προσαγωγή

From the study of Romans 5:2

Range of meaning

The noun comes from the verb prosagō, 'to bring toward, lead up to'. Its senses include: (1) the act of bringing someone in, an introduction; (2) the right or opportunity of approach, access, especially to a person of high rank; (3) less often, a way of approach, which some apply to a landing place for ships. The NT uses it only three times: here, Ephesians 2:18 and Ephesians 3:12.

Against the English

'Access' (KJV, BSB, WEB, NIV, ESV) is accurate but static, like holding a pass. 'Introduction' (NASB 1995) keeps the sense of someone leading you in. The Greek can carry both: Christ brings us in, and the right to be there stays with us.

Used elsewhere in the period

Xenophon (Cyropaedia 7.5.45) uses the word for gaining an audience with the Persian king Cyrus. Later Greek sources mention court officials whose job was to bring visitors before the ruler, called 'introducers' (prosagōgeis). In the Greek Old Testament the verb prosagō is a temple word. It is used for 'bringing near' Aaron and his sons to be consecrated (Exod 29:4, 8) and for bringing offerings to the altar (Lev 1–3). 1 Peter 3:18 uses the verb: Christ died 'to bring you to God'. Some commentators note a nautical use, a place where ships come in to land, but that sense is rare and unlikely here.

From the study of Ephesians 2:18

Range of meaning

From prosagō, 'to bring toward, lead to'. The noun can mean (1) the act of bringing someone in, an introduction, as when a court official ushers a visitor before a king; or (2) the resulting right or way of approach, i.e. access. BDAG gives 'way of approach, access', and notes that the sense 'introduction' has been argued for in the NT.

Against the English

All the major English versions say 'access'. That is accurate, but in modern English 'access' is thin and impersonal: entry rights, availability, a login. The Greek carries a picture of being brought, or being allowed to come, into a royal or sacred presence that was otherwise closed.

How it drifted

'Access' has not changed its core meaning. It has simply lost its ceremonial setting, because modern readers mostly meet it in technical and bureaucratic contexts.

Used elsewhere in the period

Greek authors use the word family for admission to a ruler. BDAG cites Xenophon, Cyropaedia 7.5.45, on access to the Persian king, and the related title prosagōgeus was used for court officials who brought people before the king. In the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament) the verb prosagō is a standard word for 'bringing near' offerings to the altar and bringing priests near to serve (e.g. Exod 29:4; Lev 1:2–3; 8:24). In the NT the noun appears only in Rom 5:2, Eph 2:18 and Eph 3:12 ('boldness and access with confidence'). The verb appears in 1 Pet 3:18: Christ died 'that he might bring us to God'.

From the study of Ephesians 3:12

Range of meaning

From prosagō, 'to bring toward, lead in'. The basic meaning is the act of bringing someone near: an introduction or ushering-in. It can also mean the resulting right of approach. Greek writers use it for being presented to a king, and the related verb is used for bringing offerings or worshippers to an altar. Scholars debate whether the noun keeps a transitive force ('being brought in by someone') or simply means 'access, way in'.

Against the English

KJV, ESV, NASB and WEB say 'access', which is accurate but flat to modern ears, much like an access card or permission to enter a building. NIV and BSB turn the noun into a verb ('approach God', 'enter God's presence'). That makes the destination explicit, but the noun 'access' disappears as something 'we have'.

How it drifted

Little real drift. The English word simply loses the court and temple picture of someone escorting you in.

Used elsewhere in the period

Xenophon, Cyropaedia 7.5.45, describes the difficulty of gaining access to the king. The court official who presented visitors was called a prosagōgeus, 'introducer' (Plutarch and others). The verb prosagō is frequent in the Septuagint for bringing offerings and priests before the LORD (e.g. Exodus 29:4, 29:8; Leviticus 1:2–3). NT: only Romans 5:2; Ephesians 2:18; 3:12. Compare 1 Peter 3:18, where Christ died 'in order to bring (prosagagē) you to God'.