The Greek word cheirotonéō, represented by G5500, means to select or appoint. Derived from terms meaning to stretch out the hand, it originally signified being a hand-reacher or voter. It appears 5 times across 4 unique verses in the Bible, where it is generally used to describe the process of choosing or ordaining individuals for specific roles.
In its biblical usage, G5500 is connected to the establishment of church leadership. In Acts, the word describes how elders were ordained in every church, a process that was accompanied by prayer and fasting before they were commended to the Lord Acts 14:23. It is also used in the context of a brother who was chosen by the churches to travel and assist in administering a grace offering 2 Corinthians 8:19. The word appears in the epistles to Timothy and Titus, describing them as having been ordained the first bishops of their respective churches (2 Timothy 4:22, Titus 3:15).
Several related words help clarify the context of being chosen or ordained:
- G4245 presbýteros (elder): This term for a senior or Christian "presbyter" identifies the office to which individuals were ordained in Acts 14:23.
- G1577 ekklēsía (church): Defined as a religious congregation or community, this is the setting in which leaders were ordained or chosen (Acts 14:23, 2 Corinthians 8:19).
- G1985 epískopos (bishop): This word for a superintendent or overseer is the title given to Timothy and Titus, who were described as having been ordained (2 Timothy 4:22, Titus 3:15).
- G4336 proseúchomai (to pray to God): This act of worship is explicitly linked to the ordination of elders, highlighting the spiritual nature of the appointment Acts 14:23.
- G3908 paratíthēmi (to place alongside, i.e. present... commit): After being ordained, the elders were commended to the Lord, indicating they were entrusted to His care and authority Acts 14:23.
The theological significance of G5500 is rooted in the establishment of church structure and authority.
- Formal Appointment: The use of this word indicates a formal and recognized process for selecting leaders, whether by apostles Acts 14:23 or by the churches themselves 2 Corinthians 8:19.
- Spiritual Foundation: The act of appointing leaders was not merely administrative. It was set apart by spiritual practices like prayer and fasting, showing a reliance on divine guidance and approval Acts 14:23.
- Establishing Church Offices: The word is directly tied to the creation of foundational leadership roles within the early Christian community, specifically that of elders and bishops who were given charge over a church.
In summary, G5500 signifies more than a simple choice; it describes the deliberate and formal appointment of individuals to positions of responsibility within the church. From its roots in voting by a show of hands, it came to represent the recognized selection of leaders such as elders and bishops. Its use in scripture demonstrates a foundational principle of the early church: that leaders were to be formally and prayerfully ordained for their work.
TRV