English · KJV
G4306

προνοέω

pronoéō /pron-o-eh'-o/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom πρό and νοιέω
Meaningto consider in advance, i.e. look out for beforehand (actively, by way of maintenance for others; middle voice by way of circumspection for oneself)
KJV usageprovide (for).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of pronoéō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word pronoéō, represented by G4306, means to consider in advance or to look out for beforehand. It appears 3 times in 3 unique verses in the Bible. This term speaks to the active maintenance for others and the circumspection one has for oneself, often translated as to provide for.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical text, G4306 is used to highlight both practical responsibility and public integrity. It commands believers to provide things honest in the sight of all men Romans 12:17. This principle is reinforced by the instruction to be providing for honest things not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men 2 Corinthians 8:21. The concept is given severe weight in the context of family, stating that if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he has denied the faith 1 Timothy 5:8.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the application of this foresight:

  • G2570 kalós (honest): This word for good or honest describes the nature of the things a believer should provide for, emphasizing that which is valuable and virtuous in appearance and use (Romans 12:17, 2 Corinthians 8:21).
  • G1799 enṓpion (in the sight of): Meaning before or in the presence of, this term defines the audience for a believer's foresight. Actions are to be honest not just before the Lord, but also in the sight of men 2 Corinthians 8:21.
  • G3609 oikeîos (of his own house): Used to mean domestic or a relative, this word specifies the primary recipients of a believer's provision, highlighting the importance of caring for those of the household 1 Timothy 5:8.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G4306 is significant, tying forethought to core tenets of faith.

  • Familial Duty as Faith: The failure to provide for one's own household is presented as a denial of the faith G4102, making it a critical component of Christian living. A person in this state is considered worse than an infidel 1 Timothy 5:8.
  • Integrity in Public Witness: G4306 is directly linked to maintaining an honest reputation. Believers are called to provide for things that are seen as honest by all men G444, which serves as a public testament to their faith Romans 12:17.
  • Foresight in Conduct: The word's core meaning of considering in advance extends beyond material needs to encompass a proactive lifestyle of integrity. This involves planning one's actions to be honorable in the sight of both God and man 2 Corinthians 8:21.

Summary

In summary, G4306 conveys a crucial aspect of practical faith that involves more than simple provision. It is a call to intentional foresight, demanding that believers actively plan to care for their own families and to live with unimpeachable integrity before the world. Failure to do so, particularly concerning one's own household, is treated as a rejection of the very faith one professes.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 3 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • Present Active Indicative 1st Plural 1×
  • Present Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
  • Present Middle Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×
Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present
Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Active
The subject performs the action.
Middle
The subject acts on or for itself.
Indicative
A plain statement of fact.
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

G2570 καλός of uncertain affinity; properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e. valuable or vir G1799 ἐνώπιον neuter of a compound of ἐν and a derivative of ὀπτάνομαι; in the face of (literally or figuratively):--before, in the pr G3609 οἰκεῖος from οἶκος; domestic, i.e. (as noun), a relative, adherent:--(those) of the (his own) house(-hold). G4102 πίστις from πείθω; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious t G444 ἄνθρωπος from ἀνήρ and (the countenance; from ὀπτάνομαι); man-faced, i.e. a human being:--certain, man.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 3 verses across 3 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Romans, 2 Corinthians, and 1 Timothy (1 verse each); never once in the other 24.

1
Romans
1
2 Corinthians
1
1 Timothy

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.