Lexical Summary eiskaleomai: To call in, to invite Original Word: εἰσκαλέομαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance call in. From eis and kaleo; to invite in -- call in. see GREEK eis see GREEK kaleo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom eis and kaleó Definition to call in NASB Translation invited (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1528: εἰσκαλέομαιεἰσκαλέομαι, ἐισκαλοῦμαι (middle of εἰσκαλέω): 1 aorist participle εἰσκαλεσάμενος; to call in unto oneself, to invite in to one's house: τινα, Acts 10:23. (Polybius, others.) Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 1528 (εἰσκαλέω, eiskaleō) appears once in the New Testament, at Acts 10:23. The term pictures Peter’s act of inviting Gentile messengers into his lodging, a seemingly small gesture that marks a pivotal advance of the gospel beyond Jewish boundaries. Biblical Context Acts 10 portrays two converging visions—Cornelius’s angelic visitation and Peter’s rooftop trance—which prepare the way for Gentile inclusion. When Cornelius’s men arrive in Joppa, “Peter invited them in as guests” (Acts 10:23). The participle εἰσκαλεσάμενος conveys more than courtesy; it records Peter’s decisive obedience to the Spirit’s command and anticipates the subsequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Cornelius’s house (Acts 10:44–48). Historical and Cultural Background First-century Judaism maintained strong social and purity distinctions that typically prohibited hosting Gentiles. Lodging strangers under one’s roof signaled acceptance, shared space, and potential table fellowship. In that setting, Peter’s invitation represented a significant breach of prevailing norms and demonstrated his readiness to align personal practice with a fresh revelation of God’s impartial grace. Theological Significance 1. Gentile Inclusion: Peter’s hospitality precedes the Spirit’s confirmation that “God does not show favoritism” (Acts 10:34). Links to Old Testament Hospitality Scripture consistently associates hospitality with covenant faithfulness—Abraham’s welcome of three visitors (Genesis 18) and Rahab’s sheltering of spies (Joshua 2). Peter stands in this tradition, yet his welcome uniquely signals the dawning of a new covenant era where Gentiles are fellow heirs. Ministry Applications • Mission: Opening homes creates relational bridges for gospel witness, echoing Peter’s example. Doctrinal Observation Even a hapax legomenon like εἰσκαλέω contributes to the canon’s integrated message. Its solitary usage underscores Scripture’s precision: every word, though sometimes rare, is purposeful and authoritative, serving the divine narrative of redemption. Conclusion Acts 10:23’s εἰσκαλέω encapsulates a critical moment when an apostle’s hospitality becomes God’s gateway to the nations. Modern believers likewise participate in God’s mission when they invite others in, trusting that simple acts of welcome can become turning points in salvation history. Forms and Transliterations εισκαλεσαμενος εισκαλεσάμενος εἰσκαλεσάμενος εισοδία εισοδιαζόμενον εισοδιασθέν eiskalesamenos eiskalesámenosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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