Bible Dictionaries

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

Aforetime

signifies "once, at some time," John 9:13 (cp. proteron, in John 9:8 ); Ephesians 2:2,11; Colossians 3:7; Titus 3:3; Philemon 1:11; 1 Peter 3:5,20 . In all these the RV translates it "aforetime." The AV varies it with "in time past," "some time," "sometimes," "in the old time."

the comparative of pro, "before, aforetime," as being definitely antecedent to something else, is more emphatic than pote in this respect. See, e.g., John 6:62; 7:50; 9:8; 2 Corinthians 1:13; Galatians 4:13; 1 Timothy 1:13; Hebrews 4:6; 7:27; 10:32; 1 Peter 1:14 . See BEFORE , FIRST , FORMER.