ἐπιτροπή (epitropē)
epitropē
commission
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun epitropē refers to a formal commission or the authority granted to act on behalf of another. It denotes the legal power to make decisions and manage affairs for someone else, rather than personal initiative. This concept appears in Acts 26:12, where Paul describes receiving his mandate from the high priest to travel to Damascus.
Its meaning extends beyond simple permission; it implies a specific jurisdiction or right to decide matters within that assigned scope. The sources highlight this as a recognized power to act with official backing, ensuring the actions taken are legitimate and binding under the authority that issued the commission.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word epitropē describes a formal commission or the legal authority granted to act on behalf of another. It is not merely permission but a specific jurisdiction with official backing. When someone holds this role, their actions are legitimate and binding because they carry the weight of the one who sent them.
In Acts 26:12, Paul uses this term to describe his mandate from the chief priests. He traveled to Damascus not by personal initiative but under a recognized power structure. This reminds us that our own service often depends on a commission we receive from God rather than our own strength or cleverness.
Understanding this concept helps us see how authority works in spiritual matters. We are called to act within the scope of what has been entrusted to us. It invites confidence that when we serve with proper backing, our work carries lasting significance for those around us.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- commission1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐπιτροπῆς1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 26:12
“Whereupon as I traveled to Damascus with the authority and commission from the chief priests,
This verse shows the word describing Paul's official mandate from the chief priests to act with legal power in Damascus.