Predestination
προορίζω (Proorizō)
God's sovereign determination of events and destinies before they occur
Predestination (proorizo, meaning 'to determine beforehand') refers to God's eternal plan and purpose for His creation, particularly His choice of individuals for salvation before the foundation of the world.
"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified." — Romans 8:29-30 (KJV)
Key Verses
Romans 8:29-30
“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”Read in context
Ephesians 1:5
“Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.”Read in context
Ephesians 1:11
“In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.”Read in context
The Word Proorizo
The Greek 'proorizo' combines 'pro' (before) and 'horizo' (to determine, set boundaries). It means 'to determine or decree beforehand.' The word appears six times in the New Testament, always referring to God's sovereign plan established before creation. Predestination affirms that God does not react to events — He has purposefully ordained the course of history according to His wisdom and will.
What Is Predestinated?
Romans 8:29 specifies the content of predestination: believers are predestinated 'to be conformed to the image of his Son.' The primary purpose of predestination is not merely to determine who enters heaven but to shape believers into Christlikeness. Ephesians 1:5 adds that believers are predestinated 'unto the adoption of children' — God chose us to become His sons and daughters. Predestination is about identity and destiny, not merely destination.
Historical Perspectives
Christians have debated predestination for centuries. The Reformed (Calvinist) tradition emphasizes God's unconditional election — God chooses individuals for salvation based solely on His sovereign will. The Arminian tradition emphasizes God's foreknowledge — God predestines based on His knowledge of who will freely choose to believe. Both traditions affirm that salvation is by grace, that God is sovereign, and that human beings are genuinely responsible for their choices.
Comfort, Not Controversy
In the New Testament, predestination is never presented as a problem to debate but as a comfort to embrace. Paul introduces it in Romans 8 to assure struggling believers that nothing can thwart God's plan for them. Ephesians 1 presents it as cause for praise — 'to the praise of the glory of his grace.' Predestination means that salvation does not depend on our faltering faith but on God's unshakable purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does predestination mean humans have no free will?
Christians disagree on how predestination and free will relate. Some hold that God's predestination is compatible with genuine human choice (compatibilism). Others argue that God's sovereignty and human freedom exist in mystery beyond full human comprehension. The Bible affirms both God's sovereignty and human responsibility without fully resolving the tension.
Is predestination the same as fatalism?
No. Fatalism is belief in an impersonal, arbitrary force that determines outcomes regardless of human actions. Predestination is the purposeful plan of a personal, loving God who works all things according to His wise and good will. Predestination involves relationship, purpose, and love — fatalism involves none of these.
Does God predestine some people to hell?
This is one of the most debated questions in theology. 'Double predestination' (God actively choosing some for damnation) is held by some Reformed theologians but rejected by others who teach that God actively elects some to salvation while 'passing over' others, leaving them to the consequences of their own sin. Many traditions reject both forms, teaching that God desires all to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4).
What is the Greek word for "Predestination" in the Bible?
προορίζω (Proorizō), pronounced "pro-or-ID-zoh." It means god's sovereign determination of events and destinies before they occur. It is the word behind "Predestination" in the New Testament, for example in Romans 8:29-30.
Related Words
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Predestination (προορίζω (Proorizō))
God's sovereign determination of events and destinies before they occur
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Elect (ἐκλεκτός (eklektos))
Chosen by God — selected for a special purpose and relationship.
Strong's G1588 — Elect
ἐκλεκτός (eklektos) • Chosen by God — selected for a special purpose and relationship.
Biblical Meaning of Snakes in a Dream (KJV)
Deception, hidden enemies, and spiritual attack.
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