The Greek word ἐπικαλέομαι (epikaléomai), represented by G1941, means to entitle or, by implication, to invoke for various purposes such as aid, worship, testimony, or decision. It appears 33 times across 32 unique verses, demonstrating its versatile role in scripture. Its applications range from assigning a surname to a person to making a formal appeal to a high authority.
The prefix ἐπί- (G1909) in G1941 carries a significant directional or superimposing force, suggesting a "calling upon" or "calling to" something or someone. This nuance moves beyond a simple summons (kaléō) to imply a reliance, an application, or an imposition. When a name is "called upon" someone, it is laid upon them as an identifier; when a deity is invoked, the call is directed upon that divine being in expectation of a response or aid. This inherent directionality underscores the intentionality and often the gravity of the act, whether in bestowing an identity or seeking divine intervention.
In the biblical narrative, G1941 is used in three primary ways. First, it is used to assign a name or title, as when Judas is "surnamed Iscariot" Luke 22:3 or when Joses is "surnamed Barnabas" by the apostles Acts 4:36. Second, it signifies the act of invoking a divine being for salvation or help. This is seen in the foundational promise that "whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13, Acts 2:21). Stephen, as he was being stoned, was "calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit" Acts 7:59. Third, it is used in a legal sense to make an appeal to a higher authority, most notably when Paul declares, "I appeal unto Caesar" Acts 25:11.
Beyond individual acts of naming, salvation, or legal appeal, G1941 frequently delineates the collective identity and practice of early believers. The phrase "call on the name of the Lord" serves as a defining characteristic of the nascent Christian community, identifying those who belonged to Christ. For instance, Paul addresses the church at Corinth, including "all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord" 1 Corinthians 1:2, portraying this invocation as a universal mark of discipleship. Similarly, Ananias is told to find Saul, who had come with authority "to bind all that call on thy name" Acts 9:14, illustrating how this practice identified early Christians to outsiders. This communal calling is further emphasized in the exhortation to "flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart" 2 Timothy 2:22, highlighting a shared, ongoing spiritual commitment. Even the act of baptism is directly linked to this invocation, as Ananias instructs Saul to "arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" Acts 22:16, cementing G1941 as integral to conversion and communal belonging.
Several related words help clarify the meaning of G1941:
- G2564 kaléō (to "call"): As the root of G1941, this word signifies a direct calling. It is used in a theological sense when God has "called you out of darkness into his marvellous light" 1 Peter 2:9, establishing a divine summons.
- G1567 ekzētéō (to search out, seek after): This word describes the active pursuit of God. It is used alongside G1941 to show that the Gentiles, upon whom the Lord's name "is called," would "seek after the Lord" Acts 15:17.
- G2723 katēgoréō (to accuse): This word provides a direct contrast to the legal sense of appealing. Paul is forced to appeal G1941 to Caesar precisely because his accusers "accuse" G2723 him of wrongdoing Acts 25:11.
- G4336 proseúchomai (to pray to God): This term for prayer is closely related to invoking God's name. Believers are instructed to pursue righteousness with others who "call on" G1941 the Lord 2 Timothy 2:22, an act often accomplished through prayer G4336.
- G1909 epí (upon, over, to): This preposition, forming the prefix of G1941, significantly shapes its meaning, directing the "calling" upon or to a specific person, name, or authority, emphasizing the object of the invocation or designation.
The theological weight of G1941 is significant, highlighting key aspects of the believer's relationship with God.
- Invocation for Salvation: The act of "calling on the name of the Lord" is presented as a direct path to salvation (Romans 10:13, Acts 2:21). This establishes invocation not merely as a cry for help, but as a foundational act of faith required for redemption Romans 10:14.
- Divine Identification: The term is used to express a covenental relationship. God is not ashamed "to be called their God" Hebrews 11:16, and believers are identified by "that worthy name by the which ye are called" James 2:7. This connects the act of naming with belonging to God.
- Appeal to Ultimate Authority: Just as Paul appealed G1941 to Caesar, believers are shown to "call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth" 1 Peter 1:17. This elevates the concept from a legal right to a spiritual one, where God is the ultimate and impartial judge to whom believers can appeal.
- Communal Identity and Practice: The act of "calling on the name of the Lord" serves as a distinguishing mark of the early Christian community, signifying not only individual faith but also corporate identity and shared spiritual practice. Believers are identified as "all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord" 1 Corinthians 1:2, and are exhorted to pursue godliness "with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart" 2 Timothy 2:22. This collective invocation underscores the communal nature of faith and worship.
The Greek term G1941 epikaléomai is a dynamic verb, embodying the core actions of entitling, invoking, and appealing. Its construction from epí (upon, to) and kaléō (to call) highlights a directed or superimposed calling, lending weight and intentionality to its various applications throughout the New Testament.
In its most straightforward sense, G1941 describes the act of assigning a name or title, as seen in the familiar "surnamed Iscariot" Luke 22:3 or "surnamed Barnabas" Acts 4:36. This usage establishes identity, marking individuals within a community or narrative. More profoundly, it signifies the invocation of a divine being, crucial for salvation, as declared in the promise that "whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13, Acts 2:21). This invocation extends to earnest prayer for help or spiritual communion, exemplified by Stephen "calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit" Acts 7:59, and forming an integral part of conversion, as believers are baptized "calling on the name of the Lord" Acts 22:16.
G1941 carries significant legal weight, denoting an appeal to a higher authority, most famously when Paul repeatedly declares, "I appeal unto Caesar" (Acts 25:11, Acts 25:21, Acts 25:25). This legal right translates into a theological principle where believers "call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth" 1 Peter 1:17, acknowledging God as the ultimate and impartial arbiter. The act of "calling on the Lord" also functions as a defining characteristic of the Christian community, identifying believers as "all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord" 1 Corinthians 1:2, thereby establishing a communal identity and shared practice of faith.
In essence, G1941 encapsulates a spectrum of fundamental human and divine interactions. From the simple act of naming to the profound cry for salvation, from a legal plea to a defining act of communal worship, epikaléomai is a multifaceted term that articulates identity, dependence, and the deep, directed communication between humanity and the divine.
TRV