προακούω (proakouō)
proakouō
to hear beforehand
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb proakouō means to hear something in advance, prior to its full realization or fulfillment. It combines a prefix indicating "before" with a root meaning "to hear," creating a sense of anticipating news or events that have not yet come to pass.
This word appears only once in the New Testament, in Colossians 1:5. Paul uses it to describe how the believers heard about their hope stored up in heaven. The usage suggests they received this information beforehand, allowing them to anticipate the future reality of salvation with confidence.
Its rarity highlights its specific function here. Rather than general knowledge, it points to a prior announcement or report that shapes present expectation. The term underscores how early Christian communities understood their faith as grounded in promises already declared, even if the final outcome remained future.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word proakouō appears just once in the New Testament, carrying a simple but profound meaning: to hear something beforehand. In Colossians 1:5, Paul uses it to describe how the believers received news of their heavenly hope before they fully experienced it. This is not about guessing the future, but about trusting a message that has already been announced.
For your faith, this offers a steady anchor. You do not have to wait until everything is clear to believe. The promise was spoken, and you heard it. That early hearing shapes your present confidence. It reminds us that Christian hope rests on what God has already declared true, even when the final fulfillment lies ahead.
This single word invites you to rest in the reliability of God’s word. You have heard the truth, and it stands firm. Let that assurance guide your steps today, knowing the One who spoke it will bring it to pass.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- you heard of before1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- προηκούσατε1×
Key Verses
-
Colossians 1:5
because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the Good News
This is the only occurrence of the word, where Paul explains that the Colossians heard about their heavenly hope in advance through the gospel message.