[Greek] προγράφω (prographō), [Latin] praescribere: to write before, to write previously, to announce, to prescribe, to compose in the past, to describe vividly, to publish, to publicly make notice, to give written notice; Rom.15:4, Gal. 3:1, Eph.3:3, Jud. 4
A 1772 Oxford edition of Tertullian’s De Praescriptiones Haereticorum (Prescription Against Heretics).
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to write beforehand, to give written notice, to proscribe, to register for condemnation, to write on a list, to set forth as a public notice, to appoint, to proclaim, and to make something public. This term can also refer to things previously written. Such public documents (and statements) include promulgations, epistles, notices, edicts, lists, and placards. Such statements of events and edicts can take on a sense of a proclamation. Sometimes vivid descriptions illustrate the importance of such events. The Greco-Roman judicial system often placed criminals and the accused on public registers.
Polybius’ Histories 11.11 states “My reason for prefixing a table of contents to each book, rather than a preface, is because I find prefaces viewed, though from many adequate reasons, with contempt and neglect.” Aristophanes’ Birds 450 states “Do not fail to read the decrees of dismissal we have posted.” Plutarch’s Brutus 27 states “The Publius Silicius upon seeing the accused Brutus, was seen to burst into tears, was for this reason put on the list of the proscribed. Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus were sentenced to death by proscription.” Thucydides The Peloponnesian War 1.23 states “Old stories of occurrences handed down by tradition, but scantily confirmed by experience, suddenly ceased to be incredible.” Plutus’ Aemilius Paulus states “He also declared Marcus Aemilius Lepidus first senator.”
Old Testament: This term can mean to publicly state, to put on a list, to make a decree, and to set aside a ransom. Dan.3:3 refers to King Nebuchadnezzar summoning the provisional officials to the dedication of the statue he had set up. 1Macc.10:36 refers to thirty thousand Jews being forced to enlist in the king’s army. The Jewish Hellenistic philosopher Josephus makes reference to the king publicly promulgating an edict (decree), the king threatening to punish those who oppose his decree, and Josephus himself pleading to provide a ransom to secure the freedom of the Jews from conscription.
New Testament: This term means to publicly portray, to write beforehand, to show clearly, and to set aside (appoint) for condemnation. Like a public proclamation, Paul states that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Paul’s missionary activity is comparable to an edict. The mystery of God’s salvation for the Gentiles and Jews was already made known to Paul, who had written about this previously. Jude 4 makes reference to false teachers who pervert God’s grace and deny Jesus Christ. The false teachers will receive their divine appointment of condemnation and judgment.
Scripture:
“O Stupid, Galatians! Who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?” Gal.3:3
Paul, in his concern for the Galatians, makes a strong proclamation that Jesus Christ is crucified.
“Namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly earlier.” Eph.3:3
Paul restates the mystery of God’s salvation which was made known to him earlier. This mystery pertains to Gentiles and Jews can receive salvation.
“For there have been some intruders, who long ago were designated for this condemnation, godless persons, who pervert the grace of our God into licentiousness and who deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” Jud. 4
These false teachers will receive their divine appointment of condemnation and judgment.
Conclusion:
Program, proscribe, prescribe, prescription
In the Greco-Roman era, it was interesting to discover the various meanings of this term. This term was quite often used by governmental authorities in issuing edicts and promulgations. The praescriptio was a legal term in which a landholder held ownership in provincial lands. This gave the landholder the right to possess these lands. Criminals and the accused were often proscribed on public lists for punishment (death).
In the Old Testament culture, the corrupt kings (both Hebrew and foreign) issued edicts on the people. Opposition to these edicts often resulted in persecution or death
In the New Testament culture, Paul’s ministry was a public proclamation of Christ crucified. Jude 4 makes mention of the false teachers who will be divinely prescribed for condemnation and judgment.
The first medical use of a prescription occurred in the 1570’s. This is essentially a medical instruction by a doctor. Tertullian wrote a praescriptio (literary work) against the heretics. It is interesting to note that the Greek apologetikos originally meant a systemic logical defense of a belief system. Tertullian apologized (defended) Christianity against the heretics. St. Justin Martyr is perhaps the most famous Christian (Catholic) apologist in history.
Now, to apologize means to say, “I’m sorry.” I am sorry, although this praescripto has not expired, my quill has run dry.