αὐτόχειρ (autocheir)
autocheir
with one’s own hand
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The rare adjective autocheir literally means "with one’s own hand." It appears only once in the New Testament, describing a specific physical action in Acts 27:19. Here, Paul is involved in a severe storm at sea, and the text notes that he himself threw the ship’s tackle overboard.
This word emphasizes direct personal agency rather than delegation. By specifying that Paul acted with his own hands, the narrative highlights his active participation in the crisis alongside the sailors, rather than remaining passive or merely giving orders. The term is distinctively vivid, drawing attention to the tangible effort required in that moment of survival.
Because it is so uncommon, autocheir stands out as a precise descriptor of manual labor under pressure. Its usage underscores the reality of Paul’s involvement in the physical dangers faced by everyone on board, marking him not just as a spiritual leader but as someone sharing in the immediate struggle.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word autocheir appears just once in the New Testament, describing Paul throwing out the ship's tackle with his own hands during a violent storm. This rare term highlights direct personal agency. It shows that spiritual leadership often involves sharing in the physical struggle of others rather than remaining distant or passive.
In Acts 27:19, Paul does not simply give orders from a safe distance. He rolls up his sleeves and works alongside the sailors to save everyone on board. This detail reminds us that faith is lived out through tangible effort and shared burden. When crises hit, we are called to participate fully, not just observe.
God often uses our hands to bring hope in desperate situations. Your willingness to engage directly with the problems around you reflects Christ’s own service. May you find strength in knowing that your active participation matters deeply to God and those you serve.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- with [their] own hands1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- αὐτόχειρες1×
Key Verses
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Acts 27:19
On the third day, they threw out the ship’s tackle with their own hands.
This verse uses autocheir to emphasize Paul's direct physical involvement in saving the ship, showing he shared the sailors' labor rather than delegating it.