from πρός and ἄγω; to lead towards, i.e. (transitively) to conduct near (summon, present), or (intransitively) to approach:--bring, draw near.
Transliteration:proságō
Pronunciation:pros-ag'-o
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word proságō (`{{G4317}}`) is a compound verb formed from the preposition πρός (pros), meaning "to" or "towards," and the verb ἄγω (agō), meaning "to lead" or "to bring." This etymological foundation reveals its core meaning: "to lead towards" or "to bring near." The semantic range of proságō encompasses both transitive and intransitive uses. Transitive applications involve the act of bringing or presenting someone or something to another, often implying an official presentation, a summons, or an introduction. This can include bringing a person for healing, for judgment, or even an object as an offering. Intransitively, proságō signifies the act of drawing near or approaching oneself, though this usage is less frequent in the New Testament compared to its transitive forms. The essence of proságō lies in the movement of proximity, whether initiated by an external agent bringing something closer or by the subject itself moving into closer proximity.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Occurrences of proságō in the New Testament demonstrate its varied applications, highlighting different facets of "bringing near":
* **Bringing for Judgment or Presentation:** In [[Matthew 18:24]], a debtor is "brought" to the king, signifying a presentation before authority for accountability. Similarly, in [[Acts 16:20]], Paul and Silas are "brought" before the magistrates for accusation and judgment, underscoring the formal nature of the presentation. In [[Matthew 4:5]], the devil "brings" Jesus to the holy city, demonstrating a directed movement for a specific purpose (temptation).
* **Bringing for Healing or Blessing:** The verb is used in contexts of bringing individuals to Jesus for divine intervention. In [[Matthew 17:17]] and [[Luke 9:41]], a father implores Jesus to "bring" his demon-possessed son, expressing a desperate plea for healing and restoration. This highlights the compassionate aspect of bringing the afflicted into the presence of the Healer.
* **Approaching (Intransitive):** A notable intransitive use appears in [[Acts 27:27]], where sailors "draw near" to land. Here, proságō describes a physical approach, emphasizing the gradual reduction of distance. While less frequent, this usage confirms the word's capacity to denote simple proximity.
* **Bringing to God (Theological Climax):** The most profound theological use of proságō is found in [[1 Peter 3:18]]: "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God." This verse encapsulates the ultimate purpose of Christ's atoning work: to bridge the chasm between sinful humanity and a holy God, thereby granting access and reconciliation.
### Related Words & Concepts
Proságō shares semantic space with several other Greek terms related to movement and proximity, yet each carries distinct nuances:
* `{{G71}}` (agō): The root verb, meaning "to lead" or "to bring." Proságō specifies the *direction* of leading – *towards* something.
* `{{G1448}}` (eggizō): To draw near, approach. This word often describes a general nearness in space or time, or the act of a person approaching something or someone. While proságō can mean "draw near" intransitively, eggizō is more commonly used for general approach.
* `{{G4334}}` (proserchomai): To come to, approach. This is perhaps the most common verb for expressing the act of coming into the presence of someone, especially Jesus or God. While proserchomai emphasizes the subject's initiative in coming, proságō often highlights the action of one person bringing another into a particular presence or state.
* `{{G4374}}` (prosphero): To bring to, offer. This verb is frequently used for bringing offerings or sacrifices, emphasizing the act of presentation, particularly in a cultic context. While proságō can imply presentation, prosphero is more specific to offerings.
The concepts intricately linked with proságō include access, reconciliation, presentation, and mediation. The word often denotes a change in status or relationship through the act of being brought into a new proximity.
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of proságō culminates in its usage in [[1 Peter 3:18]], where it describes the profound outcome of Christ's redemptive work. The phrase "that He might bring us to God" unveils the essence of salvation: not merely forgiveness of sins, but the restoration of a broken relationship and the granting of intimate access to the divine presence. Before Christ, humanity was alienated from God due to sin ([[Ephesians 2:12]]). The Old Covenant provided a limited and mediated access through priests and sacrificial systems, which served as a shadow of the ultimate reality ([[Hebrews 10:1]]).
Christ, as the righteous one suffering for the unrighteous, acts as the ultimate Mediator and High Priest, who, by His sacrifice, "brings" believers into a direct and unhindered relationship with the Father. This "bringing near" implies a complete transformation of status, from estranged to adopted, from condemned to reconciled. It signifies the end of separation and the beginning of intimate fellowship. This theological truth underscores the efficacy and sufficiency of Christ's atonement, which not only cleanses but also establishes a permanent, living access to God, a privilege previously unimaginable.
### Summary
Proságō (`{{G4317}}`) is a versatile Greek verb meaning "to lead towards," "to bring near," or "to approach." Its transitive uses encompass bringing individuals for judgment or healing, while its intransitive use denotes simple physical approximation. The profound theological significance of proságō is most powerfully articulated in [[1 Peter 3:18]], where it describes Christ's singular act of "bringing us to God." This highlights the core of the Gospel: through Christ's atoning sacrifice, humanity, once alienated by sin, is granted intimate and direct access to the Holy God, transforming a relationship of separation into one of reconciled fellowship. The word thus encapsulates the foundational truth of Christian access and the unique mediatorial role of Jesus Christ.
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