Brief Overview of προσκαλέω (Strong’s G4341: proskaleō)

Strong’s G4341: A compound verb combining pros (toward) with kaleō (to call), meaning “to call to oneself, summon, invite.” Used significantly in the Gospels for Jesus calling disciples and in Acts for divine calling, emphasizing authoritative summons and personal invitation.

U- Unveiling the Word

Προσκαλέω represents both authoritative summons and gracious invitation. In the New Testament, it appears in various contexts: Jesus calling disciples, the Holy Spirit’s calling, and apostolic ministry calls. The compound structure emphasizes both the direction (toward) and the personal nature of the calling. Early church fathers used this term to discuss both divine calling to salvation and specific ministry callings. Today, it continues to express both God’s sovereign call and His personal invitation to relationship and service.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: προσκαλέω, proskaleō, pros-ka-LEH-oh
• Pronunciation: Emphasis on ‘LEH’, with ‘pros’ quickly spoken, ‘oh’ unstressed
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• πρός (pros) – prefix meaning “toward”
• καλέω (kaleō) – root verb meaning “to call”
  The combination indicates calling someone toward oneself.

D – Defining Meanings

• To call to oneself
• To summon
• To invite personally

For compound words:
The prefix πρός adds directional force to καλέω, creating the concept of calling someone toward oneself. The combination emphasizes personal invitation.

Translation Options:

• “to summon” – emphasizes authority
• “to call to oneself” – captures the personal aspect
• “to invite near” – reflects the welcoming nature

E – Exploring Similar Words

• καλέω (kaleō, ka-LEH-oh) – to call, without directional emphasis
  See G2564
• προσφωνέω (prosphōneō, pros-fo-NEH-oh) – to call out to
  See G4377
• μετακαλέω (metakaleō, met-a-ka-LEH-oh) – to call from one place to another
  See G3333

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a verb, προσκαλέω shows these morphological features:

• Tense: Present, Aorist, Perfect
• Voice: Middle/Deponent
• Mood: Indicative, Participle, Imperative
• Person: All
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Aspect: Continuous, Punctiliar

The middle voice emphasizes the personal involvement of the caller in the action.

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its use in authoritative summons. Thayer’s notes both official and personal aspects. LSJ provides evidence of its use in formal contexts. Vine’s connects it to divine calling. Strong’s highlights the personal nature of the summons. LEH notes its use in official contexts. Moulton and Milligan cite papyri evidence of both formal and informal usage.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
And he [προσκαλεσάμενος] called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. Matthew 10:1

Additional References:
Mark 3:13
Acts 2:39
Acts 13:2
Acts 16:10

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Προσκαλέω beautifully captures both the authority and intimacy of God’s calling. Jesus continues to call people to Himself, combining sovereign authority with personal invitation. The good news is that God not only commands but lovingly invites us into relationship and service through Christ.

D – Did You Know?

1. First used in the New Testament for Jesus calling His disciples
2. Appears frequently in Acts for divine guidance in mission
3. Used in both official church contexts and personal ministry calls

Strong’s G4341: A compound verb combining pros (toward) with kaleō (to call), meaning “to call to oneself, summon, invite.” Used significantly in the Gospels for Jesus calling disciples and in Acts for divine calling, emphasizing authoritative summons and personal invitation.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: calling, summons, invitation, divine-calling, discipleship, ministry-call, compound-verb, Jesus-disciples, Acts, mission, divine-guidance, personal-invitation, authority, service, vocation​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​