The Greek word apostello (ἀποστέλλω) is a key term in the New Testament, and has important theological significance. Here is an overview of the meaning and usage of apostello in the Bible.
Literal Meaning
Apostello comes from the Greek root words apo, meaning “from” or “away,” and stello, meaning “to send.” So literally, apostello means “to send away” or “to send forth.” It denotes the act of sending someone for a particular purpose.
The verb apostello occurs over 130 times in the New Testament. It is translated into English in various ways, including “to send,” “to send out,” “to send away,” and “to commission.” The noun form apostolos, meaning “apostle” or “one who is sent,” derives from apostello.
Theological Usage
While apostello has a literal meaning of sending someone on a mission, it develops a theological significance based on how it is used in the New Testament.
Firstly, apostello refers to Jesus being sent by God the Father into the world on a divinely-ordained mission:
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:17)
“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law…” (Galatians 4:4)
Secondly, it refers to Jesus sending out his disciples to preach, teach, and minister in his name:
“And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. The names of the twelve apostles are these…These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them…” (Matthew 10:1-5)
“As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” (John 20:21)
Thirdly, it refers to God or the Holy Spirit commissioning people for specific tasks or missionary work:
“Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers…While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia…” (Acts 13:1-4)
“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” (Romans 10:14-15)
Key Insights
Drawing these usages together, here are some key theological insights on the meaning of apostello:
- It emphasizes the authority and initiative of the sender – God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit.
- It implies being sent for a divinely-ordained purpose and mission.
- It suggests empowerment by the sender to fulfill the mission.
- It entails obedience and faithfulness to the sender.
- It results in representing and bearing witness to the sender through the mission.
Apostolic Mission
Apostello is integral to the biblical theme of the apostolic mission of the church being rooted in the original sending and commissioning of the disciples by Jesus.
Just as Jesus was sent by the Father and in turn sent out the disciples, so Jesus continues to commission his followers through the Spirit to carry out his mission in the world. The apostolic mission rests on this ongoing commissioning and sending.
So in summary, the meaning of apostello centers on the authoritative sending out of messengers by God to fulfill a divinely-ordained mission. This concept forms the basis of the New Testament theology of the apostolic mission that the church is called to carry out in the power of the Spirit.
The term apostello encompasses ideas of being chosen and set apart, endowed with authority, sent to carry out a specific task, empowered by the sender, devoted in obedience to the mission, and acting as an authorized representative and witness of the one who sent.
As we share in the apostolic mission today, we do well to reflect on these dimensions of meaning contained in this important biblical term apostello – “to send out” on a divinely commissioned mission.
The Greek word apostello has its literal meaning of sending someone for a purpose. But it develops rich theological significance in the New Testament based on its usages for Jesus being sent by God, Jesus sending out his disciples, and the ongoing commissioning of the church by the Spirit. This establishes the biblical foundation for the apostolic mission believers are called to carry out faithful obedience.
When we understand the meaning of apostello, it should instill in us a fresh sense of divine purpose and empowerment for our own participation in the apostolic mission of the church today. Just as Jesus was sent out by the Father, so now we are sent out by Jesus through the Spirit to continue his mission in the world.
The depth of meaning in this word apostello is vast, encompassing ideas such as authoritative sending, divinely chosen purpose, empowerment, obedient faithfulness to the task, and representing the sent one. Grasping what apostello means provides motivation and direction for our lives as those who are sent out on the ongoing apostolic mission of the gospel.
As followers of Jesus Christ, understanding the concept of apostello from the New Testament helps us appreciate that we have been commissioned and sent out to play our part in God’s mission. Just as the disciples were handpicked and sent out by Jesus in the power and authority of His name, so we carry on that apostolic mission in the world today.
Apostello means more than just being sent on a task – it means being chosen, set apart, endowed with spiritual gifts and authority, and faithful to our calling as messengers and ambassadors of Christ. This is the privilege and responsibility of participating in God’s mission through the apostolic sending we see in the Biblical meaning of apostello.
When we grasp the significance of apostello, it should be both humbling and emboldening for us as disciples of Jesus. We have the amazing privilege of being sent out to the world on God’s mission, just as Jesus himself was sent on the ultimate apostolic mission by the Father. This should spur us on to faithfully carry out our apostolic calling.
The original Twelve did not choose themselves – Jesus called them by name and commissioned them to go out in His authority. Similarly, our participation in the apostolic mission rests entirely on the gracious sending of Christ through his Spirit, not anything we have done to deserve the calling. Understanding apostello should lead to gratitude, dependence and commitment to obediently represent Jesus through our God-given apostolic tasks.
As believers seeking to follow Jesus’ teachings and example, understanding the biblical meaning of apostello matters for our discipleship and sense of missional calling. Just as Jesus commissioned his original followers to carry forward his mission, so we are all sent out into the world empowered by the Spirit to be ambassadors for Christ.
Grasping the significance of this word apostello should shape our identity and calling as disciples sent out on the apostolic mission of gospel proclamation and demonstration. May we be faithful to the sender, dependent on the Spirit’s empowerment, and committed to carrying out our unique apostolic tasks for God’s glory.
The original disciples did not choose their own mission. Jesus personally selected them, appointed them, and authorized them to go out in His name as his official representatives. Understanding this helps us see that our calling as disciples sent out on God’s mission rests entirely on Christ’s initiative and sending, not anything we have done to merit the calling.
Just as the first followers of Jesus were handpicked and commissioned as Christ’s delegates sent under his authority, so we continue this apostolic mission under Christ’s direction. Our part is to obey Jesus’ command to make disciples of all nations as we rely on the Holy Spirit’s empowerment and gifting to equip us for this apostolic ministry.
The biblical meaning of apostello as being authoritatively commissioned and sent out should give us an awe-filled gratitude that Christ calls us to represent him and reliance on the Spirit to empower our apostolic labors. Our apostolic sending is all of grace, and for God’s glory alone.
The New Testament uses of apostello provide a wealth of revelation on what it means to be sent on God’s mission. Just as Jesus was sent on the ultimate apostolic mission from the Father, so Jesus in turn commissions and sends out his followers, enduing them with authority and empowering them with the Spirit to advance His kingdom.
This biblical theology of apostolic sending provides the blueprint for how disciples of Jesus in every age are to view their calling and purpose. We have the privilege of continuing the apostolic mission of the early church as ambassadors and witnesses of Jesus Christ in the world today.
Understanding the fullness of meaning in the term apostello should freshly motivate followers of Jesus to embrace their apostolic identity. We are sent people, called and commissioned by Christ through the Spirit to take the gospel everywhere in the power and authority of the name of Jesus.
Just as the original apostles turned the world upside down in their generation, our apostolic sending leads us to live radical, countercultural lives marked by kingdom priorities. Apostello reminds us we are not our own – we belong to the Lord who has sent us out and entrusted us with advancing His mission through the church.
As those who have encountered the living Christ, may we devote ourselves to lives worthy of our apostolic calling. Sent by the risen Lord into the world, may we preach the gospel boldly, make disciples faithfully, plant churches courageously, and fulfill our apostolic mandate humbly and joyfully to the glory of God.
The richness of the biblical theology contained in the word apostello gives us insight into the nature of the church’s mission. Just as God sent his Son Jesus, and Jesus sent out the first disciples, so the risen Christ continues to commission and send out believers through the empowering of the Holy Spirit.
This understanding of apostolic sending grounds the mission and purpose of the church across the ages. We have been authoritatively commissioned and delegated to go into all the world as Christ’s representatives, ambassadors of reconciliation, and witnesses to God’s love demonstrated through the gospel.
Grasping the meaning of apostello should instill in us a renewed vision for our corporate apostolic identity and calling as the sent people of God. Empowered by the Spirit, may we give ourselves to apostolic ministry that spreads the fame and reign of Christ to the ends of the earth for God’s glory.
As those called to continue Christ’s mission between his first and second comings, may we live up to our apostolic mandate. Sent ones empowered by the risen Lord, may we give our lives to bold gospel proclamation, making disciples, planting churches, andmodeling lives laid down in service for the sake of God’s kingdom.
Understanding the significance of apostello provides perspective on the urgent necessity and global scope of the apostolic mission with which Christ has entrusted his church. Until Jesus returns, we are commissioned as his delegated ambassadors sent out to reach the nations with the good news of salvation.