are not foreknown by God ...
/.../anti-pelagian writings/chapter 47 predestination is sometimes signified.htm

Whether Divination by the Stars is Unlawful?
... Wherefore we must consider what things can be foreknown by observing the stars:
and it is evident that those things which happen of necessity can be foreknown ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether divination by the stars.htm

Whether God Can do what He Does Not?
... Objection 1: It seems that God cannot do other than what He does. For God cannot
do what He has not foreknown and pre-ordained that He would do. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether god can do what.htm

The Theology of Grace.
... therefore, sovereign, and bestowed only on those whom God selects for its reception;
we must, of course, believe that the eternal God has foreknown all this ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/iv the theology of grace.htm

Proofs from the Apostolic Writings, that Jesus Christ was one and ...
... For all these things were foreknown by the Father; but the Son works them
out at the proper time in perfect order and sequence. ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xvi proofs from the apostolic.htm

Thesaurus
Foreknown (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (pp) of Foreknow. Multi-Version Concordance
Foreknown (3 Occurrences). Romans 8:29 Because whom he has ...
/f/foreknown.htm - 7k

Foreknowledge (2 Occurrences)
... Jesus asserts a foreknowledge by God of that which is hidden from the Son (Mark
13:32), and James asserts that all God's works are foreknown by Him (Acts 15:18 ...
/f/foreknowledge.htm - 37k

Foreknow (1 Occurrence)
... Jesus asserts a foreknowledge by God of that which is hidden from the Son (Mark
13:32), and James asserts that all God's works are foreknown by Him (Acts 15:18 ...
/f/foreknow.htm - 36k

Foreman (2 Occurrences)

/f/foreman.htm - 7k

Predestinated (4 Occurrences)
... Romans 8:29 Because whom he has foreknown, he has also predestinated to be conformed
to the image of his Son, so that he should be the firstborn among many ...
/p/predestinated.htm - 7k

Sakes (35 Occurrences)
... (WEY DBY). 1 Peter 1:20 foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but
who has been manifested at the end of times for your sakes, (DBY). ...
/s/sakes.htm - 17k

Foundation (82 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 1:20 who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was
revealed at the end of times for your sake, (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). ...
/f/foundation.htm - 36k

Appeared (137 Occurrences)
... (WBS). 1 Peter 1:20 who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world,
but was revealed at the end of times for your sake, (See NAS). ...
/a/appeared.htm - 35k

Revealed (129 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 1:20 who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but
was revealed at the end of times for your sake, (WEB NIV). ...
/r/revealed.htm - 36k

Resources
What is reprobation? What does it mean to be reprobate? | GotQuestions.org

Is God sovereign over death? | GotQuestions.org

If God knew that Adam and Eve would sin, why did He create them? | GotQuestions.org

Foreknown: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Foreknown (3 Occurrences)

Romans 8:29
Because whom he has foreknown, he has also predestinated to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he should be the firstborn among many brethren.
(DBY)

1 Peter 1:20
who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of times for your sake,
(WEB ASV DBY YLT NAS)

Ecclesiastes 6:10
Whatsoever hath been, the name thereof was given long ago; and it is know what man is; neither can he contend with him that is mightier than he.
(See JPS)

Subtopics

Foreknown

Related Terms

Foremen (9 Occurrences)

Gang (1 Occurrence)

Foreknown (3 Occurrences)

Captain (167 Occurrences)

Foreknowledge and Sovereignty of Jesus
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