middle voice from πρό and τίθημι; to place before, i.e. (for oneself) to exhibit; (to oneself) to propose (determine):--purpose, set forth.
Transliteration:protíthemai
Pronunciation:prot-ith'-em-ahee
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb προτίθεμαι (protíthemai, `{{G4388}}`) is a compound word formed from the preposition πρό (pró, `{{G4253}}`), meaning "before" (in place or time), and the verb τίθημι (títhēmi, `{{G5087}}`), meaning "to place, set, put." Crucially, προτίθεμαι appears in the middle voice, which signifies an action performed by the subject for or to themselves, or with a particular personal interest or purpose.
This middle voice inflection gives protíthemai a dual semantic range:
1. **To set forth, exhibit, display:** To place something before others for public view, presentation, or consideration. This implies an open, deliberate act of showing or making something known.
2. **To purpose, determine, resolve:** To set something before one's own mind as an intention, goal, or fixed plan. This refers to an internal decision or resolve made by the subject for themselves.
The context invariably determines which nuance is primary, though in some instances, both senses of public display and internal purpose may be interwoven.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb προτίθεμαι (protíthemai, `{{G4388}}`) appears twice in the New Testament, both times in the book of Romans, and each instance illuminates a distinct facet of its semantic range.
1. **Romans 3:25**: "Whom God **set forth** as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed." [[Romans 3:25]]
In this pivotal theological statement, the phrase "προέθετο ὁ θεὸς" (God set forth) carries immense weight. Here, "set forth" primarily signifies "to exhibit" or "to display publicly." God actively and deliberately presented Jesus Christ as the means of atonement. This was not a hidden act but a public manifestation of divine justice and mercy. The middle voice emphasizes God's own initiative and sovereign purpose in this act of providing salvation. It underscores that God Himself purposed and brought about this public display of propitiation, making it accessible to humanity. Some scholars also see a secondary nuance of "purposed" here, meaning God had eternally determined this plan before its public manifestation.
2. **Romans 1:13**: "Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often **purposed** to come to you—but was hindered until now—that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles." [[Romans 1:13]]
Here, the verb "προεθέμην" (I purposed) clearly means "I intended," "I resolved," or "I determined." Paul is expressing his personal, internal decision and long-standing desire to visit the Roman believers. He set this goal before himself, indicating a deliberate intention. This usage aligns with the second semantic range of the word, highlighting human planning and resolve.
These two occurrences demonstrate the versatility of προτίθεμαι, moving from a grand divine purpose publicly exhibited to a personal human intention.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding προτίθεμαι (protíthemai, `{{G4388}}`) is enhanced by considering its constituent parts and related theological concepts:
* **τίθημι (títhēmi, `{{G5087}}`):** The base verb "to place, put, set." The addition of the prefix πρό (pró, `{{G4253}}`) refines this basic action to "place *before*."
* **πρό (pró, `{{G4253}}`):** The preposition "before," which can denote spatial precedence (placing in front of) or temporal precedence (planning in advance). Both senses are relevant to προτίθεμαι.
* **Divine Purpose/Counsel:** In the context of [[Romans 3:25]], προτίθεμαι aligns with the broader biblical theme of God's eternal plan and sovereign will (e.g., βουλὴ, boulē, `{{G1012}}`; πρόθεσις, próthesis, `{{G4286}}`). God's "setting forth" of Christ is not arbitrary but flows from His determined counsel.
* **Atonement/Propitiation:** The specific object of God's "setting forth" in [[Romans 3:25]] is ἱλαστήριον (hilastērion, `{{G2435}}`), "propitiation" or "atoning sacrifice." This highlights the redemptive context in which the word is used.
* **Justification:** The act described in [[Romans 3:25]] is foundational to the doctrine of justification by faith, where God's righteousness is revealed and imputed.
* **Human Intention/Will:** In [[Romans 1:13]], προτίθεμαι connects to the concept of human will (θέλημα, thélēma, `{{G2307}}`) and purpose, albeit subject to divine providence.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of προτίθεμαι (protíthemai, `{{G4388}}`) is profoundly concentrated in [[Romans 3:25]]. Here, the word describes a decisive and central act within God's plan of salvation.
* **Divine Initiative and Sovereignty:** God "set forth" Christ. This underscores that salvation is not a human achievement but a divine provision. It is God who takes the initiative, demonstrating His sovereign power and unwavering commitment to His redemptive purpose. The middle voice powerfully conveys God's personal involvement and self-determination in this act.
* **Public Display of Redemption:** The idea of "setting forth" implies a public, visible exhibition. Christ's death on the cross was not a secret event but a public spectacle, openly displaying God's answer to sin. This public nature ensures that the means of reconciliation are known and accessible to all who believe. It is a revelation of God's righteousness and grace to a world in need.
* **Foundation of Justification:** By "setting forth" Christ as a propitiation, God established the sole basis for human justification. This act demonstrates how God can be both just and the justifier of those who have faith in Jesus [[Romans 3:26]]. It is the divine solution to the problem of human sin, openly presented for faith.
* **Eternal Purpose Made Manifest:** While the immediate sense in [[Romans 3:25]] is public exhibition, the underlying theological reality is that this "setting forth" was part of God's eternal purpose (πρόθεσις, próthesis, `{{G4286}}`). The public display in history is the temporal manifestation of a divine plan conceived before the foundation of the world.
In essence, προτίθεμαι in [[Romans 3:25]] encapsulates God's active, intentional, and publicly revealed provision for humanity's salvation through Christ.
### Summary
The Greek verb προτίθεμαι (protíthemai, `{{G4388}}`) is a middle-voice compound verb meaning "to place before oneself." Its semantic range encompasses two primary senses: "to set forth, exhibit, or display publicly" and "to purpose, determine, or resolve for oneself."
In the New Testament, both meanings are attested in the book of Romans. In [[Romans 1:13]], Paul uses it to convey his personal "purpose" or "intention" to visit the Roman believers. More significantly, in [[Romans 3:25]], it describes God's act of "setting forth" or "exhibiting" Jesus Christ as a propitiation for sins. This usage highlights God's sovereign initiative, His eternal purpose, and the public, accessible nature of His redemptive provision through the atoning work of Christ. The middle voice emphasizes God's self-determined action in bringing about salvation, making προτίθεμαι a word rich in theological import, particularly for understanding the divine foundation of justification by faith.
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