Provision (4307) (pronoia from pronoeo = observe in advance, to know or perceive ahead or beforehand, to foresee derived from pro = before + noeo = to perceive with the mind, know, comprehend) literally means "a thought one has beforehand", a planning ahead, a "premeditation". Pronoia conveys the basic idea of planning something out ahead of time, giving it forethought or carrying out thoughtful planning to meet a need. The idea is to think about something ahead of time, with the implication that one can then respond appropriately (eg think about committing a sin and even being so deceived that you think that you can get away with it!) Don’t make any plans that open the door for sin’s entry. Don't say I'll have some pornography laying around my house to prove I can withstand the temptation. Note the ways you subtly make provision for these hindrances (Romans 13:14): the computer games, the hidden alcohol or candy, the television, the videos, the stop on the way home, the magazines, the novels. There must be no provision for either gross appetites or refined carnal attitudes; all must be denied if we would behave properly as in the day! Martin Luther said You can't keep a bird from flying over your head, but you can keep it from building a nest in your hair. And so we may need to look away (from something, someone that might stimulate lust), discard a book, change a TV channel, move the computer into the family room, etc in order to keep a "foul fowl", so to speak, from nesting in our hair. We "must, as it were, go on tiptoe, and be exercised with extreme caution, so as not to waken in us those slumbering dogs of lust which, if aroused, will tear our spiritual life to pieces." Luke records the only other NT use of pronoia in Acts... Acts 24:2 (ESV) And when he (Paul) had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: "Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation Pronoia is a name for the Delphic Athene (Latin Athena = Greek goddess of wisdom) as the goddess of clever forethought! The English word "provision" is from the Latin word providere which means literally to "see ahead". Provision then refers to "measures taken beforehand, either for security, defense or attack, or for the supply of wants...[provision is the] act of making previous preparation"). Provision refers to a measure taken beforehand to meet a need (or a greed, specifically a lust to gratify the old fallen flesh!). NIDNTT has the following note on this word group... The verb pronoeo (from pro and noeo, observe, notice) means initially to observe in advance, notice beforehand, foresee (e.g. Hom. Il. 18, 526, of a deception). But in most cases it has the meaning of to care, to see to it that, make provision for, attend to (e.g. Xen. Cyr. 8, 1, 1, caring for children). With the noun pronoia, attested since Aeschylus (Ag. 648), much as with the verb, the temporal meaning of foresight or foreknowledge is rare. The predominant meaning is foresight in the sense of forethought, intention, care, providence... The noun pronoia (Ro 13:14) also means concern, solicitude, provision. In this case it refers to the body (flesh). In Acts 24:3 (Ed note: the only other NT use of pronoia) the advocate Tertullus praises the provisions of Felix. (Brown, Colin, Editor. New International Dictionary of NT Theology. 1986. Zondervan) Most sinful behavior results from wrong ideas and lustful desires we allow to linger in our minds (Jas 1:14, 15). The longer one allows these wrong ideas and lustful desires to linger, the more forethought (provision) we are making for the insidious, deceptive fallen flesh nature to bring them into fruition! Don't fill your mind with plans for your sin. Instead, fill your mind with " [Philippians 4:8-note] thoughts" (see note), thoughts of Christ in Whom are hidden all the riches of wisdom and knowledge (see Col 2:3-note) and in Whom we are complete (see Colossians 2:10-note)... possessing all His precious and magnificent promises. Ron Mattoon... Don't stare, study, or flirt with temptation, for you will be mesmerized by its lure. One three-year old's explanation for being in the kitchen on top of a chair, eating cookies: "I just climbed up to smell them, and my tooth got caught." Beloved, we fall into sin many times because we position ourselves in the path of temptation just like this little boy. Do not put yourself in a deliberate position where you know you are going to be tempted. Sometimes this is not possible, but in many cases we have a choice about whom we are spending time, where we are going, and what we are doing. Guard what God has done for you by avoiding temptation. A little boy scraped a chair across the kitchen floor and climbed on it to reach the cookie jar on the top shelf. His mother heard the noise and called out, "What are you doing in there son?" With his hand in the cookie jar, the boy replied, "I'm fighting temptation!" Beloved, we tend to lose our battles with temptation because our hands are in the cookie jar. We lose because we make provisions for the flesh. We make provisions for failure and defeat. If you make it easy for yourself to fall into sin, you most likely will. If you look down the barrel of Satan's double-barrel shotgun, he is going to pull the trigger. Toying with temptation is not an act of dedication to Christ or of a person who has died to self. Godly Christians desire to stay as far away as possible from sinful living. They do not get as close as they can to Satan's trap and play with it. If you play with fire, sooner or later you are going to get burned. We are to be alert to those things that will enter and corrupt our thought life and stir up lustful desires or hate within us. We are to be careful about what we view, what we hear, what we touch and feel. It is vital that we not willingly put ourselves into situations that will tempt us to do wrong or have the wrong kinds of thoughts. Many Christians behave like the Red Barron of WWI. According to one report, the end of Germany's famous "Red Baron," Manfred von Richthofen, came because he pursued an Allied airplane "too long, too far, and too low into enemy territory." On April 21, 1918, von Richthofen, the celebrated World War I pilot, who was responsible for shooting down 80 enemy aircraft, began chasing a British plane that was trying to escape the battle. As the Red Baron pursued his quarry behind Allied lines, gunfire from either machine-gun nests on the ground or another British pilot who had come to help, killed von Richthofen. Some Christians make the same mistake as the Red Barron. They go out of bounds when it comes to temptation and they feel they are invincible and that nothing can hurt them. This is right where Satan wants them. Is this the place where Satan has you? Dying to self involves control of yourself, especially when it comes to lustful living. In our own power, self control is extremely difficult. Perhaps this is why Solomon equated such a person, who had self-control, as a mighty man or powerful conqueror. The prayer of our life should be, "Lord, lead me not into temptation or testing that will cause me to fall." We are not to make provision for sinful failure. This is what many do and they wonder why they can't get victory in their lives. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ. John Calvin As long as we carry about us our flesh, we cannot cast away every care for it; for though our conversation is in heaven, we yet sojourn on earth. The things then which belong to the body must be taken care of, but not otherwise than as they are helps to us in our pilgrimage, and not that they may make us to forget our country. Even heathens have said, that a few things suffice nature, but that the appetites of men are insatiable. Every one then who wishes to satisfy the desires of the flesh, must necessarily not only fall into, but be immerged in a vast and deep gulf. Paul, setting a bridle on our desires, reminds us, that the cause of all intemperance is, that no one is content with a moderate or lawful use of things: he has therefore laid down this rule, — that we are to provide for the wants of our flesh, but not to indulge its lusts. It is in this way that we shall use this world without abusing it. A W Pink writes... but not only must the new nature be fed. It is equally necessary for our spiritual well-being, that the old nature should be starved. This is what the Apostle had in mind when he said, "Make no provision for the flesh—to fulfill the lusts thereof" (Ro 13:14). To starve the old nature—to make not provision for the flesh—means that we abstain from everything that would stimulate our carnality—that we avoid, as we would a plague—all that is calculated to prove injurious to our spiritual welfare. Not only must we deny ourselves the "pleasures of sin," shun such things as the saloon, theater, dance, card table, etc.—but we must separate ourselves from worldly companions, cease to read worldly literature, abstain from everything upon which we cannot ask God's blessing. Our affections are to be set upon things above—and not upon things on the earth (Col 3:2-note). Does this seem a high standard and sound impractical? Holiness in all things is that at which we are to aim—and failure so to do explains the leanness of so many Christians. Let the young believer realize that whatever does not help his spiritual life—hinders it. (A Fourfold Salvation) Thomas Watson The wicked are caterers for their lusts. (Making provision for our flesh) is a metaphor taken from such as make provision for a family—to feed them. The Greek word here signifies a projecting and planning in the mind, how to bring a thing about. This is to make provision for the flesh—when one studies to satisfy the flesh and provide fuel for lust. Thus Amnon made provision for the flesh (2Sa 13:5). He pretends himself to be sick, and his sister, Tamar, must be his nurse. She must cook and serve his food to him. By which means he defiled her virginity. It is sad when men's concern is not to be holy—but to satisfy lust. (Beatitudes) Thomas Brooks When men ordinarily, habitually, commonly are very careful, studious, and laborious to make provision for sin, then sin reigns: Ro 13:14, "Make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof;" or, as the Greek has it, "Make no projects for the flesh," or "cater not for the flesh." When a man's head and heart is full of projects how to gratify this lust, and how to satisfy that lust, and how to fulfill the other lust, then sin reigns, then it is in its throne. James 4:3, "You ask and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may consume it upon your lusts." [David, in an hour of temptation, once made provision for his lusts, 2Sa 11:14, 15. But this was not his course, his trade, etc.] Both the law of God and nature requires me to make provision of shelter, food, clothing, and health for my body, and for theirs who are under my charge. But it may cost me my life, my estate, yes, my very soul, to make provision for my lusts. Such as ask amiss shall be sure to ask and miss. He who would make God a servant to his lusts, may ask long enough before God will answer. Of all affronts there is none to this—of making God a servant to our lusts. And where this frame of spirit is, there sin is in dominion, Hos 2:8. He who abuses mercies to serve his lusts, fights against God with his own weapons, as David did against Goliath, and as Ben-hadad did against Ahab, with that very life that he had newly given him. (A Cabinet of Choice Jewels) The Amplified Version says "make no provision for [indulging] the flesh [put a stop to thinking about the evil cravings of your physical nature] to [gratify its] desires (lusts)" Newell commenting on making no provision for the flesh The word "provision" here is literally "forethought." It denotes the attitude of mind we used to have toward the flesh, as secretly expecting to gratify it, if not immediately, yet at some time. It is the opposite of the spirit of Galatians 5:24-note; it is Saul sparing Agag. (Romans 13) Paul's command to make no provision is another reason Scripture memorization is so valuable...His Word hidden in our hearts will keep young men (and old men and women) from sin (Ps 119:9-, Ps 119:10-, Ps 119:11-). One of the most effective ways for a Christian to oppose the desires of the FLESH ("flesh" is used several different ways in Scripture - see word study.) is NOT to starve his body to bring it into subjection (asceticism cf see Colossians 2:23-note) but to starve the flesh making “no provision”. The surest way to fall into a sin is to allow oneself to be in situations where there temptation rears its seductive head (James 1:14-note; James 1:15-note) On the other hand, the safest way to avoid a sin is to avoid situations that are likely to pose temptations to it. Arthur Pink... The honest soul will at once ask, If I really hate sin—then why do I so often yield to it? If I have been delivered from the love of sin, why can Satan's temptations still appeal to me? The answer is, because the "flesh" is still left in you, and it remains unholy to the end of its history. Our responsibility is to "make no provision for the flesh" (Ro 13:14), to "mortify" its members (Col 3:5-note), to unsparingly judge it, root and branch (1Co 11:31, 32), to confess its evil works (1John 1:9). The fact that the believer resists sin, prays and strives against it, mourns and groans over it, loathes himself for it—are so many proofs that he no longer loves it as he once did. (Experimental Preaching) I asked the Lord that I might grow, In faith and love and every grace, Might more of His salvation know, And seek more earnestly His face. It was He who taught me thus to pray, And He I trust has answered prayer. But it has been in such a way, As almost drove me to despair! I hoped that in some favored hour, At once He'd answer my request. And by His love's constraining power, Subdue my sins and give me rest! Instead of this, He made me feel, The hidden evils of my heart. And let the angry powers of hell, Assault my soul in every part! Yes, more with His own hand, He seemed, Intent to aggravate my woe. Crossed all the fair designs I schemed, Blasted my gourds, and laid me low! "Lord, why is this?" I trembling cried. Will You pursue Your worm to death?" "This is the way" the Lord replied, "I answer prayer for grace and strength." "These inward trials I employ, From self, and pride, to set you free; And break your schemes of earthly joy, That you may find your all in Me!" --John Newton Dr Charles Ryrie (The Ryrie Study Bible: 1995. Moody) writes that... "an illustration of obedience to this command (to make no provision for the flesh) is the book burning in Acts 19:19." And many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of all; and they counted up the price of them and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. (The value of these books in today's dollar would be more than a million dollars which underscores the prevalence of pagan occultism in Ephesus and also to the wonderful power of the gospel light to overcome the darkness) Don't be like the man who was delivered from his smoking habit and took all of his smoking paraphernalia (pipes, tobacco, etc) and buried it in his back yard and then put a stone over the spot so that he would know where to dig in case he couldn't hold out. He was making provision for his old flesh nature to gratify the desires of that nature! And I'll bet he didn't hold out. DO NOT DISREGARD THE POWER OF OUR OLD SIN NATURE We fail to grasp the latent power inherent in our old nature (Ro 6:12-note, Ro 7:5-note). We may even think our old nature has been redeemed. Perish that thought. It is still the old nature (Gal 5:16-note, Gal 5:17-note). We have died to it's power but it's power is still it's power and we give it an inch it will take a yard. Do not be deceived beloved brethren. FOR THE FLESH IN REGARD TO ITS LUSTS: kai tes sarkos pronoian me poieisthe (PAM) eis epithumias: (Gal 5:17-note; Ep 2:3-note) For the flesh - Literally the Greek reads "and for the flesh take no forethought -- for desires." In regard to (1519) (eis) means into or in the direction of your lusts. The idea is -- Don't be planning ahead in the direction of your evil desires. Don't preoccupy yourselves with a view to satisfying lusts. David understood that "transgression speaks to the ungodly within his heart; there is no fear of God before his eyes…He plans wickedness upon his bed; he sets himself on a path that is not good; he does not despise evil" (Ps 36:1, 4). If you are really honest with yourself, you know that to one degree or another, most wickedness which one commits is "pre-meditated" or planned! The ungodly person does not just "accidentally" stumble into sin but "plans to do evil". Solomon recorded that... He who plans to do evil, men will call him a schemer. (Pr 24:8). The devout Puritan preacher Thomas Manton (click for biographical sketch written by J. C. Ryle) wrote, "Every corruption has a voice," meaning that every sort of sin finds a way to bring itself to man's mind and heart. To feel the desire to sin is evidence of the PRESENCE of sin in us (Ro 7:18-note). To fulfill that desire is evidence of the POWER of sin over us. As long as we are in our mortal bodies we will experience the PRESENCE of sin within us. But at NO time does a Christian have to yield to sin's POWER (Ro 6:11-note; Ro 6:12-note, Ro 6:13-note, Ro 6:14-note). Because we have the PROVISION of Christ's own nature, His rich grace & His Holy Spirit within us, we do not have to make PROVISION for the flesh by fulfilling its lusts (see Col 1:27-note, Gal 5:16-note, Gal-note, Ro 7:24-note, Ro 7:25-note, Ro 8:1-note, Ro 8:2-note, Ro 8:13-note; Ro 8:26-note; Ro 8:27-note) Ron Mattoon... Near Watsonville, California, there is a creek that has a strange name: Salsipuedes Creek. Salsi puedes is Spanish for "Get out of it, if you can." The creek is lined with quicksand, and the story is that many years ago, in the early days of California, a Mexican laborer fell into the quicksand. A Spaniard, riding by on a horse, saw him and yelled out to him, "Salsi puedes!" which was not very helpful to the man in distress. The creek has been so named ever since. That is what the flesh is like. We struggle to correct our fleshly tendencies, to get out of the effects of our sinful nature, but without the help of the Lord or a desire for spiritual victory, we cannot do it. Stay away from the creeks of corruption and carnality. "Copy and paste the address below into your web browser in order to go to the original page which will allow you to access live links related to the material on this page - these links include Scriptures (which can be read in context), Scripture pop-ups on mouse over, and a variety of related resources such as Bible dictionary articles, commentaries, sermon notes and theological journal articles related to the topic under discussion." http://www.preceptaustin.org/romans_13_notes_(pt3).htm#Provision