Forgo
The Meaning of Forgo in Scripture
The word "forgo" appears in older English translations of the Bible with a meaning quite different from its modern usage. While today "forgo" (or "forego") typically means to voluntarily give something up, in biblical English it carried the older sense of "to go away from" or "to turn aside." The underlying concept is one of deviation from a right path, missing a mark, or abandoning something of value.
Forgo in the Apocryphal Wisdom Literature
In Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 7:19, the word appears in the instruction, "Forgo not a wise and good wife, for her grace is above gold." Here the meaning is clear: do not turn away from or abandon a virtuous spouse. The Greek word behind this translation is related to the concept of missing the mark or swerving from what is right. The passage reflects the high value that biblical wisdom literature places on a faithful marriage partner, echoing similar sentiments found in Proverbs 31:10, "An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels."
The Greek Root and Its New Testament Connections
The Greek verb underlying "forgo" is related to words meaning "to miss the mark" or "to deviate from the target." This same root appears in several New Testament passages with similar connotations. In 1 Timothy 1:6, Paul warns about those who have "wandered away" from sincere faith into vain discussion. In 1 Timothy 6:21, he cautions against those who, by professing false knowledge, have "swerved from the faith." And in 2 Timothy 2:18, he identifies specific individuals who have "swerved from the truth" by teaching a false doctrine about the resurrection.
The Broader Biblical Theme of Straying
The concept behind "forgo" connects to one of Scripture's most persistent warnings: the danger of departing from God's truth and wisdom. The book of Proverbs repeatedly warns against forsaking wisdom (Proverbs 4:6) and turning aside from the path of understanding (Proverbs 2:13). The prophets likewise condemned Israel for abandoning the Lord and turning to other gods (Jeremiah 2:13). In the New Testament, the letter to the Hebrews urges believers to "pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it" (Hebrews 2:1).
Why Archaic Words Matter for Bible Readers
Encountering words like "forgo" in older translations reminds modern readers that language evolves, and Bible words do not always carry their contemporary meanings. The King James Version and other early English translations used vocabulary that was already shifting in meaning, which is why later revisions often replaced such terms. Understanding the original intent behind archaic words enriches Bible study and prevents misinterpretation.
The Call to Steadfastness
Whether the subject is a wise spouse, sound doctrine, or genuine faith, the biblical message is consistent: do not turn away from what God has provided. The word "forgo" in its biblical sense encapsulates this call to hold fast. Paul summarized the principle in 1 Corinthians 15:58: "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord."
Biblical Context
The word "forgo" appears in Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 7:19 and 8:9 in older English translations. The underlying Greek concept of swerving or missing the mark connects to 1 Timothy 1:6, 1 Timothy 6:21, and 2 Timothy 2:18 in the New Testament. The broader theme of not departing from wisdom and truth runs through Proverbs, the Prophets, and the Epistles.
Theological Significance
The concept of forgoing or turning away from what is good and true addresses the persistent human tendency to abandon God's wisdom for lesser things. It warns that departing from sound faith and doctrine leads to spiritual harm. The word implicitly affirms that God provides good gifts, including wisdom, faithful relationships, and true teaching, which believers must intentionally hold onto rather than carelessly abandon.
Historical Background
The English word "forgo" comes from the Old English "forgan," combining the negative prefix "for-" with "go," literally meaning "to go away from." In Middle English and early Modern English, it retained this sense of turning away or abstaining. The King James translators used it in contexts where the Greek or Hebrew indicated deviation or abandonment. By the 18th and 19th centuries, the word shifted to mean voluntary abstention, losing its older nuance of negligent departure.