Brief Overview of πρόγνωσις (Strong’s G4268: prognōsis)

Strong’s G4268: A feminine noun meaning “foreknowledge,” derived from προγινώσκω (to know beforehand). In New Testament usage, it specifically refers to God’s foreknowledge, particularly in relation to His sovereign plan of redemption through Christ and His choice of His people.

U- Unveiling the Word

πρόγνωσις represents divine foreknowledge in its highest form. In its first appearance in Acts 2:23, it describes God’s foreknowledge in Christ’s crucifixion, while in 1 Peter 1:2, it relates to election. Early church writers developed this concept extensively in discussions of divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Today, this word continues to inform our understanding of God’s eternal purpose in salvation.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: πρόγνωσις, prognōsis, PROG-no-sis
• Detailed Pronunciation: PROG (as in ‘program’) + no (as in ‘know’) + sis (as in ‘thesis’)
• Part of Speech: Feminine Noun

Etymology:

• Prefix: πρό- (pro-) meaning “before”
• Root: γνῶσις (gnōsis) meaning “knowledge”
• The combination creates “knowledge beforehand”

D – Defining Meanings

• Foreknowledge
• Prior knowledge
• Advance understanding
• Prescience

For compound words:
πρό- adds temporal priority to γνῶσις’s meaning of knowledge, creating the concept of advance knowledge or understanding.

Translation Options:

1. Foreknowledge – Best captures divine aspect
2. Prior knowledge – More general usage
3. Prescience – More formal equivalent

E – Exploring Similar Words

• προγινώσκω (proginōskō) [pro-gi-NO-sko] – the verb form
• πρόνοια (pronoia) [PRO-noy-ah] – forethought, providence
• See G4268

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a feminine noun:

• Case: Various forms
• Nominative: πρόγνωσις
• Genitive: προγνώσεως
• Dative: προγνώσει
• Accusative: πρόγνωσιν
• Number: Singular (in NT usage)
• Gender: Feminine
• Declension: Third declension

Cross-references:

• Related verb: προγινώσκω

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its exclusively divine usage in NT. Thayer’s notes its connection to God’s redemptive plan. LSJ documents broader usage in classical Greek. Vine’s highlights its theological significance. Moulton and Milligan show its technical usage in legal contexts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and [πρόγνωσις] foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.” Acts 2:23

Additional References:
1 Peter 1:2

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

πρόγνωσις proclaims that our salvation rests in God’s eternal knowing and choosing. It declares the good news that King Jesus’s death was no accident but part of God’s perfect plan from eternity. This word assures us that our salvation is secure because it originates in God’s eternal foreknowledge and purpose.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word forms the basis for our modern term “prognosis.”
2. Early church councils frequently debated its relationship to free will.
3. It played a key role in Reformation discussions of predestination.

Strong’s G4268: A feminine noun meaning “foreknowledge,” derived from προγινώσκω (to know beforehand). In New Testament usage, it specifically refers to God’s foreknowledge, particularly in relation to His sovereign plan of redemption through Christ and His choice of His people.

Part of speech: Feminine Noun

Tags: foreknowledge, divine knowledge, sovereignty, predestination, salvation, election, God’s plan, providence, eternal purpose, Acts, biblical keywords​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​