Lexical Summary epitropé: Permission, authority, charge Original Word: ἐπιτροπή Strong's Exhaustive Concordance commission. From epitrepo; permission, i.e. (by implication) full power -- commission. see GREEK epitrepo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom epitrepó Definition authority NASB Translation commission (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2011: ἐπιτροπήἐπιτροπή, ἐπιτροπῆς, ἡ (ἐπιτρέπω), permission, power, commission: Acts 26:12. (From Thucydides down.) Topical Lexicon Topical Overview Strong’s Greek 2011 appears only in Acts 26:12 yet opens a rich window into the biblical theme of delegated authority or a “commission.” In Luke’s narrative, Saul of Tarsus carries official authorization from the Jerusalem hierarchy to suppress followers of Jesus. Scripture then juxtaposes that human endorsement with the greater, divine mandate Saul receives on the Damascus road (Acts 26:14-18). The term therefore serves as a pivot: from earthly permission aimed at destruction to heavenly commissioning aimed at salvation. First-Century Background The Sanhedrin, functioning under Roman oversight, could issue letters of authorization for matters it judged religiously vital (Acts 9:1-2). Such written warrants enabled emissaries like Saul to mobilize local synagogues and regional authorities. This legal structure mirrors wider Greco-Roman practice, where provincial governors routinely dispatched deputies with sealed documents (compare Nehemiah 2:7-8 for an earlier Persian parallel). Luke’s use of the word in Acts 26:12 resonates with readers attuned to the gravity of bearing another’s official power. Saul’s Human Mandate and God’s Overruling Call Acts 26:12: “In this pursuit, I was on my way to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests.” What follows is not merely a change of mind but a transfer of allegiance. Saul’s earthly mission is halted by the risen Christ, who issues His own command in Acts 26:16-18. The contrast underscores two key truths: 1. Human authorization, however prestigious, remains subordinate to divine prerogative (Proverbs 21:30). Patterns of Commissioning in Scripture 1. Old Testament prototypes: Moses lays hands on Joshua as successor (Numbers 27:18-19). Isaiah volunteers after a vision of the throne (Isaiah 6:8). These scenes blend personal readiness with divine endorsement. Theological Significance • Delegated authority is legitimate only when aligned with God’s revealed will. Scripture neither romanticizes human institutions nor dismisses them; it subjects them to higher judgment (Acts 4:19). Implications for Contemporary Ministry • Calling and credentials: Seminaries, ordination councils, and church boards rightly confer recognition, yet leaders must continually test their direction against Scripture and the Spirit’s leading (2 Timothy 2:15). Key Cross-References Summary Strong’s 2011 highlights one instance where human authorization collides with divine commission. Its placement in Acts 26 invites readers to examine every exercise of power in light of Christ’s supreme authority and the redemptive purposes of God. Forms and Transliterations επιτροπης επιτροπής ἐπιτροπῆς epitropes epitropês epitropēs epitropē̂sLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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