προνοέω

From the study of 2 Corinthians 8:21

Range of meaning

Made from pro- ('before') and noeō ('to think, perceive'). It means to think of something beforehand, take thought for, see to it, and so provide for. Its noun is pronoia, 'forethought', which also means 'providence'. It can mean supplying someone's needs (1 Tim 5:8, providing for one's household), or attending carefully to a matter so that it turns out well.

Against the English

KJV 'Providing for' and YLT 'providing' keep the old Latin sense of providere ('to see ahead, make provision'). Modern readers hear 'providing' as 'supplying', which turns 'providing for honest things' into nonsense or something odd. BSB 'taking great care to do' and NIV's 'taking pains' (wording recalled; see translations) capture the care, but they add the verb 'do' and lose the stress on thinking ahead. ESV 'aim at' and NASB/WEB 'have regard for' are closer to the forethought idea.

How it drifted

In 1611 'provide' still carried its Latin sense of foresight. Since then it has narrowed in ordinary English to 'supply' or 'give'.

Used elsewhere in the period

Septuagint Prov 3:4 uses it in the same phrase: προνοοῦ καλὰ ἐνώπιον κυρίου καὶ ἀνθρώπων ('take thought for fine things before the Lord and humans'). Paul uses the same wording again in Rom 12:17 (προνοούμενοι καλὰ ἐνώπιον πάντων ἀνθρώπων). It is common in Hellenistic Greek for administrators 'seeing to' a matter, and for the gods' oversight (pronoia) of the world.

From the study of 1 Timothy 5:8

Range of meaning

Literally "to perceive or think beforehand". It came to mean "to take thought for, take care of, see to, provide for" someone or something. With a genitive of persons, as here, it means looking after people's needs, usually in material ways.

Against the English

"Provide for" (KJV, BSB, ESV, NASB, NIV) is accurate. NLT's "care for" is broader and also fair. Modern readers can easily narrow "provide" to "earn the household income", but the Greek focuses on making sure that dependents, here mainly aged widowed relatives, are actually looked after.

How it drifted

There is no drift in the word itself. The narrowing comes from reading the verse apart from its paragraph about widows.

Used elsewhere in the period

Used in Rom 12:17 and 2 Cor 8:21 for "taking thought for" what is honourable. In the Septuagint (Wis 13:16) a craftsman "takes forethought" so his idol will not fall. In papyri and inscriptions it is common for officials or relatives who see to someone's maintenance. The related noun pronoia ("providence") was used of the gods' care and of a benefactor's foresight.

From the study of Romans 12:17

Range of meaning

'To think beforehand' (pro- 'before' + noeō 'perceive, think'). Hence to foresee, take thought for, plan for, see to, and care for or provide for someone (1 Tim 5:8). In the middle voice: to take care to do something, to make a point of.

Against the English

KJV 'provide' meant 'foresee, make provision for' in 1611 (from Latin pro-videre, 'see ahead'). Modern readers hear 'supply'. WEB and NASB use 'respect', which sounds like admiring something. BSB 'carefully consider', ESV 'give thought to' and NIV 'be careful to do' keep the forethought better.

How it drifted

The Vulgate's 'providentes' gave the KJV its 'provide'. Since then the English word has narrowed to mean supplying goods.

Used elsewhere in the period

Prov 3:4 LXX, 'kai pronoou kala enōpion kyriou kai anthrōpōn' ('and take thought for fine things before the Lord and people'), is almost certainly Paul's source. He uses the same phrasing in 2 Cor 8:21 about handling the collection money above reproach.