προορίζω

From the study of Romans 8:29

Range of meaning

To decide beforehand, to mark out or set the limits in advance. It is built on horizō, 'to set a boundary, define, appoint' (the source of English 'horizon'). Rare before the New Testament.

Against the English

'Predestine' comes from the Latin Vulgate's praedestinavit. In modern English it usually suggests fate, a fixed destiny, or a decree covering everything that happens. The Greek word is more specific: it fixes a goal in advance, and Paul names that goal every time he uses it.

How it drifted

Later debates (Augustine against Pelagius, then the Reformation and the Calvinist–Arminian arguments) made 'predestination' a technical term for God's eternal decree about who is saved and who is lost. English readers hear that whole system, plus the everyday sense of fate, in the single word.

Used elsewhere in the period

New Testament only: Acts 4:28 (what God's hand and plan 'decided beforehand' would happen to Jesus), 1 Corinthians 2:7 (wisdom God 'decreed before the ages for our glory'), Ephesians 1:5 ('marked us out beforehand for adoption as sons'), Ephesians 1:11, and Romans 8:29–30. It is not found in the Greek Old Testament. Elsewhere in Greek it is rare and late.

From the study of Ephesians 1:11

Range of meaning

Built from πρό ('before') and ὁρίζω ('to mark off a boundary, define, determine'; compare English 'horizon'). It means to decide or determine beforehand, or to mark out in advance for a particular end. It is rare outside Christian writing. In the New Testament it appears in Acts 4:28, Romans 8:29–30, 1 Corinthians 2:7 and Ephesians 1:5, 11.

Against the English

'Predestinated' (KJV) and 'predestined' (BSB, NIV, ESV, NASB) are accurate in themselves. 'Foreordained' (WEB, YLT) is equally faithful and carries less baggage. NLT's 'chose us in advance' is a fair paraphrase but merges the verb with 'chose'.

How it drifted

From Augustine onward, and above all in the Reformation-era debates between Calvinists and Arminians, 'predestination' became a technical term for God's decree about which individuals will be saved or lost. Modern readers also hear 'fate' or 'destiny' in it. Paul's word is about an advance decision that sets a goal, and the goal is always named: adoption as sons (1:5), being conformed to the Son's image (Rom 8:29), being 'for the praise of his glory' (1:12). Nothing is said here about anyone predestined to destruction.

Used elsewhere in the period

Rare before the New Testament. The simple verb ὁρίζω is used in Acts 2:23 and 10:42 for God's 'determined' plan and the one he 'appointed' as judge. Later Christian writers (e.g. Ignatius, To the Ephesians, preface: 'predestined before the ages') pick up Paul's usage. The idea of God fixing things beforehand has Jewish parallels in the Qumran texts, e.g. 1QS 3.15: 'before they existed he established all their design'.

From the study of Ephesians 1:5

Range of meaning

From pro ('before') + horizō ('to mark a boundary, set a limit, determine', the root of English 'horizon'). It means to decide upon beforehand, to predetermine, to mark out in advance. Its ordinary sense is setting a goal or boundary ahead of time; the verb does not by itself say who is affected or how.

Against the English

KJV 'predestinated', BSB/WEB/NASB 'predestined', YLT 'foreordained', NLT 'decided in advance'. 'Predestine' is an accurate equivalent, but in English the word now comes loaded with centuries of debate about fate and who is saved or damned. 'Decided beforehand' or 'marked out in advance' is closer to how the Greek word felt.

How it drifted

The English word comes through the Latin Vulgate's praedestinare. After Augustine's controversy with Pelagius (5th century) and again at the Reformation, 'predestination' became a technical doctrine-word about individual eternal destiny. Readers now meet that whole system in the one English word.

Used elsewhere in the period

Rare in Greek before the New Testament and absent from the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament). In the NT it occurs six times: Acts 4:28 (what God's hand 'predetermined' to happen at the crucifixion); Rom 8:29–30; 1 Cor 2:7 (wisdom God 'predetermined before the ages'); Eph 1:5, 11. In every case God is the subject and the stress is on his purpose going ahead of events.