from ἐπιτρέπω; permission, i.e. (by implication) full power:--commission.
Transliteration:epitropḗ
Pronunciation:ep-ee-trop-ay'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun `{{G2011}}` epitropḗ (ἐπιτροπή) is derived from the verb `{{G2010}}` epitrepō, which means "to permit," "to allow," or "to entrust." Consequently, `{{G2011}}` epitropḗ primarily conveys the idea of "permission." However, its semantic range extends beyond mere allowance to encompass a more active sense of "authority," "commission," or "full power" that has been formally granted or delegated. It implies not just a passive consent but an active mandate or trust bestowed upon an individual to act on behalf of another, often someone in a position of higher authority. This word suggests a formal delegation of responsibility and the power necessary to execute it.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{G2011}}` epitropḗ appears only once in the New Testament, found in the book of Acts:
* **[[Acts 26:12]]**: "While thus occupied, I was journeying to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests." (NIV)
In this passage, Paul (then Saul) is recounting his pre-conversion activities to King Agrippa. He states that he went to Damascus "with authority and commission" (μετ’ ἐξουσίας καὶ ἐπιτροπῆς) from the chief priests. The conjunction of `{{G2011}}` epitropḗ with `{{G1849}}` exousia (authority/power) is crucial. While `{{G1849}}` exousia refers to the inherent right or capacity to act, `{{G2011}}` epitropḗ emphasizes the *formal delegation* or *mandate* by which that power was conferred. It highlights that Paul's mission to persecute Christians in Damascus was not a personal vendetta but an officially sanctioned and empowered task. This detail underscores the institutional backing and the full extent of the authority granted to him by the highest Jewish religious leadership, making his subsequent radical conversion all the more astonishing.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **`{{G2010}}` epitrepō (ἐπιτρέπω):** As the root verb, it signifies "to permit," "to allow," or "to entrust." The noun `{{G2011}}` epitropḗ is the direct result of this action – the permission or commission granted.
* **`{{G1849}}` exousia (ἐξουσία):** Meaning "authority," "power," or "right." In [[Acts 26:12]], `{{G2011}}` epitropḗ is paired with `{{G1849}}` exousia. While `{{G1849}}` exousia speaks to the power itself, `{{G2011}}` epitropḗ specifies the *source* and *nature* of that power as a delegated commission, emphasizing the formal act of granting power.
* **`{{G3557}}` nomos (νόμος):** "Law." The commission Paul received operated within the framework of Jewish religious law and authority, under which the chief priests held significant power.
* **`{{G1785}}` entolē (ἐντολή):** "Commandment," "injunction." While `{{G1785}}` entolē refers to a specific directive or order, `{{G2011}}` epitropḗ indicates a broader grant of power or a mandate to act, often involving multiple actions.
### Theological Significance
The singular occurrence of `{{G2011}}` epitropḗ in [[Acts 26:12]] carries profound theological weight. It vividly portrays the depth of Paul's pre-conversion zeal and the significant, official backing he received from the Jewish religious establishment to suppress the nascent Christian movement. This "commission" was not a mere informal allowance but a full empowerment to act on behalf of the chief priests, representing the highest human religious authority of the time.
Theologically, this detail magnifies the radical nature of Paul's conversion. The man who possessed such a formidable, institutionally sanctioned commission to persecute the Church was precisely the one chosen by Christ to be His most fervent apostle, proclaiming the very Gospel he once sought to destroy. This underscores the sovereign and transformative power of God's grace, which can redirect even the most zealous opponents into powerful instruments for His kingdom.
Furthermore, `{{G2011}}` epitropḗ serves as a stark reminder of how human institutions, even those with religious aims, can grant authority that fundamentally opposes God's divine purposes. Paul's commission from men led him to act against the will of God, whereas his subsequent commission from Christ redirected his zeal towards fulfilling God's redemptive plan. It highlights the ultimate supremacy of divine authority over any humanly delegated power, especially when the latter stands in opposition to the former.
### Summary
The Greek noun `{{G2011}}` epitropḗ (ἐπιτροπή) signifies "permission," but more robustly, "commission" or "full power" that has been formally delegated. Derived from the verb `{{G2010}}` epitrepō ("to permit, entrust"), it conveys the idea of a mandate or authority bestowed upon an individual to act on behalf of another. Its sole appearance in the New Testament in [[Acts 26:12]] is highly significant, describing the formal and extensive "commission" Paul received from the chief priests to persecute Christians. This term underscores the official backing and considerable power granted to Paul in his pre-conversion zeal. Theologically, `{{G2011}}` epitropḗ highlights the dramatic contrast between humanly delegated authority used to oppose God's purposes and God's sovereign intervention to transform and redirect such empowered individuals. It powerfully illustrates divine grace and the ultimate supremacy of Christ's commission over any human one, even when granted by esteemed religious authorities.
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