χειροτονέω

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

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.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

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).

Related Words & Concepts

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.

Theological Significance

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.

Summary

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.