εἰσκαλέομαι

I call in, invite

Definition

The verb εἰσκαλέομαι means 'to call in' or 'to invite in,' specifically into one's home or private space. It carries the sense of a personal summons into an intimate or domestic setting. In its single New Testament occurrence in Acts 10:23, it describes Peter inviting the Gentile messengers from Cornelius into the house where he was staying. The word emphasizes the act of welcoming someone across a threshold, moving them from outside to inside, which can imply hospitality and the breaking down of social barriers.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Acts 10:23. The context is highly significant: the apostle Peter, staying in Joppa, 'called them in and gave them lodging' after receiving a vision from God. The usage is directly tied to a pivotal moment of inclusion, as Peter invites Gentile messengers into a Jewish space, setting the stage for the gospel's expansion to the Gentiles. The verb highlights the active, intentional gesture of hospitality that precedes a major theological breakthrough.

Etymology

Eἰσκαλέομαι is a compound verb formed from the preposition εἰς (eis), meaning 'into' or 'in,' and the middle/passive form of the verb καλέω (kaleō), meaning 'to call.' Literally, it means 'to call into.' It shares its root with common New Testament words like καλέω (G2564, to call/invite) and ἐκκλησία (G1577, assembly/church), but the εἰς prefix specifies the direction of the calling—inward.

Semantic Range

Though used only once, εἰσκαλέομαι is theologically rich in its context. In Acts 10:23, Peter's act of 'calling in' the Gentile messengers physically enacts the spiritual truth revealed in his vision: that God shows no partiality and cleanses what was once considered 'unclean' (Acts 10:34-35). This single act of hospitality becomes a critical step in fulfilling the Great Commission (Acts 1:8), demonstrating that the gospel invitation crosses ethnic and religious boundaries. Understanding this Greek term highlights the intentional, barrier-breaking nature of divine invitation.

In the ancient Mediterranean world, hospitality (φιλοξενία) was a sacred duty, but it was also governed by strict social and ethnic boundaries. Inviting someone into your home implied acceptance, fellowship, and a degree of social equality. For a devout Jew like Peter to invite uncircumcised Gentiles into a house where he was a guest was a culturally transgressive act, challenging purity norms. The word captures not just a simple invitation but a culturally significant gesture of crossing a social threshold.

καλέω (kaleō, G2564) — A broader term for 'to call' or 'invite,' without the specific directional sense of 'into.' παρακαλέω (parakaleō, G3870) — Often means 'to exhort, comfort, or encourage,' with a focus on urging someone alongside. προσκαλέομαι (proskaleomai, G4341) — Means 'to call to oneself' or 'summon,' but not necessarily into a building or private space.

Word Details

Scripture References