Strong's g1941

Pronunciation Guide: ep-ee-kal-EH-oh

Basic Definition

Key Information

ἐπικαλέω

Transliteration: epikaleō Part of Speech: verb First Appears: Matthew 10:25 Appears: 30 times Morphology Code: V-PAN Morphology Key: Verb – Present Active Infinitive

Strong’s Entry

g1941

Gloss: epikaleomai (ep-ee-kal-eh’-om-ai) v.1. to entitle2. (by implication) to invoke (for aid, worship, testimony, decision, etc.)[middle voice from G1909 and G2564]KJV: appeal (unto), call (on, upon), surname Root(s): G1909, G2564 

Strong’s G1941: ἐπικαλέω (epikaleō) refers to the act of calling upon, invoking, or appealing to someone—particularly God or the Messiah—for help, deliverance, or salvation. It signifies a deliberate, often urgent appeal that acknowledges the authority and power of the one being invoked. In the New Testament, this word carries special theological significance as it represents the believer’s confession of faith in Yeshua (Jesus) as Lord and the pathway to salvation.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Verb
• Root Words: Compound of ἐπί (epi, “upon” or “to”) + καλέω (kaleō, “to call”)
• Language Origin: Koine Greek
• Primary Usage: Narrative sections, epistles, and theological discussions about salvation
• Voice: Typically middle or passive voice in religious contexts, denoting personal involvement

ἐπικαλέω Morphology:

• ἐπικαλέω (present active indicative, 1st person singular) – I call upon
• ἐπικαλοῦμαι (present middle indicative, 1st person singular) – I call upon (for myself)
• ἐπικαλεῖται (present middle indicative, 3rd person singular) – he/she calls upon (for themselves)
• ἐπικαλούμενος (present middle participle, masculine nominative singular) – calling upon
• ἐπεκαλεσάμην (aorist middle indicative, 1st person singular) – I called upon
• ἐπικαλέσῃ (aorist middle subjunctive, 2nd person singular) – you might call upon
• ἐπικαλεσάμενοι (aorist middle participle, masculine nominative plural) – having called upon
• ἐπικληθῆναι (aorist passive infinitive) – to be called upon/named

Origin & History

The compound verb ἐπικαλέω has ancient roots in classical Greek literature, where it originally meant “to call in addition” or “to give a surname.” In works like Herodotus’ “Histories,” the term was used to describe the act of applying a name or title to someone. Over time, the word evolved to encompass the meaning of “appealing to” or “invoking” a higher authority.

In the Septuagint (LXX), ἐπικαλέω gained significant theological importance, appearing frequently in contexts where individuals called upon יהוה (Yahweh) in prayer or distress. The Psalmist regularly uses this term to describe his appeals to God, as in Psalm 17:6 (LXX 16:6): “I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God.” This established a pattern of faithful believers invoking God’s name with an expectation of divine response—a concept that carried forward into New Testament theology where calling upon the name of the Lord became associated with salvation through the Messiah.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• To invoke or call upon – Specifically in prayer or for help, acknowledging the authority of the one being called
• To appeal to a higher authority – Particularly in legal contexts, such as Paul’s appeal to Caesar
• To surname or name additionally – To give or bear an additional name or title
• To invoke in witness – To call upon someone as testimony or witness to an action or agreement
• To claim for oneself – To appropriate someone’s name, authority, or protection

ἐπικαλέω Translation Options:

• “To call upon” – Most common translation, particularly appropriate in contexts of prayer or seeking divine assistance
• “To appeal to” – Preferred when used in legal contexts like Paul’s appeal to Caesar’s judgment
• “To invoke” – Particularly appropriate in formal religious contexts where someone solemnly calls on God
• “To surname” – Best used when the context involves giving additional names or titles to someone
• “To claim” – Suitable when someone is declaring adherence to or identification with another person or authority

Biblical Usage

ἐπικαλέω appears 32 times throughout the New Testament, with particularly significant clusters in Acts and Romans. Its first appearance in Matthew 10:3 introduces a relatively mundane use—indicating Simon’s surname as “the Canaanite.” However, the theological weight of the term emerges powerfully in contexts relating to salvation, especially in Romans and Acts, where “calling upon the name of the Lord” becomes a defining characteristic of believers.

In the book of Acts, the concept takes on salvific importance as early believers are described as “those who call upon the name of Yeshua.” The apostle Peter draws from the prophet Joel to emphasize that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21), establishing this act of invocation as central to the believer’s relationship with God. Similarly, Paul’s dramatic encounter with Ananias includes the instruction to “rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on His name” (Acts 22:16), connecting the act of ἐπικαλέω with conversion and cleansing from sin.

• “[Simon, who is] called [ἐπικαλούμενος] the Canaanite.” Matthew 10:3
• “And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon [ἐπικαλέσηται] the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Acts 2:21
• “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on [ἐπικαλεσάμενος] His name.” Acts 22:16
• “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing His riches on all who call on [ἐπικαλουμένους] Him.” Romans 10:12
• “For ‘everyone who calls on [ἐπικαλέσηται] the name of the Lord will be saved.'” Romans 10:13
• “To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Messiah Yeshua, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon [ἐπικαλουμένοις] the name of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, both their Lord and ours.” 1 Corinthians 1:2
• “Flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on [ἐπικαλουμένων] the Lord from a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 2:22

Cultural Insights

In ancient Jewish culture, the act of “calling upon the name of יהוה (Yahweh)” held profound spiritual significance. Dating back to Genesis 4:26, where men “began to call upon the name of יהוה,” this practice represented not merely casual prayer but a formal, public acknowledgment of one’s allegiance to and dependence upon the God of Israel. The Hebrew concept behind this Greek term is קָרָא בְשֵׁם (qara b’shem), which denotes a proclamation of faith and trust in God’s character and covenant promises.

For early Jewish believers, transferring this reverent invocation from יהוה to Yeshua represented a revolutionary theological statement. To “call upon the name of the Lord Yeshua” was to place Him in the position previously reserved exclusively for יהוה Himself—a clear affirmation of Yeshua’s divine identity. This explains why early believers were specifically identified as “those who call upon the name of Yeshua the Messiah” (1 Corinthians 1:2), marking them as distinct from both traditional Judaism and pagan religions. The phrase became almost a technical term for Christians, similar to modern denominational identifiers, but with the profound implication that these believers were placing their trust in Yeshua as the divine Lord worthy of the same invocation previously given to יהוה alone.

Theological Significance

The theological implications of ἐπικαλέω are profound, particularly in Pauline theology where “calling upon the name of the Lord” becomes a defining characteristic of true faith. In Romans 10:9-13, Paul establishes a direct connection between confession, belief, and salvation, culminating in the declaration that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” This invocation represents more than a mere utterance of words; it embodies a wholehearted surrender to and dependence upon the Messiah as Lord and Savior.

What makes this concept particularly significant is how it bridges Old and New Testament understandings of salvation. When Paul quotes Joel 2:32 in Romans 10:13, he deliberately applies to Yeshua a passage originally referring to יהוה. This represents one of the earliest and most profound examples of the high Christology developing in the apostolic community—a recognition that Yeshua shares in the divine identity in such a way that calling upon Him accomplishes what the Hebrew Scriptures promised would happen when one calls upon יהוה. This theological move underscores the Messianic Jewish understanding that Yeshua is the perfect embodiment of יהוה’s saving presence among His people.

Furthermore, the concept of ἐπικαλέω reveals the beautiful balance between divine sovereignty and human responsibility in salvation. God initiates the relationship through His grace and Spirit, yet humans respond by consciously and deliberately “calling upon” Him—acknowledging their need and His sufficiency. This paradox remains at the heart of biblical soteriology, where God’s omnipotent saving work mysteriously incorporates, rather than overrides, authentic human agency and response.

Personal Application

Understanding ἐπικαλέω invites us to examine the nature of our own prayers and relationship with God. Are we merely reciting religious formulas, or are we genuinely “calling upon” the Lord—bringing our true selves before Him in authentic dependence and trust? The biblical concept challenges us to move beyond superficial religious practice to heart-level engagement with the living God who responds to those who call upon Him in faith.

In times of crisis or spiritual warfare, this word reminds us of our powerful spiritual birthright as believers. Just as the Psalmist confidently declared, “In my distress I called upon the Lord” (Psalm 18:6), we too can invoke the name of Yeshua with the absolute assurance that He hears and responds to our cries. This isn’t magical thinking but covenant confidence—the certainty that the God who established relationship with us through His Son remains attentive to our invocation of His name. When we genuinely call upon Him from a pure heart, we activate our covenant connection with the God for whom all things are indeed possible.

Related Words

• προσκαλέω (proskaleō) [pros-kal-EH-oh] – To call to oneself, summon, or invite; suggests drawing someone near for a specific purpose rather than appealing to them for help. Unlike ἐπικαλέω, this term focuses on initiating proximity rather than seeking assistance. See G4341
• παρακαλέω (parakaleō) [par-ak-al-EH-oh] – To call alongside, exhort, comfort, or encourage; shares the root καλέω but emphasizes supportive presence rather than invocation or appeal. This term often describes the comforting and strengthening ministry of both human leaders and the Holy Spirit. See G3870
• ἀνακαλέω (anakaleō) [an-ak-al-EH-oh] – To call up or call again; used for summoning someone who has been away or recalling something to memory. Unlike ἐπικαλέω, this term lacks the strong element of dependence or appealing for help. See G343
• ἐπονομάζω (eponomazō) [ep-on-om-AD-zo] – To name additionally or give a surname; shares the semantic field of naming with one aspect of ἐπικαλέω but focuses exclusively on the naming function without the invocation element. See G2028
• ἐντυγχάνω (entynchanō) [en-ting-KHAN-o] – To intercede, make petition, or appeal on behalf of someone else; conceptually related to ἐπικαλέω but focused on mediation rather than direct invocation. This term is especially important in understanding the intercessory ministry of both Yeshua and the Holy Spirit. See G1793

Did you Know?

• Did you know that the famous Hippocratic Oath, taken by physicians in the ancient Greek world, began with the words “I swear by Apollo the Physician… invoking [ἐπικαλούμενος] all the gods and goddesses to be my witnesses”? This demonstrates how ἐπικαλέω was used in solemn religious contexts where divine witnesses were called upon to validate human promises—a practice that helps us understand the weight and significance of early Christians “calling upon” the name of Yeshua as Lord.
• Did you know that in the early church, the phrase “those who call upon the name of the Lord” became almost a technical term for identifying believers in Yeshua? This identification was so central that when Ananias hesitated to visit Saul (Paul) after his Damascus Road experience, the Lord specifically told him that Saul had authority to arrest “all who call on Your name” (Acts 9:14). The very act of ἐπικαλέω in reference to Yeshua marked someone as belonging to the new covenant community.
• Did you know that the modern Jewish prayer practice known as “kavvanah” (כַּוָּנָה) shares conceptual connections with the biblical notion of ἐπικαλέω? Kavvanah refers to the intentionality and directed consciousness that should accompany prayer—not merely reciting words but genuinely directing one’s heart toward God. This parallels the New Testament emphasis that calling upon the Lord must be done “from a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22) to be authentic and effective.

Remember This

ἐπικαλέω represents the beautiful paradox at the heart of faith—the awesome Creator and Sovereign Lord of all makes Himself accessible to those who, with sincere hearts, simply call upon His name.