from πρό and μεριμνάω; to care (anxiously) in advance:--take thought beforehand.
Transliteration:promerimnáō
Pronunciation:prom-er-im-nah'-o
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb G4305 προμεριμνάω (promerimnáō) is a compound word derived from the preposition πρό (pro), meaning "before" or "in advance," and the verb μεριμνάω (merimnáō) `{{G3309}}`, which signifies "to be anxious, to worry, to be distracted by cares, or to care for." When combined, προμεριμνάω specifically conveys the sense of "to take anxious thought beforehand," "to worry in advance," or "to be preoccupied with future concerns." The inherent nuance of μεριμνάω `{{G3309}}` often carries a negative connotation of burdensome or distracting anxiety, and the prefix πρό intensifies this by emphasizing a pre-emptive, sometimes faithless, preoccupation with what is yet to come, rather than a present trust in divine provision.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
G4305 προμεριμνάω is exceptionally rare in the New Testament, appearing only once. Its sole occurrence is found in the Gospel of Mark:
* [[Mark 13:11]]: "And when they lead you away to deliver you up, do not προμεριμνάω what you are to speak, but whatever is given you in that hour, that speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit."
This verse is situated within Jesus' eschatological discourse, often referred to as the Olivet Discourse, where He prepares His disciples for future persecutions and trials that will precede His return. The command is a direct prohibition against anxious forethought regarding their defense when brought before hostile authorities. Rather than meticulously planning their words or worrying about their performance, the disciples are instructed to rely entirely on the immediate inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit. This highlights a radical departure from human prudence, which would typically advocate for careful preparation in such circumstances. Jesus' injunction is not against wise planning in general, but specifically against the *anxious* and *distrustful* form of preparation that neglects reliance on God's supernatural provision. The emphasis lies on divine enablement, assuring them that their witness will be Spirit-empowered, not self-generated.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **μεριμνάω (merimnáō) `{{G3309}}`:** The base verb, meaning "to be anxious, to worry." This word appears frequently in the Gospels, particularly in Jesus' teachings on worry, such as in the Sermon on the Mount ([[Matthew 6:25-34]]), where He admonishes against anxiety concerning material needs. While μεριμνάω can sometimes denote legitimate concern (e.g., Paul's "anxiety for all the churches" in [[2 Corinthians 11:28]]), in the context of προμεριμνάω, the negative sense of distracting worry is paramount.
* **ἀμερίμνως (amerimnōs) `{{G279}}`:** An adverb meaning "without anxiety" or "without care," representing the antithesis of προμεριμνάω.
* **πρόνοια (pronoia) `{{G4307}}`:** Meaning "forethought" or "providence," often used in a positive sense to describe beneficial planning or divine care (e.g., [[Romans 13:14]], [[Acts 24:2]]). This contrasts with προμεριμνάω by emphasizing that not all forethought is anxious; rather, προμεριμνάω specifically denotes the *anxious* or *worrisome* kind of forethought.
* **πίστις (pistis) `{{G4102}}` / Trust:** The underlying virtue that προμεριμνάω undermines. Anxious forethought about future trials often stems from a lack of complete trust in God's faithfulness and His ability to sustain and empower His servants.
* **Dependence on the Holy Spirit:** The explicit promise in [[Mark 13:11]] that "it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit" directly links the prohibition against προμεριμνάω to the theological concept of Spirit-empowered witness and utter reliance on divine grace.
### Theological Significance
The single use of G4305 προμεριμνάω in [[Mark 13:11]] carries profound theological weight:
* **Divine Sovereignty and Providence:** The command not to προμεριμνάω firmly asserts God's ultimate sovereignty over all circumstances, particularly in the lives of His disciples facing persecution. It teaches that God is fully capable of providing for His people, even in the most challenging situations, and that anxious human forethought can betray a lack of trust in His providential care.
* **Sufficiency of God's Grace:** Jesus' instruction points to the absolute sufficiency of God's grace and the Holy Spirit's enablement. Believers are not left to their own devices or intellectual prowess when confronted by adversaries; rather, they are assured of a divine wisdom and eloquence that will be given "in that hour." This aligns with the broader New Testament theme that God's power is made perfect in human weakness ([[2 Corinthians 12:9]]).
* **Nature of Christian Witness:** The passage defines the nature of authentic Christian witness, especially in times of trial. It is not a performance rehearsed through human anxiety or ingenuity, but a Spirit-inspired testimony. This ensures that the glory for effective witness redounds to God alone, not to the individual's abilities.
* **Faith Over Fear:** The prohibition against προμεριμνάω is a call to a life of faith over fear. It encourages disciples to live in the present moment, trusting God for each day's challenges, rather than being consumed by future anxieties that can paralyze spiritual effectiveness and undermine reliance on God.
### Summary
The Greek word G4305 προμεριμνάω (promerimnáō) denotes the act of "taking anxious thought beforehand" or "worrying in advance." Its singular, yet highly significant, appearance in [[Mark 13:11]] serves as a crucial instruction from Jesus to His disciples: they are not to engage in anxious preoccupation about what to say when facing persecution. This command is immediately followed by the promise that the Holy Spirit will provide the necessary words "in that hour." Thus, προμεριμνάω encapsulates a form of distrustful, self-reliant forethought that Jesus explicitly forbids. Theologically, it underscores the believer's call to absolute reliance on divine providence and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, particularly in moments of crisis. It challenges the human tendency to control the future through anxious planning, instead advocating for a profound trust in God's sovereignty and His unfailing ability to equip His servants for every task and trial.
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