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Unveiling the Word

Understanding Greek words in Biblical studies is crucial for grasping the depth and nuance of the New Testament text. One such word, μετακαλέω (metakaleō), appears for the first time in Acts 7:14. This term is significant as it relates to the idea of calling or summoning someone, often implying a sense of urgency or importance. By exploring metakaleō, we gain insight into the social and relational dynamics of the early Christian community, as well as the broader cultural context of communication and invitation in ancient Greek society. This word also sheds light on how the concept of calling was understood in both the literal and metaphorical senses, enriching our interpretation of the scriptures.

Necessary Information

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Greek Word: μετακαλέω (metakaleō) [meh-tah-KAH-leh-oh]

Etymology: The word μετακαλέω is formed from the prefix μετα- (meta-), which can indicate change or movement, and the verb καλέω (kaleō), meaning “to call” or “to summon.” The combination suggests an intensified form of calling, often with a sense of urgency or a shift in location or status.

Part of Speech: Verb. As a verb, metakaleō is used to describe an action, specifically the act of calling or summoning someone. It can be used in various grammatical constructions to indicate different tenses, voices, and moods, depending on the context.

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Defining Meanings

1. To Call or Summon: The primary meaning of metakaleō is to call or summon someone, often implying a personal invitation or a command to come to a specific place or position.
2. To Invite: The word can also mean to invite someone, indicating a request for someone’s presence, either physically or metaphorically.
3. To Transfer: In certain contexts, metakaleō can suggest a transfer or movement, such as summoning someone from one place or situation to another, indicating a change in status or role.

Exploring Similar Words

1. καλέω (kaleō) [kah-LEH-oh]: Meaning “to call” or “to name,” this verb is the root of metakaleō and has a broad range of applications, including naming, inviting, or summoning in various contexts.
2. προσκαλέω (proskaleō) [pros-kah-LEH-oh]: This word means “to call to oneself” and often implies a personal invitation or request, usually with a sense of drawing someone close for a specific purpose.
3. μεταπεμπομαι (metapempomai) [meh-tah-PEM-poh-my]: Meaning “to send for” or “to summon,” this verb emphasizes the action of calling someone from a distance, often used in formal or authoritative contexts.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Tense, Voice, Mood: Metakaleō can appear in different tenses to indicate the time of the action (present, aorist, perfect, etc.), voices to show whether the subject is acting or being acted upon (active, middle, passive), and moods to express the nature of the action (indicative, subjunctive, imperative).

Person and Number: The verb can be conjugated in various persons (first, second, third) and numbers (singular, plural). For example, in the present indicative active form, μετακαλῶ means “I call” or “I summon.”

Aspect: The aspect of metakaleō can be imperfective, suggesting an ongoing action (e.g., “I am calling”), or perfective, indicating a completed action (e.g., “I called”). This helps convey the nature and duration of the action described.

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Studying Lexicon Insights

The term metakaleō is discussed in several major Greek lexicons. BDAG highlights its use in contexts of summoning or calling someone, often with a sense of urgency or importance. Thayer’s lexicon emphasizes its literal meaning of calling or inviting someone to a particular place or role. LSJ notes its usage in classical Greek literature to describe the summoning of individuals, particularly in formal or legal contexts. Vine’s lexicon focuses on its New Testament usage, especially in relation to divine calling or invitation. Strong’s Concordance points out its specific occurrences in the New Testament, linking it to events of significant relational or community impact. Moulton and Milligan discuss its usage in secular Greek papyri, where it often relates to official summons or invitations, while LEH mentions its appearances in the Septuagint, particularly in narratives involving God’s calling of individuals.

This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. Acts 7:14: “Then Joseph sent and called [μετεκαλέσατο] his father Jacob and all his relatives to him, seventy-five people in all.”
2. Acts 10:32: “Send therefore to Joppa and call [μετακαλεῖσθαι] Simon here, whose surname is Peter.”
3. Acts 20:17: “From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called [μετεκαλέσατο] for the elders of the church.”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Noteworthy Summary

The verb metakaleō is used in the New Testament to describe the act of summoning or calling someone, often with a sense of urgency or importance. It appears in contexts ranging from Joseph calling his family to Egypt to the apostles calling for fellow believers. Understanding this term provides insights into the relational dynamics of the early Christian community and the broader cultural practices of summoning and invitation in ancient Greek society. Its usage in classical Greek and the Septuagint shows how the concept of calling was integral to communication and leadership in various contexts.

Did You Know?

1. The word metakaleō was often used in classical Greek for legal summons, indicating its importance in formal and authoritative contexts.
2. In the Septuagint, metakaleō frequently appears in narratives where God calls or summons individuals for a specific purpose or mission.
3. The prefix meta- in metakaleō can imply change or movement, suggesting that the act of calling often involves a transition or shift, whether in physical location or in role and responsibility.