ἀπόστολος

an apostle, a messenger, an envoy, a delegate

Definition

The Greek word ἀπόστολος primarily means 'one who is sent,' carrying the sense of an authorized messenger or envoy. In the New Testament, it most famously refers to the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus (Matthew 10:2, Luke 6:13), who were eyewitnesses of his ministry and resurrection and were commissioned to preach the gospel. The term also applies more broadly to other commissioned messengers, such as Paul (Romans 1:1) and Barnabas (Acts 14:14), and can even refer to human messengers sent by churches, as in 2 Corinthians 8:23 and Philippians 2:25. In a unique instance, Hebrews 3:1 calls Jesus himself the 'apostle,' highlighting his role as the supreme one sent from God.

Biblical Usage

The word is used 80 times, predominantly in the writings of Luke (Gospel and Acts) and the Pauline epistles. It consistently denotes a person with a special commissioning and authority. In the Gospels and Acts, it specifically identifies the Twelve (e.g., Mark 6:30, Luke 9:10) and later Paul. Paul's letters use the term to defend his own apostolic authority (Galatians 1:1) and to discuss the role of apostles in the early church (1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 4:11). The general sense of 'messenger' appears less frequently, as in John 13:16.

Etymology

Derived from the verb ἀποστέλλω (apostellō, G649), meaning 'to send away or forth.' It is a compound of ἀπό (apo, 'from') and στέλλω (stellō, 'to send'). Thus, an ἀπόστολος is fundamentally 'one sent forth' on a mission, with an emphasis on being dispatched from a sender with a specific purpose.

Semantic Range

This word is central to the doctrine of apostolic authority and the foundation of the church. The apostles, as unique eyewitnesses commissioned by Christ, were foundational to the transmission of the gospel and the formation of the New Testament canon (Ephesians 2:20). Understanding the term clarifies the unique role of the original apostles versus later church messengers and enriches the reading of passages about church leadership, spiritual gifts, and the authority of Scripture.

In the Greco-Roman world, an 'apostolos' could refer to an envoy, ambassador, or naval expedition dispatched with the authority of the sender. The New Testament invests this common concept with unique theological weight, tying the apostle's authority directly to the commissioning by Jesus Christ. This differed from a mere philosopher or teacher, as apostles carried the delegated authority of the one who sent them.

ἄγγελος (angelos, G32) — a general word for 'messenger,' often used for heavenly beings. εὐαγγελιστής (euangelistēs, G2099) — a 'proclaimer of good news,' focused on preaching rather than the foundational, commissioning authority of an apostle. πρεσβεύω (presbeuō, G4243) — to 'act as an ambassador,' emphasizing representation but lacking the specific sending nuance of apostolos.

Word Details

Scripture References