ἐπιλέγω

I call, choose for myself, am named

Definition

The verb ἐπιλέγω means 'to call' or 'to name,' but its middle voice form carries the more specific sense of 'to choose for oneself' or 'to select.' In John 5:2, it is used passively ('is called') to denote the name of a pool in Jerusalem. In Acts 15:40, the middle voice is used to describe Paul choosing Silas for himself as a companion for his missionary journey. This distinction shows the word can refer to a simple designation or a deliberate, personal selection.

Biblical Usage

This word appears only twice in the New Testament. In John 5:2, it is in the passive voice, used in a narrative description of a place name. In Acts 15:40, it is in the middle voice, describing a significant personal choice within the early church's missionary work. The pattern shows its flexibility: a passive use for a common name and a middle voice use for a purposeful, relational selection.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition ἐπί (epi, meaning 'upon' or 'over') and the root verb λέγω (legō, meaning 'to say' or 'to speak'). The compound suggests a sense of calling or naming 'upon' something, which developed into the idea of selection—calling something to oneself. It is related to other 'choosing' words like ἐκλέγομαι (eklegomai), but with a more personal, self-oriented nuance in its middle form.

Semantic Range

The middle voice usage in Acts 15:40 highlights the human agency and personal responsibility in God's work. Paul's choice of Silas was a deliberate, Spirit-led decision in the context of missionary partnership. Understanding this Greek nuance enriches the reading by showing that divine guidance often operates through thoughtful, personal selection by believers, emphasizing cooperation in the spread of the gospel.

In the Greco-Roman world, naming or calling something was not merely a label but could imply authority or ownership. The middle voice choice ('choose for myself') reflects a cultural understanding of personal agency and relational commitment, such as selecting a trusted partner for a significant task, which was vital in the network-based society of the early church.

ἐκλέγομαι (eklegomai, G1586) — to choose or select out, often used for God's sovereign choice (e.g., Ephesians 1:4). αἱρέομαι (haireomai, G138) — to choose or prefer, emphasizing a decision taken (e.g., Philippians 1:22).

Word Details

Scripture References