Greek word · G4286

πρόθεσις

prothesis

purpose

Literally 'a setting-before'. It can mean (1) setting something out on display, or (2) a plan, resolve or purpose set beforehand.

Appears 12 times in 12 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

πρό-θεσις, -εως, ἡ

[in LXX: Exodus 40:4, 23 (עֵרֶךְ), 1 Chronicles 9:32, al. (מַעֲרֶכֶת), 2 Chronicles 4:19 (פָּנִים), 1Ma.1:22, 2Ma.3:8, al. ;]

1. a setting forth (Plat., Plut., al.): οἱ ἄρτοι τῆς π. (cf. LXX, ll. with, elsewhere ἄρτοι ἐνώπιοι, Exodus 25:29; οἱ ἄ. τοῦ προσώπου, Nehemiah 10:33), Matthew 12:4, Mark 2:26, Luke 6:4; ἡ π. τῶν ἄρτων, Hebrews 9:2.

2. a purpose (Mist., Polyb., al.; 2Mac, l.with): Acts 11:23 27:13, Romans 8:28 9:11, Ephesians 1:11 3:11, 2 Timothy 1:9 3:10.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Romans 8:28

Range of meaning

Literally 'a setting-before'. It can mean (1) setting something out on display, or (2) a plan, resolve or purpose set beforehand.

Against the English

Most English versions say 'his purpose'. KJV prints 'his' in italics because it is supplied, and YLT leaves it out ('according to purpose'). NLT's 'his purpose for them' makes it individual and personal in a way the Greek does not.

How it drifted

'His purpose' is easily heard as 'God's specific plan for my individual life'. Paul's 'purpose' is God's large design for his people: a family conformed to the Son (8:29) and the history of election he goes on to trace in Romans 9–11.

Used elsewhere in the period

Greek Old Testament: the 'bread of the setting-forth' (bread of the Presence), Exod 40:23 and elsewhere. 2 Maccabees 3:8 and 3 Maccabees 1:22 for 'plan, intention'. Polybius commonly uses it for a plan. Paul: Rom 9:11 ('God's purpose according to election'); Eph 1:11; 3:11; 2 Tim 1:9 ('his own purpose and grace').

From the study of Ephesians 1:11

Range of meaning

Literally 'a placing before'. This gives (1) a setting-out or display, as in the 'bread of the presentation' (ἄρτοι τῆς προθέσεως, the showbread set before God in the sanctuary), and (2) a purpose, resolve or plan, meaning what one has set before oneself to do.

Against the English

'Purpose' (KJV, WEB, YLT) and 'plan' (BSB, NIV) both fit well. 'Plan' can sound like a schedule. 'Purpose' keeps the sense of a resolved intention.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Septuagint it is used for the showbread (e.g. Exod 40:23; 1 Chr 9:32). In Hellenistic Greek (Polybius, papyri) it commonly means 'intention, resolve'. Paul uses it in Romans 8:28 ('called according to purpose') and 9:11 ('God's purpose according to election'), and Ephesians 3:11 has 'the eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus'.

From the study of 2 Timothy 1:9

Range of meaning

Literally a 'setting forth' or 'placing before'. From that: a plan, purpose, intention or resolve. It also has a cultic sense: in the Septuagint the 'bread of the presence' is artoi tēs protheseōs, 'loaves of setting-forth'.

Against the English

'Purpose' is a good match. The Greek adds the idea of something set out beforehand and firmly resolved, a settled plan rather than a passing wish.

Used elsewhere in the period

Used for human intention in Acts 11:23; 27:13 and in Hellenistic historians such as Polybius. Paul uses it for God's plan in Romans 8:28; 9:11 ('so that God's purpose according to election might stand, not by works but by him who calls'); Ephesians 1:11; 3:11. The parallel with Romans 9:11-12 is especially close: purpose, not works, the one who calls.

Similar words

Where it appears

Matthew · 1

  1. Matthew 12:4 προθέσεως presentation

    He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for them to eat, but only for the priests.

    Here: "Of the setting-forth": bread laid out before God. It is the standard Greek term for the Hebrew "bread of the face/Presence". The meaning "purpose" (as in Romans 8:28) does not apply here.

Mark · 1

  1. Mark 2:26 προθέσεως presentation

    During the high priesthood of Abiathar, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which was lawful only for the priests. And he gave some to his companions as well.”

    Here: The loaves "of the setting-forth", meaning bread laid out before God. This is the Greek Bible's set phrase for the Hebrew "bread of the Presence". The general gloss "purpose" does not apply here.

Luke · 1

  1. Luke 6:4 προθέσεως presentation

    He entered the house of God, took the consecrated bread and gave it to his companions, and ate what is lawful only for the priests to eat.”

Acts · 2

  1. Acts 11:23 προθέσει with resolute purpose

    When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to abide in the Lord with all their hearts.

    Here: 'With purpose' or 'with resolve': a decision firmly set ahead of time. It describes the manner of their staying. It points to a settled choice of the will rather than a surge of feeling.

  2. Acts 27:13 προθέσεως purpose

    When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had their opportunity. So they weighed anchor and sailed along, hugging the coast of Crete.

    Here: Their plan or goal: getting to Phoenix to spend the winter there. It is a human scheme here, the majority decision of verse 12, not a divine purpose.

Romans · 2

  1. Romans 8:28 πρόθεσιν [His] purpose

    And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

    Here: A purpose set out beforehand. Greek has no 'his' here. Context (8:29–30; 9:11) shows it is God's purpose, which is why translations add 'His'.

  2. Romans 9:11 πρόθεσις purpose

    Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s plan of election might stand,

    Here: God's set intention, decided beforehand. The same word appears in Romans 8:28, 'called according to his purpose'.

Ephesians · 2

  1. Ephesians 1:11 πρόθεσιν [the] purpose

    In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will,

    Here: A purpose that has been set out in front, a resolved intention. Without the article it reads like a description: 'in accordance with a purpose, namely that of the One who…'.

  2. Ephesians 3:11 πρόθεσιν [the] purpose

    according to the eternal purpose that He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

    Here: A plan God set out beforehand and has fixed his mind on. In Ephesians it is the same plan as in 1:11: God 'works all things according to the counsel of his will.'

2 Timothy · 2

  1. 2 Timothy 1:9 πρόθεσιν purpose

    He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began.

    Here: 'Purpose': a plan God set out beforehand and is determined to carry out. It is the same word Paul uses for God's purpose in Romans 8:28 and Ephesians 1:11.

  2. 2 Timothy 3:10 προθέσει, purpose,

    You, however, have observed my teaching, my conduct, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my perseverance,

    Here: The settled aim Paul was driving at, the purpose that set the direction of his life. In this letter (1:9) the same word names God's purpose, which Paul's own purpose served.

Hebrews · 1

  1. Hebrews 9:2 πρόθεσις presentation

    A tabernacle was prepared. In its first room were the lampstand, the table, and the consecrated bread. This was called the Holy Place.

    Here: Here the concrete sense: the act or arrangement of setting something out on display. The Strong's gloss 'purpose' (as in Romans 8:28) does not fit this verse. What is counted as the third item is the loaves as laid out.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.