Brief Overview of πρόσκαιρος (Strong’s G4340: proskairos)

Strong’s G4340: A compound adjective combining pros (toward) with kairos (time, season), meaning “temporary, for a season, lasting only for a time.” Used to describe fleeting faith, temporary pleasures, and earthly circumstances in contrast to eternal realities.

U- Unveiling the Word

Πρόσκαιρος represents that which is temporary or lasting only for a season. In the New Testament, it appears in significant contexts contrasting temporal and eternal realities, particularly in Jesus’ parable of the sower and Paul’s discussions of earthly versus heavenly perspectives. The compound structure emphasizes both the limited duration and the seasonal nature of temporal things. Early church fathers frequently used this term to encourage believers to focus on eternal rather than temporary matters. Today, it continues to challenge believers to evaluate their priorities between temporal and eternal values.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: πρόσκαιρος, proskairos, pros-KAI-ros
• Pronunciation: Emphasis on ‘KAI’, with ‘pros’ quickly spoken, ‘ros’ unstressed
• Part of Speech: Adjective

Etymology:

• πρός (pros) – prefix meaning “toward”
• καιρός (kairos) – noun meaning “time, season”
• -ος (-os) – adjectival suffix
  The combination indicates something oriented toward a specific time or season.

D – Defining Meanings

• Temporary
• For a season
• Lasting only for a time

For compound words:
The prefix πρός with καιρός creates the concept of being oriented toward or limited to a particular time period. The combination emphasizes temporal limitation.

Translation Options:

• “temporary” – emphasizes the limited duration
• “for a season” – captures the time-bound nature
• “transient” – reflects the passing nature

E – Exploring Similar Words

• αἰώνιος (aiōnios, ai-OH-nee-os) – eternal, opposite of proskairos
  See G166
• ἐπίγειος (epigeios, ep-IG-i-os) – earthly, temporal
  See G1919
• πρόσκαιρος (proskairos, pros-KAI-ros) – temporary
  See G4340

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As an adjective, πρόσκαιρος shows these features:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Masculine, Feminine, Neuter
• Declension: Second

Examples of usage:

• Masculine: πρόσκαιρος
• Feminine: πρόσκαιρος
• Neuter: πρόσκαιρον

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its contrast with eternal things. Thayer’s notes its use in describing temporary faith. LSJ provides evidence of its use in contexts of temporal limitation. Vine’s connects it to seasonal changes. Strong’s highlights the time-bound nature. LEH notes its use in contexts of impermanence. Moulton and Milligan cite papyri evidence of its use in temporal contracts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
Yet he has no root in himself, but [πρόσκαιρός] endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. Matthew 13:21

Additional References:
Mark 4:17
2 Corinthians 4:18
Hebrews 11:25

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Πρόσκαιρος powerfully reminds us to set our hearts on eternal things rather than temporary pleasures. The good news is that while earthly life is temporary, Christ offers eternal life and lasting joy. This word challenges us to live with eternal perspective, investing in what will last forever.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word appears in crucial New Testament passages contrasting temporal and eternal perspectives
2. It was commonly used in ancient business contracts to describe temporary arrangements
3. Early Christian martyrs used this term to describe their earthly sufferings in contrast to eternal glory

Strong’s G4340: A compound adjective combining pros (toward) with kairos (time, season), meaning “temporary, for a season, lasting only for a time.” Used to describe fleeting faith, temporary pleasures, and earthly circumstances in contrast to eternal realities.

Part of speech: Adjective

Tags: temporary, temporal, seasonal, eternal-perspective, earthly-life, fleeting, time-bound, compound-adjective, Jesus-parables, Paul’s-teaching, eternal-values, temporal-pleasures, Christian-perspective, worldview, priorities​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​