from ἐπί and χείρ; to put the hand upon, i.e. undertake:--go about, take in hand (upon).
Transliteration:epicheiréō
Pronunciation:ep-ee-khi-reh'-o
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ἐπιχειρέω (epicheiréō, `{{G2021}}`) is a compound word derived from the preposition ἐπί (epí), meaning "upon" or "over," and the noun χείρ (cheír), meaning "hand." Its literal meaning is "to put the hand upon." From this literal sense, it extends semantically to signify "to undertake," "to attempt," "to endeavor," or "to set about." The core idea is the initiation of an action, the act of applying oneself or one's effort to a task or purpose. While it denotes an active engagement, it does not inherently guarantee success or legitimacy. The nuance of the word can range from a commendable, earnest effort to a presumptuous or malicious attempt, depending on the context.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ἐπιχειρέω appears three times in the New Testament, each instance offering distinct contextual insights:
1. **[[Luke 1:1]]**: "Forasmuch as many have *taken in hand* to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us..." Here, the word describes the earnest and commendable efforts of individuals who sought to compile an orderly account of the events concerning Jesus Christ. Luke uses it to preface his own systematic Gospel, implying that these "undertakings" were serious, perhaps scholarly, and aimed at preserving truth. The nuance is positive, highlighting diligent human initiative in recording divine revelation.
2. **[[Acts 9:29]]**: "...and he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they *went about* to slay him." In this context, ἐπιχειροῦντες (the present participle of ἐπιχειρέω) describes the hostile attempt by the Grecians to kill Saul (Paul). The phrase "went about" conveys their deliberate endeavor or plot. Here, the word carries a decidedly negative connotation, illustrating a malicious and violent undertaking against God's chosen instrument.
3. **[[Acts 19:13]]**: "Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, *took upon them* to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth." This instance describes the sons of Sceva, who presumptuously attempted to mimic Paul's exorcisms without genuine faith or divine authority. Their "undertaking" was an unauthorized and ultimately futile endeavor, leading to their humiliation. The nuance here is one of presumption, imitation, and a lack of true spiritual power, highlighting the danger of attempting spiritual acts without divine warrant.
These occurrences demonstrate the word's flexibility in describing human initiative, ranging from laudable efforts to malevolent plots and presumptuous imitations.
### Related Words & Concepts
The etymology of ἐπιχειρέω directly links it to the concepts of "application" (ἐπί, `{{G1909}}`) and "action/power" (χείρ, `{{G5495}}`). Other related Greek words that denote action, doing, or attempting include:
* `{{G4160}}` (poiéō): "to do," "to make," a general term for performing an action.
* `{{G4238}}` (prássō): "to do," "to practice," often implying habitual or deliberate action.
* `{{G3985}}` (peirázō): "to test," "to try," "to tempt," which can involve an attempt to prove or ascertain something, though with a different focus on testing.
* `{{G1453}}` (engcheiréō): "to put into the hand," "to undertake," a very close synonym, though less frequent in the NT.
Conceptually, ἐπιχειρέω relates to the broader themes of human will, effort, and the initiation of deeds, whether righteous or unrighteous. It underscores the active role of individuals in the unfolding of events, whether in cooperation with or opposition to divine purposes.
### Theological Significance
While ἐπιχειρέω is not a word with inherent theological weight, its contextual usage reveals significant theological truths. It highlights the nature of human initiative in the divine economy:
* **Human Agency and Divine Sovereignty**: The word underscores human agency, demonstrating that individuals "undertake" actions. However, the outcomes of these undertakings are often shown to be subject to divine will. Luke's undertaking in [[Luke 1:1]] is blessed, while the attempts in [[Acts 9:29]] and [[Acts 19:13]] are ultimately frustrated or exposed as illegitimate, implicitly affirming God's ultimate control.
* **Legitimacy and Authority**: The contrast between Luke's commendable effort and the sons of Sceva's presumptuous attempt is stark. It illustrates that not all "undertakings" are equally valid or effective in God's sight. True spiritual power and authority come from God, not from mere imitation or human will.
* **Ethical Dimension of Action**: The three occurrences demonstrate the ethical spectrum of human endeavors. An undertaking can be born of a sincere desire to serve truth (Luke), a malicious intent to harm (Acts 9), or a presumptuous and unauthorized imitation (Acts 19). This reminds us that the moral quality of an action is determined by its intent, means, and ultimate alignment with God's character and purposes.
### Summary
The Greek word ἐπιχειρέω (epicheiréō, `{{G2021}}`) literally means "to put the hand upon" and extends to "to undertake," "to attempt," or "to endeavor." Its New Testament occurrences in Luke and Acts vividly illustrate the diverse nature of human initiative. It describes both earnest, legitimate efforts (Luke's Gospel compilation, [[Luke 1:1]]) and misguided, hostile, or presumptuous attempts (the plot against Paul, [[Acts 9:29]]; the unauthorized exorcism by the sons of Sceva, [[Acts 19:13]]). The word thus serves to highlight human agency and effort, while simultaneously, through its contexts, implicitly teaches profound lessons about divine sovereignty, the necessity of divine authority for spiritual efficacy, and the ethical implications of human actions. It reminds us that while humans are free to "take in hand" various endeavors, the ultimate success and legitimacy of such undertakings are determined by their alignment with God's will and power.
TRV