Acts 13:2 Meaning: Setting Apart for God's Work
As they served the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Separate Barnabas and Saul for me, for the work to which I have called them.”
As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
And as they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
and in their ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, `Separate ye to me both Barnabas and Saul to the work to which I have called them,'
And as they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me now Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.
Meaning in one sentence
In Acts 13:2, the Holy Spirit speaks as the church worships, calling Barnabas and Saul for a specific mission. Understand the meaning of this commissioning.
Context
The church in Antioch was thriving. It had five prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who grew up with Herod the tetrarch), and Saul. One day, as they were engaged in worship and fasting, that is, offering prayer and praise to the Lord while deliberately going without food, the Holy Spirit spoke. The message was clear: set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work God had already called them to do. This moment launches the first recorded missionary journey in Acts, sending the gospel beyond Jewish circles into the Gentile world. The scene is both ordinary and extraordinary: a group of believers doing what they normally did, and God interrupting with a directive that would change history.
Key Words
The Greek word behind “served” or “ministered” is leitourgeō. It originally described someone performing a public duty at their own expense, and in the Greek Old Testament it was used for priests serving in the temple. Here it carries the weight of worship offered not from obligation but from devotion. These men were not running a program; they were serving the Lord with everything they had.
The word “fasted” (nēsteuō) meant to abstain from food for a religious purpose. In Jewish practice, fasting often accompanied urgent prayer or times of seeking direction. The church at Antioch was not trying to manipulate God; they were creating space to hear from Him.
The Holy Spirit’s command uses the verb aphorizō, “set apart.” It means to mark off by boundaries, to separate for a specific purpose. This is the same word Paul uses in Romans 1:1 when he says he was “set apart for the gospel of God.” The Spirit’s call was not vague; it was a clear, holy assignment.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have seen different layers here. John Wesley (Methodist) stressed that this was not an ordination, Paul was already called by Christ; this was a public designation to a specific mission. Adam Clarke (Methodist) agreed, explaining that the Greek word leitourgeō (from which we get “liturgy”) points to the public prayer and supplication of the church. Calvin (Reformed) argued against reading any priestly sacrifice into the word, insisting that Christian ministry is about offering souls to God through the gospel.
The Cambridge Bible (Anglican) notes the Holy Spirit likely spoke through the prophets present. Barnes (Presbyterian) emphasizes that the “work” was a temporary missionary journey, not a permanent office. All traditions agree that the Spirit initiated this sending, the church responded with fasting, prayer, and laying on of hands.
A common misunderstanding
Living This Out
Think about the rhythm of the Antioch church: they were serving the Lord and fasting. They weren’t in a strategy meeting or a conference. They were simply worshiping and intentionally creating room for God. That is where the Spirit spoke.
This week, you can ask yourself: have I created space in my life to hear God? Not just a hurried prayer, but intentional time of waiting, maybe even fasting, where you set aside distractions. And when God makes something clear, are you ready to release what is most precious to you, as the church released Barnabas and Saul? Their work began with someone else’s willingness to let go.
Main takeaway: God speaks through worship and fasting, calling ordinary believers to join the work He has already prepared for them.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Some friends were praying and not eating to be close to God. God told them to send two men to tell others about Jesus. God still talks to people who love Him.
For ages 9, 12
The church in Antioch was worshiping and fasting when the Holy Spirit clearly told them, “Set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work I have for them.” They didn’t ignore the message. They prayed, fasted, and sent them off. This shows that God speaks when we give Him our full attention. He may be asking you to do something special for Him too.
Questions People Ask
Did the Holy Spirit speak out loud in Acts 13:2?
The text does not say whether it was an audible voice or an inner impression. Most commentators believe the Spirit spoke through one of the prophets present, likely Simeon, Lucius, or Manaen, who are listed in verse 1. The church clearly recognized the message as from God.
Was this Paul's ordination as an apostle?
No. Paul (Saul) was already called to be an apostle by Jesus Christ Himself on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:15, Galatians 1:1). This event in Antioch was a public commissioning for a specific missionary journey to the Gentiles, not a setting apart for a permanent office.
What does 'set apart' mean in this verse?
The Greek word is 'aphorizō,' meaning to mark off by boundaries or separate for a purpose. It is the same word Paul uses in Romans 1:1 when he says he was 'set apart for the gospel of God.' It implies a holy separation for God's work, not exclusion from others.
Why were they fasting?
Fasting was a way of focusing on God without distraction from food. In Jewish and early Christian practice, it often accompanied prayer for guidance or in times of serious need (see Daniel 9:3). The Antioch church fasted to prepare themselves to hear from God about the mission ahead.
What was the 'work' Barnabas and Saul were called to?
The work was the first major missionary journey recorded in Acts, taking the gospel from Antioch through Cyprus and into Asia Minor. Barnes describes it as a temporary assignment, not a permanent office. After returning and reporting, they resumed their place in the church.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study