Lexical Summary prographó: To write before, to publicly portray, to announce beforehand Original Word: προγράφω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance write afore, aforetime. From pro and grapho; to write previously; figuratively, to announce, prescribe -- before ordain, evidently set forth, write (afore, aforetime). see GREEK pro see GREEK grapho NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom pro and graphó Definition to write before NASB Translation beforehand marked (1), earlier times (1), publicly portrayed (1), written in earlier times (1), wrote before (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4270: προγράφωπρογράφω: 1 aorist προέγραψα; 2 aorist passive προεγραφην; perfect passive participle προγεγραμμενος; 1. to write before (of time): Romans 15:4a R G L text T Tr WH, 4b Rec.; Ephesians 3:3; οἱ πάλαι προγεγραμμένοι εἰς τοῦτο τό κρίμα, of old set forth or designated beforehand (in the Scriptures of the O. T. and the prophecies of Enoch) unto this condemnation, Jude 1:4. 2. to depict or portray openly (cf. πρό, d. α: οἷς κατ' ὀφθαλμούς Ἰησοῦς Χριστός προεγράφη ἐν ὑμῖν (but ἐν ὑμῖν is dropped by G L T Tr WH) ἐσταυρωμένος, before whose eyes was portrayed the picture of Jesus Christ crucified (the attentive contemplation of which picture ought to have been a preventive against that bewitchment), i. e. who were taught most definitely and plainly concerning the meritorious efficacy of the death of Christ, Galatians 3:1. Since the simple γράφειν is often used of painters, and προγράφειν certainly signifies also to write before the eyes of all who can read (Plutarch, Demetr. 46 at the end, προγραφει τίς αὐτοῦ πρό τῆς σκηνῆς τήν τοῦ Ὀιδιποδος ἀρχήν), I see no reason why προγράφειν may not mean to depict (paint, portray) before the eyes; (R. V. openly set forth). Cf. Hofmann at the passage (Farrar, St. Paul, chapter xxiv., vol. i, 470 note; others adhere to the meaning to placard, write up publicly, see Lightfoot at the passage; others besides; see Meyer). The verb behind Strong’s 4270 carries the idea of something put into writing ahead of time, whether in the remote past (Scripture), the recent past (a previous letter), or vividly set before the eyes (a graphic presentation). In every New Testament instance the word underscores God’s providential ordering of events or truths so that His people encounter them at the right moment. Romans 15:4 – Scripture Written for Enduring Hope “Everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction…” Paul looks back to the entire Hebrew canon and declares it “pre-written” for the church’s benefit. The term magnifies the Holy Spirit’s foresight: centuries before the Messiah came, the events, laws, songs, and prophecies were already inscribed with the present generation in view. The result is endurance and encouragement that issue in hope. Passing trials in Rome could never nullify a hope that had been scripted long beforehand by God Himself. Galatians 3:1 – Christ Publicly Portrayed “Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.” Here the verb pictures a placard posted in a public square—graphic, unmistakable. Paul’s preaching had so vividly set forth the crucified Christ that the Galatians could almost see the cross. The perfect tense (προεγράφη) stresses a completed public depiction that still stands. When legalism threatened the sufficiency of the atonement, Paul reminded them that the gospel had already been written large before them; no subsequent influence could erase that divine billboard. Ephesians 3:3 – A Prior Brief Note “…the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.” Paul refers back to an earlier section of the same letter (most likely 1:9–10, 1:22–23). The verb assures readers that the mystery of Jew-Gentile unity is not an afterthought; it has been laid out in writing just moments before. The apostle models pastoral clarity: truth once delivered should be set down, then revisited for deeper understanding. Jude 1:4 – Ungodly Men Marked Out Long Ago “Certain men have crept in… men who long ago were designated for condemnation.” False teachers may slip in unnoticed by churches, but they have never slipped past God. Their judgment was pre-inscribed in the prophetic writings (compare Deuteronomy 13, Ezekiel 34, and the intertestamental warnings echoed by Jude). The word underscores divine justice: condemnation is not reactionary but part of a sovereign plan that guarantees the triumph of truth. Jewish and Greco-Roman Background • Jewish scribes treasured the permanence of written revelation; “what is written is written” (John 19:22) reflects that mindset. Theological Threads 1. Divine Foreknowledge and Inspiration: Whether Scripture, gospel proclamation, or prophetic warning, the content was fixed by God before believers encountered it. Pastoral and Ministry Implications • Preach and teach with confidence that the Word already addresses present needs; ministers do not invent truth but unfold what is written. Summary Strong’s 4270 illuminates the Bible’s forward-looking character. Whether pointing back to the Law and Prophets, depicting the cross in living color, reminding saints of revealed mysteries, or marking out the fate of impostors, the term celebrates a God who writes first and fulfills later. What He has pre-written stands immovable, anchoring faith and guiding the church until Christ returns. Englishman's Concordance Romans 15:4 V-AIP-3SGRK: ὅσα γὰρ προεγράφη πάντα εἰς NAS: For whatever was written in earlier times was written KJV: whatsoever things were written aforetime were written INT: Whatever indeed was written before all for Galatians 3:1 V-AIP-3S Ephesians 3:3 V-AIA-1S Jude 1:4 V-RPM/P-NMP Strong's Greek 4270 |
    |