Understanding ἀπόστολος (apostolos) Strong’s G652: The Divine Calling and Authority of God’s Sent Ones

Pronunciation Guide: ah-POS-tol-os

Basic Definition

Strong’s G652: ἀπόστολος (apostolos) refers to a messenger, delegate, or one sent forth with orders. More specifically, it describes someone officially commissioned to carry out a mission or task with the full authority of the sender. In biblical usage, it primarily refers to the twelve disciples chosen by Jesus and others like Paul who were directly commissioned by Him to establish His church and spread His message.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Noun (Masculine)
• Root Word: ἀποστέλλω (apostellō) – to send forth
• Language Origin: Classical Greek
• Primary Usage: Narrative and teaching sections, epistolary literature
• Compound Word: From ἀπό (from) + στέλλω (to send)

ἀπόστολος Morphology:

• ἀπόστολος (nominative singular) – an apostle
• ἀποστόλου (genitive singular) – of an apostle
• ἀποστόλῳ (dative singular) – to/for an apostle
• ἀπόστολον (accusative singular) – an apostle (direct object)
• ἀπόστολοι (nominative plural) – apostles
• ἀποστόλων (genitive plural) – of apostles
• ἀποστόλοις (dative plural) – to/for apostles
• ἀποστόλους (accusative plural) – apostles (direct object)

Origin & History

The term ἀπόστολος originated in classical Greek maritime culture, where it designated a naval expedition or the admiral of a fleet sent out with a specific mission. Herodotus uses the term in his Histories (1.21) to describe an official envoy. In Attic law, it referred to a bill of lading or an invoice for cargo ships.

In the Septuagint (LXX), ἀπόστολος appears only once in 1 Kings 14:6, where it translates the Hebrew שָׁלִיחַ (shaliach), describing someone sent with the authority to represent another. This Hebrew concept of agency, where the one sent carries the full authority of the sender, significantly influenced the New Testament understanding of apostleship.

The early church fathers, particularly Ignatius of Antioch in his letters, further developed the concept of apostolic authority. In his Letter to the Magnesians (6:1), he emphasizes the divine authority vested in apostles as representatives of Messiah Jesus.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• A commissioned representative with full authority to speak and act on behalf of the sender
• An eyewitness of the resurrected Messiah specifically chosen for ministry
• A pioneer missionary establishing new congregations
• A messenger or delegate sent on official business

ἀπόστολος Translation Options:

• Apostle – Best captures the official, commissioned nature of the role
• Sent One – Emphasizes the delegated authority aspect
• Special Messenger – Highlights the communication function
• Ambassador – Conveys the representative authority while being more familiar to modern readers
• Emissary – Emphasizes both the sending and authority aspects

Biblical Usage

The term ἀπόστολος appears 81 times in the New Testament, primarily referring to the twelve disciples chosen by Jesus and to Paul. However, it also has broader usage, including Barnabas (Acts 14:14), James the Lord’s brother (Galatians 1:19), and others recognized as apostles by the early church.

The concept reaches its fullest theological development in Paul’s letters, where he repeatedly defends his apostolic authority while explaining the role’s responsibilities and qualifications. This dual emphasis on authority and service characterizes the biblical understanding of apostleship.

Key verses featuring ἀπόστολος:

• “And when day came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles.” Luke 6:13
• “The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother…” Matthew 10:2
• “Paul, an apostle of Messiah Jesus by the will of God…” Ephesians 1:1
• “Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?” 1 Corinthians 9:1
• “For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” 1 Corinthians 15:9

Cultural Insights

The concept of ἀπόστολος closely parallels the Jewish institution of שָׁלִיחַ (shaliach), a legal representative who carried the full authority of the one who sent him. The rabbinical principle stated, “A man’s shaliach is as himself.” This helps explain why the apostles’ authority was so readily accepted in the early Jewish-Christian communities – they were understood to be speaking and acting with Messiah’s own authority.

In the Roman world, the concept of legatus (imperial legate) provided a similar cultural reference point for Gentile believers. Like an apostle, a legatus carried the full authority of the emperor in their assigned province, illustrating the scope of apostolic authority in the early church.

Theological Significance

The office of apostle represents God’s pattern of working through chosen representatives to accomplish His purposes. Just as יהוה (Yahweh) sent Moses and the prophets in the Old Testament, the Messiah sent His apostles with divine authority to establish His church and preserve His teachings.

The apostolic ministry demonstrates God’s wisdom in building His kingdom through human instruments who depend entirely on His power. The fact that He chose ordinary people like fishermen, and even a former persecutor like Paul, shows that apostolic authority rests not on human qualification but on divine calling and enabling.

This pattern of sending also reflects the very nature of God – the Father sent the Son, who in turn sent the apostles, who were empowered by the sent Spirit. This reveals a God who consistently reaches out to humanity through chosen messengers.

Personal Application

Understanding ἀπόστολος challenges us to recognize and submit to legitimate spiritual authority while remembering that all authority ultimately comes from God. While the office of apostle was unique to the founding of the church, the principle of being “sent ones” applies to all believers who are commissioned to represent Messiah in their spheres of influence.

This should both humble and embolden us – we have no authority of our own, but when we go in obedience to His commission, we carry His authority. This transforms our understanding of ministry from mere human activity to participation in God’s divine mission.

Related Words

• στέλλω (stellō) – to send, arrange, prepare – Primary root word emphasizing the act of sending. See G4724
• πέμπω (pempō) – to send, dispatch – Similar word for sending but without the authority emphasis. See G3992
• ἄγγελος (angelos) – messenger, angel – Another type of sent one, but specifically divine messengers. See G32
• πρεσβύτης (presbytēs) – elder – A related leadership role in the early church. See G4246
• διάκονος (diakonos) – servant, minister – Contrasts with apostolic authority while complementing its service aspect. See G1249

Did you Know?

• The modern title “missionary” derives from the Latin equivalent of ἀπόστολος, though it doesn’t carry the same level of authority as the biblical office.
• The Greek Orthodox Church still uses the term ἀπόστολος in its liturgy when referring to the reading of the Epistle, calling it the “Apostolos.”
• The Dead Sea Scrolls reveal that the Qumran community also had a system of authorized messengers called שליחים (shlichim), showing how widespread this concept was in ancient Jewish culture.

Remember This

ἀπόστολος embodies the divine principle that when God sends someone, He provides both the authority and power necessary to accomplish His mission.