εὐαγγελιστής (euangelistēs)
euangelistēs
evangelist
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun euangelistēs refers to a herald who brings good news, specifically the message of salvation through Christ. In the New Testament, it identifies those who preach the gospel but are not classified as apostles. This role appears in Acts 21:8 with Philip, Ephesians 4:11 among church gifts, and 2 Timothy 4:5 where Paul urges Timothy to fulfill his duty.
Its root lies in euangelion, meaning "good news," combined with the agent suffix -tēs. The term emphasizes the function of announcing rather than founding a community or holding apostolic authority. Later church tradition extended it to describe writers of gospels, though the biblical usage focuses on active proclamation.
Translators consistently render it as "evangelist," preserving the sense of a messenger carrying vital tidings. The word highlights a specific ministry within the early church structure, distinct from teachers or pastors, focused entirely on spreading the foundational message to those who had not yet heard it.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word for 'evangelist' describes someone whose primary calling is to carry good news to those who have not yet heard it. It comes from roots meaning 'good' and 'message,' pointing to a specific role of proclamation rather than administration or leadership within an existing community. This distinction helps us see that spreading the foundational message is a unique and vital gift in the body of Christ.
When we look at figures like Philip in Acts, we see this role in action: he was one of the seven chosen to serve, yet his name is specifically tied to being an evangelist. This reminds us that faithful service often involves both practical care and bold witness. The message itself remains the center, carried by those willing to step out and share it.
Paul’s instruction to Timothy in 2 Timothy encourages believers to take up this work with sobriety and endurance. It is not about fame or status, but about fulfilling a ministry that connects people to the hope of salvation. Whether you feel called to share your story or simply support those who do, this word invites us all to value the simple, powerful act of telling others about Jesus.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of an evangelist,1×
- evangelists,1×
- evangelist1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- εὐαγγελιστάς,1×
- εὐαγγελιστοῦ,1×
- εὐαγγελιστοῦ1×
Key Verses
-
Ephesians 4:11
He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers;
This verse lists evangelists alongside apostles and prophets, showing that proclaiming the gospel is a foundational gift given by Christ to equip the church.
-
Acts 21:8
On the next day, we who were Paul’s companions departed and came to Caesarea. We entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.
Philip is identified here as an evangelist, linking his role in spreading the message to his earlier service as one of the seven who managed daily distribution.
-
II Timothy 4:5
But you be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry.
Paul explicitly commands Timothy to 'do the work of an evangelist,' highlighting that this is an active duty requiring endurance and sober-mindedness.