The Greek word ekpémpō, represented by G1599, means to despatch and is used to describe the act to send away or send forth. It appears 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible. This term specifically refers to the deliberate act of sending someone out for a particular purpose or destination.
In the book of Acts, G1599 is used to describe key moments in the apostolic ministry. The brethren in Berea sent away Paul and Silas by night, indicating a planned and purposeful departure Acts 17:10. Similarly, after being commissioned by the Holy Ghost, they were sent forth to Seleucia to continue their work Acts 13:4. Both occurrences involve the active dispatching of individuals for the sake of the ministry.
Several related words clarify the context surrounding the act of being sent away.
- G2112 euthéōs (immediately): This adverb, meaning "at once or soon," highlights the urgency of the action. In Acts 17:10, the brethren immediately sent the apostles away.
- G2718 katérchomai (departed): Meaning "to come (or go) down," this word describes the action that follows being sent forth. After being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, the apostles departed to Seleucia Acts 13:4.
- G80 adelphós (brother): This term, meaning brother, identifies who performs the action of sending. In Acts 17:10, it is "the brethren" who sent away Paul and Silas, showing the community's role in the mission.
The theological weight of G1599 is connected to the expansion of the early church.
- Divine Commission: Being sent forth is not merely a human act but is initiated by the Holy Ghost, establishing the divine authority behind the mission Acts 13:4.
- Purposeful Mission: The word emphasizes that the movement of the apostles was not random but a deliberate dispatch to specific locations for the purpose of ministry, such as going to the synagogue in Berea Acts 17:10.
- Community Action: The act of sending away is performed by the "brethren," highlighting the role of the church community in facilitating and supporting the apostolic mission Acts 17:10.
In summary, G1599 is more than a simple term for departure. Though it appears only twice, it captures a crucial dynamic in the early church: the purposeful and divinely-ordained dispatching of ministers to spread the gospel. It illustrates how believers, under the direction of the Holy Ghost, actively participated in sending forth key figures to new fields of ministry.
TRV