Understanding ἀποστέλλω (apostellō) Strong’s G649: The Divine Commission and Sending Forth that Reveals God’s Sovereign Authority

Pronunciation Guide: ah-po-STEL-lō (ἀποστέλλω)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G649: A powerful verb meaning “to send forth with a commission,” ἀποστέλλω carries the weight of divine authority and purposeful mission. It implies not just the act of sending, but sending with a specific mandate, authority, and purpose. This word emphasizes both the sender’s authority and the commissioned nature of the one being sent.

Etymology and Morphology

• Verb (present active indicative)
• Compound word from ἀπό (away from) + στέλλω (to send)
• Primary usage in narrative and teaching passages
• Frequently used in contexts of divine commissioning
• Common in both Septuagint and New Testament literature

ἀποστέλλω Morphology:

• ἀποστέλλω (present active) – I send forth
• ἀπέστειλα (aorist active) – I sent forth
• ἀπέσταλκα (perfect active) – I have sent forth
• ἀποσταλήσομαι (future passive) – I will be sent forth
• ἀπεστάλην (aorist passive) – I was sent forth

Origin & History

The term ἀποστέλλω has deep roots in classical Greek literature, where it was commonly used in administrative and military contexts. Herodotus frequently employed it in his “Histories” when describing official dispatches of messengers or military forces. In the Septuagint, it gained profound theological significance, often translating the Hebrew שָׁלַח (shalach), particularly in contexts of divine commissioning, such as Moses’ sending to Pharaoh.

The early church fathers, particularly Ignatius of Antioch in his epistles, emphasized the theological weight of ἀποστέλλω, connecting it directly to the divine mission of the Messiah and the apostolic commission. Clement of Rome, in his First Epistle to the Corinthians, uses it extensively when discussing apostolic authority and divine sending.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• To send forth with full authority and backing of the sender
• To commission as an official representative
• To dispatch with a specific mission or purpose
• To send away from one place to another with intent

ἀποστέλλω Translation Options:

• “Commission and send” – emphasizes the authority aspect
• “Send forth” – captures the directional component
• “Dispatch officially” – highlights the formal nature
• “Send out with authority” – combines both commission and movement
• “Send as representative” – emphasizes the delegated authority aspect

Biblical Usage

ἀποστέλλω appears prominently in contexts of divine commissioning throughout Scripture. Its first New Testament appearance in Matthew 2:16 sets a tone of authoritative sending, though in this case with negative connotations as Herod “sends forth” to slay the innocents. However, the word reaches its theological pinnacle in descriptions of God sending forth His Son.

The word carries special weight in the Gospel of John, where it appears frequently in Jesus’ discussions of His relationship with the Father. This usage emphasizes the divine authority behind His mission and the continuity of divine sending from Father to Son to disciples.

Significant appearances include:

• “Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent forth [ἀποστέλλω] and slew all the male children.” Matthew 2:16
• “For God did not send [ἀποστέλλω] the Son into the world to judge the world.” John 3:17
• “As the Father has sent [ἀποστέλλω] Me, I also send you.” John 20:21
• “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth [ἀποστέλλω] His Son.” Galatians 4:4
• “These twelve Jesus sent forth [ἀποστέλλω] and commanded them.” Matthew 10:5

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Near Eastern world, the concept of sending with authority was deeply embedded in the diplomatic and royal systems. Kings would send forth ambassadors who carried the full authority of their throne. These emissaries would speak with the king’s voice and their rejection was considered rejection of the king himself. This cultural framework illuminates why ἀποστέλλω carried such weight in biblical usage, particularly in Jesus’ teachings about His relationship with the Father.

The Jewish concept of shaluach (שליח), a legal agent or emissary, closely parallels the New Testament usage of ἀποστέλλω. In rabbinic law, “a man’s agent is as himself,” meaning the agent carries the full authority of the sender. This principle deeply informed the early Jewish believers’ understanding of Jesus as the Father’s perfect Shaluach and their own apostolic commission.

Theological Significance

The theological richness of ἀποστέλλω reaches its apex in the doctrine of the divine mission of the Messiah. When the New Testament describes God “sending forth” His Son, it communicates not merely movement from heaven to earth but the commissioning of the Son with full divine authority. This sending forth reveals the Father’s heart for humanity and His sovereign plan for redemption.

The chain of sending – from Father to Son, and from Son to disciples – establishes a profound theology of mission and authority. When Jesus uses ἀποστέλλω to commission His disciples, He’s extending the same pattern of divine authority that marked His own mission. This creates a beautiful theological framework for understanding both the authority and responsibility of believers in carrying out God’s mission.

Personal Application

Understanding ἀποστέλλω challenges us to recognize that as believers, we too are “sent ones.” Just as the Father sent the Son with full authority, and the Son sent the apostles, we are commissioned with divine authority for specific purposes in God’s kingdom. This should give us both confidence and humility – confidence in the authority behind our commission, and humility in recognizing we represent something far greater than ourselves.

When facing challenges in our calling, we can draw strength from knowing that being “sent” (ἀποστέλλω) means we go with divine backing and purpose. We’re not merely suggested or invited, but commissioned with authority from the King of Kings.

Related Words

• πέμπω (pempō) – to send, dispatch (more general sending without emphasis on commission) See G3992
• ἐξαποστέλλω (exapostellō) – to send forth, send away (intensified form emphasizing complete sending) See G1821
• ἀπόστολος (apostolos) – apostle, one sent forth with orders (noun derived from ἀποστέλλω) See G652
• προπέμπω (propempō) – to send forward, accompany (focuses on the supportive aspect of sending) See G4311

Did you Know?

• The term ἀποστέλλω gave rise to our English word “apostle,” literally meaning “one who is sent forth.” This connection emphasizes that apostleship isn’t just about going, but about being commissioned with authority.
• In modern Greek, ἀποστέλλω is still used for sending official communications, maintaining its connection to authoritative sending. When Greeks receive an official government document, they often say “μου απέστειλαν” (they sent to me), using this same word.
• The concept of ἀποστέλλω in diplomatic contexts was so strong that in ancient times, harming an apostolos (one who was “sent”) was considered an act of war against the sending authority – a principle that adds weight to Jesus’ warnings about rejection of His apostles.

Remember This

ἀποστέλλω reminds us that in God’s kingdom, being sent means being empowered – we go not on our own authority, but commissioned and equipped by the sovereign God who sends us forth for His purposes.