προεπαγγέλλω (proepangellō)
proepangellō
to promise
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb proepangellō means to announce a promise in advance, setting it apart from a casual pledge by emphasizing its prior declaration. In the New Testament, it appears only twice, both times highlighting God’s foresight and faithfulness. Paul uses it in Romans 1:2 to describe how the gospel was promised beforehand through the prophets, and again in 2 Corinthians 9:5 regarding the generous gift prepared ahead of time.
Its structure combines a prefix meaning "before" with a root for "promise," creating a sense of anticipation. This word suggests that what is being offered has been established in God’s plan long before its actual fulfillment. It carries weight because it links the ancient prophetic words directly to the present reality of Christ, showing continuity rather than surprise.
Translators typically render this as "promised beforehand" or simply "promised," depending on context. The emphasis remains on the timing and certainty of the declaration. By using this term, Scripture underscores that divine promises are not reactive but rooted in eternal purpose, giving believers confidence in their fulfillment.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word proepangellō carries the sense of a promise made long before its fulfillment, anchoring our faith in God’s eternal plan rather than momentary circumstances. In Romans 1:2, Paul notes that the gospel was promised beforehand through the prophets, showing that Christ’s arrival was never an afterthought but part of a divine narrative stretching back centuries.
This prior declaration offers deep comfort. When you face uncertainty, remember that God’s promises are rooted in His foresight and faithfulness. The same God who spoke through ancient prophets is faithful to bring His words to pass, ensuring that what He has pledged will surely come to be.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- having pre-promised1×
- He promised beforehand1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- προεπηγγείλατο1×
- προεπηγγελμένην1×
Key Verses
-
Romans 1:2
which he promised before through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,
This verse establishes the gospel as a pre-existing divine promise rather than a new revelation, linking the Old Testament prophets directly to Christ.
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II Corinthians 9:5
I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brothers that they would go before to you and arrange ahead of time the generous gift that you promised before, that the same might be ready as a matter of generosity, and not of greediness.
Here Paul uses the term to describe a generous gift prepared in advance, emphasizing that Christian generosity should reflect God’s prior provision.