middle voice from πρό and ἐπαγγέλλω; to promise of old:--promise before.
Transliteration:proepangéllomai
Pronunciation:pro-ep-ang-ghel'-lom-ahee
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb προεπαγγέλλομαι (proepangéllomai, `{{G4279}}`) is a compound word formed from the preposition πρό (pro), meaning "before" or "in advance," and the verb ἐπαγγέλλω (epangellō, `{{G1861}}`), meaning "to proclaim, announce, promise, or pledge." The middle voice implies that the subject is the one making the promise, often for their own benefit or on their own behalf. Therefore, the core meaning of προεπαγγέλλομαι is "to promise beforehand," "to promise in advance," or "to promise of old." The prefix πρό adds a crucial temporal dimension, distinguishing it from a general promise by emphasizing that the commitment was made at an earlier point in time. This implies forethought, pre-arrangement, and a settled intention prior to the fulfillment or the immediate context.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term προεπαγγέλλομαι appears only twice in the New Testament, each instance offering a distinct yet complementary insight into its usage:
1. **Romans 1:2**: "the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures."
Here, the subject of the verb is God Himself ("he promised beforehand"). The object of the promise is "the gospel," which concerns His Son. The means by which this promise was made are "through his prophets" and the location of these promises is "in the holy scriptures" (i.e., the Old Testament). This passage powerfully asserts the continuity of God's redemptive plan. The gospel is not a sudden, unforeseen development but the culmination and fulfillment of promises made centuries earlier. It underscores God's sovereignty, His meticulous planning, and His faithfulness to His ancient word. The use of προεπαγγέλλομαι highlights the divine initiative and the long-established foundation for the coming of Christ and the proclamation of the good news.
2. **2 Corinthians 9:5**: "So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for your promised gift, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction."
In this context, the verb is used in relation to a human promise. Paul is referring to the Corinthians' earlier commitment to contribute to the collection for the saints in Jerusalem. The "promised gift" (χάριν) is what they had προεπαγγέλλομαι – promised beforehand. Here, the emphasis is on the preparedness and intentionality of the gift. Paul desires that their generosity be a result of their prior, willing commitment, not a last-minute, grudging obligation. This usage extends the concept of "promising beforehand" to human actions, emphasizing the integrity and reliability of commitments made in advance, particularly in matters of Christian giving and service.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **ἐπαγγέλλω (epangellō, `{{G1861}}`)**: The root verb meaning "to promise." προεπαγγέλλομαι specifies *when* the promise was made (beforehand), adding a crucial temporal dimension to the general act of promising.
* **ἐπαγγελία (epangelia, `{{G1860}}`)**: The noun form, meaning "promise." This refers to the content or the result of what has been promised, often used in the New Testament to refer to God's divine promises.
* **πρόθεσις (prothesis, `{{G4307}}`)**: Meaning "purpose," "plan," or "setting forth." In the context of God's προεπαγγέλλομαι in Romans 1:2, there is a clear link to God's eternal purpose and pre-ordained plan for salvation.
* **Covenant (διαθήκη, diathekē, `{{G1242}}`)**: Many of God's προεπαγγέλλομαι promises are covenantal in nature, establishing a relationship and outlining divine commitments to humanity.
* **Prophecy (προφητεία, prophēteia, `{{G4394}}`)**: The primary means by which God's προεπαγγέλλομαι promises were conveyed in the Old Testament, as explicitly stated in Romans 1:2. The fulfillment of prophecy demonstrates the reliability of what was promised beforehand.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of προεπαγγέλλομαι is profound, particularly in its primary usage concerning God's actions:
1. **Divine Faithfulness and Sovereignty**: The fact that God *promised beforehand* (Romans 1:2) underscores His immutable character and absolute sovereignty. His plans are not reactive or improvised but are established from eternity and unfold according to His perfect will. This instills confidence in the believer that God is faithful to His word and will bring to pass all that He has declared.
2. **Continuity of Redemptive History**: προεπαγγέλλομαι bridges the Old and New Testaments, demonstrating that the gospel of Christ is not a novel concept but the glorious fulfillment of ancient prophecies and divine pledges. This continuity affirms the unity of Scripture and the consistent nature of God's saving purpose across different dispensations. It refutes any notion of a discontinuity between the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New.
3. **Reliability of Holy Scripture**: The "holy scriptures" are presented as the divinely inspired record of God's προεπαγγέλλομαι promises. This elevates the authority and trustworthiness of the biblical text as the very utterance of God, through which His eternal plans are revealed.
4. **Human Responsibility and Integrity**: While less prominent, the use of προεπαγγέλλομαι in 2 Corinthians 9:5 highlights the importance of human integrity in fulfilling commitments made προεπαγγέλλομαι. It reflects a principle of divine order applied to human conduct: just as God is faithful to His promises, so too should His people be diligent in fulfilling their own. This contributes to the health and trust within the community of believers.
### Summary
προεπαγγέλλομαι (proepangéllomai, `{{G4279}}`) signifies "to promise beforehand" or "to promise of old," emphasizing the temporal priority of a commitment. Its rare but significant occurrences in the New Testament reveal crucial theological truths. In Romans 1:2, it establishes the gospel as the fulfillment of God's ancient, pre-ordained promises, revealed through the prophets in the Old Testament scriptures. This highlights God's unwavering faithfulness, His sovereign plan for redemption, and the unified narrative of biblical history. In 2 Corinthians 9:5, the term is applied to human commitments, underscoring the importance of integrity and preparedness in fulfilling promises made in advance. Together, these uses portray a God who is utterly reliable in His προεπαγγέλλομαι word, and they call His people to reflect that same reliability in their own commitments.