Lexical Summary tassó: To arrange, to appoint, to order, to ordain Original Word: τάσσω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance appoint, determine, ordain, set. A prolonged form of a primary verb (which latter appears only in certain tenses); to arrange in an orderly manner, i.e. Assign or dispose (to a certain position or lot) -- addict, appoint, determine, ordain, set. HELPS Word-studies 5021 tássō – properly, arrange (put in order); to place in a particular order, appoint; (figuratively) ordain, set in place; "station" (J. Thayer). 5021 /tássō ("place in position, post") was commonly used in ancient military language for "designating" ("appointing, commissioning") a specific status, i.e. arranging (placing) in a deliberate, fixed order. [5021 (tássō) was "primarily a military term meaning 'to draw up in order, arrange in place, assign, appoint, order' " (A-S).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom a prim. root tag- Definition to draw up in order, arrange NASB Translation appointed (2), designated (1), determined (1), devoted (1), established (1), set (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5021: τάσσωτάσσω: 1 aorist ἔταξα; perfect infinitive τεταχέναι (Acts 18:2 T Tr marginal reading); passive, present participle τασσόμενος; perfect 3 person singular τέτακταί, participle τεταγμένος; 1 aorist middle ἐταξαμην; from (Pindar, Aeschylus), Herodotus down; the Sept. for שׂוּם, and occasionally for נָתַן, צִוָּה, שׁוּת, etc.; to put in place; to station; a. "to place in a certain order (Xenophon, mem. 3, 1, 7 (9)), to arrange, to assign a place, to appoint": τινα, passive, αἱ ἐξουσία ὑπό Θεοῦ τεταγμέναι εἰσιν (A. V. ordained), Romans 13:1; (καιρούς, Acts 17:26 Lachmann); ἑαυτόν, εἰς διακονίαν τίνι, to consecrate (R. V. set) oneself to minister unto one, 1 Corinthians 16:15 (ἐπί τήν διακονίαν, Plato, de rep. 2, p. 371 c.; εἰς τήν δουλείαν, Xenophon, mem. 2, 1, 11); ὅσοι ἦσαν τεταγμένοι εἰς ζωήν αἰώνιον, as many as were appointed (A. V. ordained) (by God) to obtain eternal life, or to whom God bad decreed eternal life, Acts 13:48; τινα ὑπό τινα, to put one under another's control (A. V. set under), passive, Matthew 8:9 L WH in brackets, the Sinaiticus manuscript; Luke 7:8 (ὑπό τινα, Polybius 3, 16, 3; 5, 65, 7; Diodorus 2, 26, 8; 4, 9, 5); τίνι τί, to assign (appoint) a thing to one, passive, Acts 22:10 (Xenophon, de rep. Lac. 11, 6). b. to appoint, ordain, order: followed by the accusative with an infinitive, Acts 15:2; ( Acts 13:48 captures the wonder of Gentile inclusion: “All who were appointed for eternal life believed.” The participle τεταγμένοι underlines that faith itself springs from God’s prior arrangement, harmonizing with Ephesians 1:4-5 and anchoring assurance in His immutable purpose. Similarly, Acts 22:10 records the risen Lord’s words to Saul, “Get up and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been appointed to do.” The persecutor’s transformation into an apostle illustrates how individual vocation is woven into redemptive history long before personal awareness. Apostolic Governance and Church Order At the Jerusalem Council “Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders” (Acts 15:2). The congregation’s selection of delegates shows local churches acting under divine direction to resolve doctrinal disputes. Later, while Paul awaited trial, “They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day” (Acts 28:23). Even in custody, the apostle’s ministry unfolded through orderly planning, demonstrating that Spirit-led strategy is not opposed to careful organization. Commissioning for Mission Matthew 28:16 notes that “the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain Jesus had designated.” Before issuing the Great Commission, the risen Lord fixed both the place and the audience. Mission therefore proceeds from deliberate divine direction rather than human spontaneity. Consecrated Service within the Body 1 Corinthians 16:15 commends “the household of Stephanas,” who “devoted themselves to the service of the saints.” Their devotion is introduced by ἔταξαν, indicating a self-assignment carried out in harmony with the Spirit’s ordering of gifts (1 Corinthians 12:18). Lay initiative and Spirit appointment converge, urging every believer to discern and embrace Spirit-prompted avenues of service. Submission to Legitimate Authority In Romans 13:1 Paul exhorts, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” Civil structures, however flawed, arise within God’s providential arrangement, calling Christians to respectful compliance unless obedience to man would entail disobedience to God (Acts 5:29). Matthew 8:9 and Luke 7:8 portray the centurion who understood ordered authority and therefore trusted Jesus’ sovereign word. His insight underscores that recognizing God-given order nurtures great faith. Interplay of Sovereignty and Responsibility While divine appointment is emphatic, human response remains essential. Those “appointed for eternal life” still “believed” (Acts 13:48). Paul, though “appointed” to ministry (Acts 22:10), labored “more than all of them” (1 Corinthians 15:10). Scripture holds both truths in tension, inviting humble trust in God’s plan and vigorous participation in His work. Practical Implications for Ministry Today • Plan prayerfully: strategic planning honors the God who arranges all things (Acts 28:23). Through its nine New Testament occurrences, Strong’s Greek 5021 reveals a God who orders history, commissions His people, and sustains the delicate balance between His sovereignty and human responsibility. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 8:9 V-PPM/P-NMSGRK: ὑπὸ ἐξουσίαν τασσόμενος ἔχων ὑπ' INT: under authority I appoint having under Matthew 28:16 V-AIM-3S Luke 7:8 V-PPM/P-NMS Acts 13:48 V-RPM/P-NMP Acts 15:2 V-AIA-3P Acts 22:10 V-RIM/P-3S Acts 28:23 V-APM-NMP Romans 13:1 V-RPM/P-NFP 1 Corinthians 16:15 V-AIA-3P Strong's Greek 5021 |
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