Lexical Summary epiousa: Next, following, coming Original Word: ἐπιοῦσα Strong's Exhaustive Concordance following, next. Feminine singular participle of a comparative of epi and heimi (to go); supervening, i.e. (hemera or nux being expressed or implied) the ensuing day or night -- following, next. see GREEK epi see GREEK hemera see GREEK nux NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originsee epeimi. Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1966: ἐπιοῦσαἐπιοῦσα, see ἔπειμι. Topical Lexicon Scope of the TermUsed only five times in the New Testament—and all within the historical narrative of Acts—the participial expression rendered “the next day” (or “the following night”) marks a temporal bridge between significant moments in redemptive history. Its sole function is chronological, but the Spirit-inspired placement of the word frames each scene with theological and pastoral weight, underscoring God’s day-by-day guidance of His servants as the gospel advances from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. Occurrences in Acts 1. Acts 7:26 After Stephen recounts Moses’ first attempt to reconcile two Israelites, he notes, “The next day he came upon them as they were fighting…”. The phrase highlights the immediacy of Moses’ second encounter, setting up the rejection that anticipates Israel’s later rejection of the Righteous One. 2. Acts 16:11 Luke writes, “We put out to sea from Troas and sailed straight for Samothrace, and on the next day to Neapolis.” The step-by-step itinerary into Macedonia accentuates the Spirit-directed break into Europe, fulfilling the vision Paul received just verses earlier (Acts 16:9–10). 3. Acts 20:15 “Sailing from there, we came the next day opposite Chios; the following day we touched at Samos, and the day after that we arrived at Miletus.” The rapid succession of days compresses Paul’s journey, emphasizing his resolve to reach Jerusalem before Pentecost (Acts 20:16) while still carving out time to exhort the Ephesian elders. 4. Acts 21:18 “The next day Paul went in with us to see James, and all the elders were present.” The phrase marks Paul’s formal submission of his Gentile mission to the Jerusalem leadership, portraying a church that, though diverse, remains unified in doctrine and fellowship. 5. Acts 23:11 “The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, ‘Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so also you must testify in Rome.’” Here a nocturnal instance of the term introduces Christ’s personal assurance, turning what seems a hopeless incarceration into the staging ground for witness before Caesar himself. Narrative Function 1. Seamless Transition Luke employs the word to prevent narrative lag. Each “next day” or “following night” passes the baton of the account without leaving theological or historical gaps, mirroring the unbroken chain of providence. 2. Divine Providence and Urgency By drawing attention to successive days, Luke testifies that every calendar page is under divine appointment. Whether Moses in Egypt or Paul on the Aegean, God choreographs opportunities and opposition alike. 3. Missional Momentum In Acts 16, 20, and 21, the term appears in travel logs, conveying missionary momentum. The gospel is never static; it is always en route to the next harbor, synagogue, or council chamber. 4. Covenant Continuity Acts 7 links Moses’ “next day” to Israel’s rejection; Acts 23 couples Paul’s “following night” with Christ’s promise of future testimony. The parallelism threads Old-Covenant precedent with New-Covenant fulfillment, reinforcing Scripture’s coherence. Historical and Ministry Significance • Travel Diaries as Apologetic Evidence The precision of Luke’s day-by-day notes furnishes historians with verifiable routes and time frames, supporting the credibility of the Acts narrative. • Shepherding through Uncertainty Ministry often unfolds one day at a time. Each appearance of the term models trust in the Lord for tomorrow’s challenges, a pattern echoed in James 4:13–15 and Matthew 6:34. • Encouragement for Evangelists Paul’s itinerary in Acts 20 and 21, marked by successive days, shows that long-range vision (reaching Jerusalem, then Rome) is achieved by faithful stewardship of the next twenty-four hours. • The Night Watches Acts 23:11 reminds believers that the Lord not only commands the coming day but also stands near in the darkest hours, transforming prisons into pulpits. Practical Application 1. Plan, yet Depend Strategic scheduling is biblical, but divine redirection can enter “the next day.” Believers plan with humility, acknowledging the Sovereign who orders tomorrow. 2. Persevere Daily The Acts narrative encourages perseverance. Whether waiting for a ship’s departure or facing a council’s verdict, the servant of God lives faithfully in the present, confident that the “following day” rests in His hands. 3. Expect New Opportunities Each occurrence precedes a fresh opening for testimony—reconciliation in Egypt, evangelism in Europe, teaching in Miletus, fellowship in Jerusalem, witness in Rome. The pattern invites modern disciples to greet each new day as an ordained platform for the gospel. Conclusion While a single Greek participle may seem incidental, its Spirit-guided placement punctuates the unstoppable progress of God’s mission. The term translated “the next day” quietly testifies that the same Lord who aligned Moses’ steps and Paul’s voyages orders the calendar of every believer, weaving each successive dawn into the grand tapestry of redemption. Forms and Transliterations επιουση επιούση ἐπιούσῃ epiouse epiousē epioúsei epioúsēiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 7:26 V-PP-DFSGRK: τῇ τε ἐπιούσῃ ἡμέρᾳ ὤφθη KJV: And the next day he shewed himself INT: on the and following day he appeared Acts 16:11 V-PP-DFS Acts 20:15 V-PP-DFS Acts 21:18 V-PP-DFS Acts 23:11 V-PP-DFS |
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