middle voice from ἐπί and λέγω; to surname, select:--call, choose.
Transliteration:epilégomai
Pronunciation:ep-ee-leg'-om-ahee
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ἐπιλέγομαι (epilégomai), Strong's number `{{G1951}}`, is a compound word formed from the preposition ἐπί (epi), meaning "upon," "over," or "in addition to," and the verb λέγω (legō), which primarily means "to say," "to speak," but also carries a secondary sense of "to gather," "to collect," or "to choose." The verb appears in the middle voice, which indicates that the action is performed by the subject for its own benefit, or that the subject participates in the action.
Consequently, ἐπιλέγομαι carries a dual semantic range:
1. **To surname or call by an additional name:** This meaning arises from the "upon" or "in addition to" sense of ἐπί combined with λέγω as "to say" or "to call." It denotes the act of giving an extra appellation or a descriptive name to someone.
2. **To choose or select for oneself:** This meaning derives from the "upon" or "for" sense of ἐπί combined with the "to gather" or "to choose" sense of λέγω. In the middle voice, it emphasizes the subject's active role in making a selection or preference.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
ἐπιλέγομαι appears twice in the New Testament, both times in the Book of Acts, illustrating its distinct applications:
* **[[Acts 1:23]]**: "And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also *called* Justus, and Matthias."
* Here, ἐπιλέγομαι (transliterated as *epilegomenos*) is used in the passive sense, "who was also called" or "who was surnamed." Joseph Barsabbas had an additional name, Justus. The context is the selection of a new apostle to replace Judas Iscariot. This usage highlights the common practice of individuals having multiple names or appellations, often descriptive of their character or origin. It is a simple statement of identification.
* **[[Acts 6:5]]**: "And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they *chose* Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch."
* In this instance, ἐπιλέγομαι (transliterated as *epilexanto*) is used in the active sense, "they chose" or "they selected." The early church community, guided by the apostles, actively selected seven men to serve the Hellenist widows. This choice was not arbitrary but based on specific spiritual qualifications: being "full of faith and of the Holy Spirit." This usage underscores a deliberate and purposeful act of selection by the community for a specific ministry within the church.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding ἐπιλέγομαι is enhanced by examining its relationship to other Greek terms:
* **λέγω (legō) `{{G3004}}`**: The root verb, signifying "to say," "to speak," but also possessing the meaning "to gather," "to count," or "to select." The latter sense is foundational to ἐπιλέγομαι's meaning of "to choose."
* **ἐκλέγομαι (eklegomai) `{{G1586}}`**: Meaning "to choose out," "to select." This verb is frequently used in the New Testament to describe God's divine election of individuals or groups (e.g., [[Ephesians 1:4]], [[John 15:16]]). While ἐπιλέγομαι can mean "to choose," ἐκλέγομαι carries a stronger and more consistent theological weight regarding divine choice. ἐπιλέγομαι in [[Acts 6:5]] describes a human act of selection, albeit one guided by spiritual discernment.
* **ὀνομάζω (onomazō) `{{G3687}}`**: "To name," "to call by name." This word is closely related to the "surnaming" sense of ἐπιλέγομαι in [[Acts 1:23]], focusing on the act of giving a name.
* **προχειρίζομαι (procheirizomai) `{{G4384}}`**: "To choose beforehand," "to appoint." This term is also used in Acts to describe the appointment of apostles or witnesses (e.g., [[Acts 3:20]], [[Acts 22:14]]). It shares the sense of deliberate selection for a specific role.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ἐπιλέγομαι is primarily derived from its usage in [[Acts 6:5]], where it describes the early church's process of selecting leaders for service.
1. **Discernment in Leadership Selection:** The act of "choosing" the seven deacons demonstrates the early church's commitment to discerning qualified individuals for ministry. This was not a random selection but a deliberate choice based on spiritual criteria ("full of faith and of the Holy Spirit"). It underscores the principle that those appointed to serve in the church should possess demonstrable spiritual maturity and character.
2. **Community Participation in Ministry:** The selection process in Acts 6 involved the entire "gathering" (πλῆθος), highlighting the communal aspect of identifying and affirming those called to serve. While the apostles set the criteria, the community participated in the choice, reflecting a shared responsibility in the life and ministry of the church.
3. **Practical Outworking of the Spirit's Guidance:** Although a human act of choice, the selection of the seven was implicitly guided by the Holy Spirit, as evidenced by the qualifications sought. This illustrates how the Spirit works through the community to establish order and effectiveness in ministry, ensuring that practical needs are met in a spiritually sound manner.
4. **Divine Purpose in Human Choice:** While not a term for divine election in the same vein as ἐκλέγομαι, ἐπιλέγομαι in this context shows human choice operating within the broader divine purpose for the church. The selection of these men facilitated the apostles' devotion to prayer and the ministry of the word, leading to the growth of the disciples ([[Acts 6:7]]).
The "surnaming" use in [[Acts 1:23]] is less overtly theological but reminds us that individuals are known and identified within the community, a necessary aspect of their participation in God's redemptive plan.
### Summary
ἐπιλέγομαι (epilégomai) `{{G1951}}` is a Greek verb that encompasses two primary meanings: "to surname" or "to call by an additional name," and "to choose" or "to select for oneself." Its two occurrences in the New Testament, both in the Book of Acts, distinctly illustrate these senses. In [[Acts 1:23]], it describes the act of being given an additional name, highlighting identification. More significantly, in [[Acts 6:5]], it refers to the deliberate act of the early church community "choosing" Spirit-filled men for a specific ministry. This latter usage underscores the importance of Spirit-guided discernment in leadership selection, community participation in affirming ministry, and the practical outworking of God's purposes through human agency within the church. While not a term for divine election, ἐπιλέγομαι reveals the human responsibility in making choices that align with God's will for the flourishing of His people and the advancement of His kingdom.
TRV