Write Beforehand

Greek Pronunciation: pro-GRA-fo
Strong's Number: 4270
Goodrich/Kohlenberger Number: 4592
Key Verse: “... before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed crucified” -- Galatians 3:1

Prographo is a compound verb consisting of pro meaning “before” and grapho meaning “to write.” This single word in Greek is translated using two or more English words. It appears in only 4 verses in the New Testament.

In Ephesians 3:3, Paul indicates that he wrote before to them, either in the earlier part of this epistle (1:9-10), or possibly in a former epistle. In Jude 1:4, the reference is to godless men who have crept into the church who were long beforehand marked out for condemnation. [The NIV translates as written about long ago.] In this verse, prographo is in the perfect tense, indicating something that occurred in the past with continuing results. This shows that their coming was predicted and their lives were already placed under condemnation as enemies of God. They were to be shunned because, dangerous as they seemed, they could not alter the Divine purpose. In Romans 15:4, that which “was written in earlier times was written for our instruction,” God intended the Scriptures for the instruction of all generations. The Scriptures were written to teach us and therefore have abiding value. As Christians learn from the past, they are motivated to endure and be comforted in the present, looking ahead in hope to the future.

In GALATIANS 3:1, Paul is responding to wrong doctrine of justification by works rather than the grace of God, and accuses the Galatians of being bewitched by a malign influence. They were without excuse because Christ had been publicly portrayed crucified. [KJV translates as “hath been evidently set forth.”] Prographo is used to describe all public notices or proclamations. Thus, “Christ was placarded before your very eyes in our preaching.” This placard ought to have kept their eyes from wandering, and so to have acted as a charm against all Judaic sorceries. Ralph Earle says, “The hint here is obvious. We are to keep our eyes on Jesus that we may not become fascinated by the worldly allurements around. When our eyes are filled with the bright shining of the Light of the World, we shall not be captivated by the dazzling neon signs of the world's pleasures. When we are following the Light, other little flashes may annoy us, but they will not divert us from the narrow way that leads to life and light eternal.”