middle voice from ἐπί and καλέω; to entitle; by implication, to invoke (for aid, worship, testimony, decision, etc.):--appeal (unto), call (on, upon), surname.
Transliteration:epikaléomai
Pronunciation:ep-ee-kal-eh'-om-ahee
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ἐπικαλέομαι (epikaléomai, `{{G1941}}`) is a compound word formed from the preposition ἐπί (epi), meaning "upon" or "to," and the verb καλέω (kaleō, `{{G2564}}`), meaning "to call." Crucially, epikaléomai is always found in the middle voice in the New Testament. This grammatical nuance indicates that the action of "calling" is performed by the subject *for themselves* or *with a direct interest* in the outcome.
The semantic range of epikaléomai can be broadly categorized:
1. **To entitle or surname:** In this sense, it means to call someone by a specific name or give them a designation. It identifies or labels.
2. **To appeal to (a human authority):** This usage denotes a formal request for judgment, intervention, or protection, often in a legal or judicial context. The subject calls upon a higher human authority for a decision.
3. **To invoke or call upon (a divine being):** This is the most significant theological usage. It signifies a personal and often urgent turning to God or the Lord, typically for aid, salvation, worship, or testimony. The act implies dependence, faith, and recognition of the invoked one's power and authority.
The middle voice emphasizes the personal nature of the appeal or invocation; it is an act undertaken by the individual for their own benefit or salvation, or to establish their identity.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
ἐπικαλέομαι appears frequently in the New Testament, with its meaning determined by the specific context:
* **As "to surname" or "to be called":**
* In instances like [[Matthew 10:3]] (Thaddaeus, who was surnamed), [[Luke 22:3]] (Judas, called Iscariot), [[Acts 4:36]] (Barnabas, surnamed by the apostles), and [[Acts 12:12]] (John, whose surname was Mark), epikaléomai functions to identify individuals by a specific name or appellation. This highlights the descriptive aspect of the word.
* [[James 2:7]] speaks of "the good name by which you are called," referring to the name of Christ by which believers are identified.
* [[Acts 15:17]] (quoting Amos 9:12 LXX) states, "all the Gentiles who are called by my name," signifying their inclusion in God's people and their identification with Him.
* **As "to appeal to" (a human authority):**
* The most prominent examples are found in the book of Acts, where Paul repeatedly "appeals to Caesar" ([[Acts 25:11]], [[Acts 25:12]], [[Acts 25:21]], [[Acts 25:25]], [[Acts 26:32]], [[Acts 28:19]]). This demonstrates the legal sense of the word, where one calls upon a higher court or ruler for justice, protection, or a fair hearing. Paul, as a Roman citizen, exercised his right to appeal, underscoring the formal and legal dimension of this usage.
* **As "to invoke" or "to call upon" (a divine being):** This usage carries profound theological weight:
* [[Acts 2:21]], quoting Joel 2:32, declares, "And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." This verse, foundational to the early Christian message, establishes "calling on the Lord" as the universal condition for salvation.
* [[Romans 10:13]] echoes this same principle, reinforcing the accessibility of salvation to "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord." The context in Romans 10 emphasizes that this calling is an act of faith, stemming from hearing the word of Christ.
* [[1 Corinthians 1:2]] addresses "the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all those in every place who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Here, "calling on the name of the Lord" serves as a defining characteristic of believers, uniting them across geographical boundaries.
* Stephen's final prayer in [[Acts 7:59]], "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit," is a direct invocation of Jesus, demonstrating that "the Lord" in the context of salvation includes Jesus Himself.
* [[2 Timothy 2:22]] exhorts Timothy to "flee youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." This passage links the act of calling on the Lord with a life of holiness and purity, suggesting an ongoing, sincere relationship.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **καλέω (kaleō, `{{G2564}}`)**: The base verb, meaning "to call." epikaléomai adds the directional or intensive sense of "calling *upon*" or "calling *for oneself*," often implying a specific purpose or relationship.
* **ὀνομάζω (onomazō, `{{G3687}}`)**: "To name, call by name." This word shares semantic overlap with epikaléomai in its "surnaming" sense, but lacks the "invocation" or "appeal" nuance.
* **βοάω (boaō, `{{G994}}`) and κράζω (krazō, `{{G2896}}`)**: Both mean "to cry out" or "to shout," often implying a loud, urgent cry, particularly in distress. While epikaléomai can convey urgency, it primarily focuses on the *object* of the call (who is being called upon) and the *purpose* (aid, worship), rather than merely the volume or intensity of the sound.
* **Old Testament Parallel:** The Septuagint (LXX) frequently translates the Hebrew verb קָרָא (qara', `{{H7121}}`), meaning "to call, cry out, proclaim," with epikaléomai. Notably, the phrase "to call on the name of the Lord" (קָרָא בְּשֵׁם יְהוָה) in the Old Testament (e.g., [[Genesis 4:26]], [[Psalm 116:4]]) directly informs the New Testament usage, establishing a continuity of divine expectation and human response. This deepens the theological resonance of epikaléomai in the New Testament.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ἐπικαλέομαι is profound, particularly in its application to calling upon the Lord:
* **The Condition for Salvation:** The repeated declaration that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" ([[Acts 2:21]], [[Romans 10:13]]) establishes epikaléomai as a central tenet of the Gospel message. It underscores the universal accessibility of salvation, requiring only a personal, active response of faith. This calling is not merely an intellectual assent but an act of dependent trust and invocation.
* **Identification with Christ:** Believers are identified by their act of calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ ([[1 Corinthians 1:2]]). This act serves as a distinguishing mark of Christian identity, signifying their allegiance and relationship with Him.
* **Divine Authority and Sovereignty:** To call upon the name of the Lord implies recognizing His supreme authority, power, and ability to save, deliver, or respond. It is an acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and the believer's dependence. Stephen's invocation of Jesus ([[Acts 7:59]]) further highlights the divine status attributed to Christ by early Christians.
* **Active Faith and Relationship:** Calling on the Lord is not a passive act but an active expression of faith. It signifies a personal relationship characterized by ongoing dependence, prayer, and a pursuit of righteousness ([[2 Timothy 2:22]]). It implies a turning away from self-reliance and a turning towards God in trust.
* **Continuity with Old Testament Piety:** The New Testament use of epikaléomai for divine invocation draws directly from the Old Testament tradition of "calling on the name of Yahweh." This continuity emphasizes that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the same God revealed in Jesus Christ, and the proper response to Him remains one of humble, personal invocation.
### Summary
ἐπικαλέομαι (epikaléomai, `{{G1941}}`) is a significant Greek verb in the New Testament, whose core meaning in the middle voice is "to call upon oneself" or "to call upon for one's own benefit." Its semantic range encompasses "surnaming" or "being called by a name," "appealing to a human authority," and, most critically, "invoking" or "calling upon" a divine being. The latter usage carries immense theological weight, particularly in the context of salvation. To "call on the name of the Lord" is presented as the universal, active, and personal act of faith required for salvation, identifying believers and signifying their dependence on and worship of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. This concept bridges Old Testament piety with New Testament revelation, underscoring the enduring truth that salvation and relationship with God are initiated through a personal, trusting invocation of His divine name.
TRV