Brief Overview of προσποιέω (Strong’s G4364: prospoieō)

Strong’s G4364: A compound verb combining πρός (toward) with ποιέω (to make, do), meaning to act as if, pretend, or make as though. Used in contexts where an action is portrayed or represented, often with pedagogical or revelatory purpose rather than deceptive intent.

U- Unveiling the Word

Προσποιέω embodies the concept of acting or making as though something is the case. As a compound word, it joins πρός (toward) with ποιέω (to make/do), creating a term for deliberate representation or portrayal. In its New Testament context, particularly in Luke 24:28, it describes Jesus’ actions when He “made as though” He would go further – not as deception but as a pedagogical device to draw out His disciples’ response. The early church understood this term as reflecting divine pedagogy, where actions are portrayed to reveal truth or elicit faith. Today, it reminds us that God often teaches through actions that invite our response and engagement.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: προσποιέω, prospoieō, /pros-poi-E-ō/
• Detailed pronunciation: pros (as in ‘prose’) + poi (as in ‘poi’) + e (as in ‘egg’) + ō (as in ‘oh’)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• πρός (pros-) – prefix meaning “toward, at”
• ποιέω (poieō) – root verb meaning “to make, do”
  The combination creates the sense of making toward or representing an action.

D – Defining Meanings

• To make as though
• To act as if
• To represent oneself as doing something

For compound words:
The prefix πρός adds directional intent to the base verb ποιέω, creating the concept of making or doing something in a particular way or for a specific purpose.

Translation Options:

1. “To make as though” – Best captures the intentional portrayal
2. “To act as if” – Emphasizes the representative nature
3. “To pretend” – Though common, may imply deception not present in original

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ὑποκρίνομαι (hypokrinomai, /hy-po-KRI-no-mai/) – To pretend, act hypocritically
  See G5271
• σχηματίζω (schēmatizō, /skhe-ma-TI-zō/) – To fashion oneself
  See G4976
• δοκέω (dokeō, /do-KE-ō/) – To seem, appear
  See G1380

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a verb, προσποιέω exhibits these morphological features:

• Tense: Present, Imperfect, Aorist
• Voice: Middle
• Mood: Indicative, Participle
• Person: First, Second, Third
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Aspect: Imperfective (Present), Perfective (Aorist)

Example morphological variations:

• Present: προσποιέομαι (I make as though)
• Imperfect: προσεποιούμην (I was making as though)
• Aorist: προσεποιησάμην (I made as though)

Related words in other parts of speech:

• προσποίησις (prospoiēsis) – noun form meaning “a making as though”

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its use in contexts of representation rather than deception. Thayer’s notes its middle voice usage and pedagogical applications. LSJ provides examples from classical literature showing varied contexts. Vine’s highlights its unique usage in Luke’s Gospel. Strong’s emphasizes the compound nature and intentional aspect. Moulton and Milligan cite examples showing its neutral rather than negative connotations.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First Appearance:
“So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He [προσποιέω] made as though he would go further.” Luke 24:28

Additional References:
This word appears only once in the New Testament.

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Προσποιέω reveals how God sometimes uses actions that invite our response and engagement. As seen in Jesus’ interaction with the disciples on the road to Emmaus, this “making as though” serves to deepen faith and understanding. The good news of King Jesus often comes through divine pedagogy that invites our active participation and response.

D – Did You Know?

1. This word was commonly used in ancient Greek educational contexts to describe teaching methods.
2. Its only New Testament use occurs in the famous Emmaus Road narrative.
3. Early Christian teachers used this concept to explain how God accommodates human understanding.

Strong’s G4364: A compound verb combining πρός (toward) with ποιέω (to make, do), meaning to act as if, pretend, or make as though. Used in contexts where an action is portrayed or represented, often with pedagogical or revelatory purpose rather than deceptive intent.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: representation, portrayal, divine pedagogy, teaching method, action, intention, revelation, engagement, response, discipleship​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​