The Greek preposition and adverb emprosthen means 'before' or 'in front of' — indicating spatial position ahead of or in the presence of someone. It can indicate physical position (standing before someone), temporal precedence (before in time), or priority/supremacy.
Emprosthen appears in some of the New Testament's most theologically charged passages. 'Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father' (Matt 10:32) — a promise of eschatological vindication. John 1:15,30 uses it for ontological priority: 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before (emprosthen) me.' Christ is temporally after John but eternally before him. Matthew 5:16 calls disciples to 'let your light shine before (emprosthen) people.' The life of discipleship is lived in the open — before others and ultimately before God at the judgment seat (Matt 25:32; 2 Cor 5:10).