This is an examination of the Greek word ἀπόστολος apóstolos. it provides the possible meanings through every usage in the New Testament. This is to provide foundational information for analysis of the position of apostles according to the Scripture that can be applied to the topic of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR)

• Greek word: ἀπόστολος apóstolos
• Meaning:   Apostle, Messenger, Sent
• Strong’s #: G652
  Frequency:  79 occurrences

Summary of the meaning of the Greek word ἀπόστολος apóstolos in all verses where it occurs in the New Testament.

• Apostle of Christ (1 Thess. 2:6; 1 Tim. 1:1, 7; 2 Tim. 1:1)
• Apostle of Jesus (1 Cor. 1:1; 2 Cor. 1:1; Eph. 1:1; Col. 1:1; Titus 1:1; 1 Pet. 1:1; 2 Pet. 1:1; 3:2; Jude 17)
• Apostle of the Lamb (Rev. 21:14)
• Apostles and Elders (Acts 15:2, 4, 6, 22-23, 16:4)
• Apostles and prophets foundational (Eph. 2:20)
• Apostles imprisoned (Acts 5:18)
• Apostles laid hands on people (Acts 6:6; 8:18)
• Apostles punished (Acts 5:40)
• False apostles (2 Cor. 11:13; Rev. 2:2)
• For equipping the saints (Eph. 4:11)
• Generic (Acts 8:1, 14; 9:27; 11:1; 14:4; Rom. 1:1; 11:13; 16:7; 1 Cor. 4:9; 9:2, 5; 15:7, 9; 2 Cor. 11:5; 12:11; Gal. 1:17, 19; 1 Tim. 2:7; 2 Tim. 1:11; Rev. 18:20)
• Jesus is an apostle (Heb. 3:1)
• Messenger (2 Cor. 8:23; Phil. 2:25)
• Mystery of Christ revealed to Apostles (Eph. 3:5)
• Office of in the Church (1 Cor. 12:28-19)
• Qualification of (1 Cor. 9:1)
• Sent from Jesus (Gal. 1:1)
• Signs of a true apostle (2 Cor. 12:12)
• The twelve (Matt. 10:2; 6:30; 6:13; 9:10; Luke 17:5; Luke 22:14; Acts 2:37, 42-43; 4:33, 35-37; 5:2, 12; Acts 5:29)

 

Address	“Apostle, Apostles, Messenger, Sent” Strong’s # 652, ἀπόστολος apóstolos	Meaning
Matt. 10:2	“Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;”	The Twelve
Mark 6:30	“The apostles gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught.”	The Twelve
Luke 6:13	“And when day came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles:	The Twelve
Luke 9:10	“When the apostles returned, they gave an account to Him of all that they had done. Taking them with Him, He withdrew by Himself to a city called Bethsaida.”	The Twelve
Luke 11:49	“For this reason also the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and some they will persecute,”	Persecution of
Luke 17:5	“The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”	The Twelve
Luke 22:14	“When the hour had come, He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him.”	The Twelve
Luke 24:10	“Now they were Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James; also the other women with them were telling these things to the apostles.”	The Twelve
John 13:16	“Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.”	Someone sent
Acts 1:2	“until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen.”	Jesus gives order to
Acts 1:26	“And they drew lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.”	Matthias chosen by lot
Acts 2:37	“Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?”	The Twelve
Acts 2:42	“They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”	The Twelve
Acts 2:43	“Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.”	The Twelve
Acts 4:33	“And with great power, the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.”	The Twelve
Acts 4:35	“and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.”	The Twelve
Acts 4:36	“Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement),”	The Twelve
Acts 4:37	“and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”	The Twelve
Acts 5:2	“and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet.”	The Twelve
Acts 5:12	“At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s portico.”	The Twelve
Acts 5:18	“They laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public jail.”	Imprisoned
Acts 5:29	“But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.”	The Twelve
Acts 5:40	“They took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them.”	Punished
Acts 6:6	“And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.”	Apostles laid hands on people
Acts 8:1	“Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.”	Generic
Acts 8:14	“Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John.”	Generic
Acts 8:18	“Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money,”	postles laid hands on people
Acts 9:27	“But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.”	Generic
Acts 11:1	“Now the apostles and the brethren who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.”	Generic
Acts 14:4	“But the people of the city were divided; and some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles.”	Generic
Acts 14:14	“But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out”	Generic
Acts 15:2	“And when Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue.”	Apostles and Elders
Acts 15:4	“When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them.”	Apostles and Elders
Acts 15:6	“The apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter.”	Apostles and Elders
Acts 15:22	“Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas—Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren,”	Apostles and Elders
Acts 15:23	“and they sent this letter by them, “The apostles and the brethren who are elders, to the brethren in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia who are from the Gentiles, greetings.”	Apostles and Elders
Acts 16:4	“Now while they were passing through the cities, they were delivering the decrees which had been decided upon by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem, for them to observe.”	Apostles and Elders
Rom. 1:1	“Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,”	Generic
Rom. 11:13	“But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,”	Generic
Rom. 16:7	“Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.”	Generic
1 Cor. 1:1	“Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,”	Apostle of Jesus
1 Cor. 4:9	“For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.”	Generic
1 Cor. 9:1	“Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?”	Qualification of
1 Cor. 9:2	“If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.”	Generic
1 Cor. 9:5	“Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?”	Generic
1 Cor. 12:28	“And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.”	Office of in the Church
1 Cor. 12:29	“All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they?”	Office of in the Church
1 Cor. 15:7	“then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles;”	Generic
1 Cor. 15:9	“For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.	Generic
2 Cor. 1:1	“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth with all the saints who are throughout Achaia:”	Apostle of Jesus
2 Cor. 8:23	“As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brethren, they are messengers of the churches, a glory to Christ.”	Messenger
2 Cor. 11:5	“For I consider myself not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostles.”	Generic
2 Cor. 11:13	“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.”	False apostles
2 Cor. 12:11	“I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually, I should have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody.”	Generic
2 Cor. 12:12	“The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.”	Signs of a true apostle
Gal. 1:1	“Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead),”	Sent from Jesus
Gal. 1:17	“nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus.”	Generic
Gal. 1:19	“But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.”	Generic
Eph. 1:1	“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus:”	Apostle of Jesus
Eph. 2:20	“having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,”	Apostles and prophets foundation
Eph. 3:5	“which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;”	Mystery of Christ revealed to Apostles
Eph. 4:11	“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,”	For equipping the saints
Phil. 2:25	“But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need;”	Messenger
Col. 1:1	“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,”	Apostle of Jesus
1 Thess. 2:6	“nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority.”	Apostle of Christ
1 Tim. 1:1	“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope,”	Apostle of Christ
1 Tim. 2:7	“For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.”	Generic
2 Tim. 1:1	“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus,”	Apostle of Christ
2 Tim. 1:11	“for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher.”	Generic
Titus 1:1	“Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,”	Apostle of Jesus
Heb. 3:1	“Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession;”	Jesus is an apostle
1 Pet. 1:1	“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen”	Apostle of Jesus
2 Pet. 1:1	“Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:”	Apostle of Jesus
2 Pet. 3:2	“that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.”	Apostle of Jesus
Jude 17	“But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ,”	Apostle of Jesus
Rev. 2:2	“I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false;”	False Apostles
Rev. 18:20	“Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced judgment for you against her.”	Generic
Rev. 21:14	“And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”	Apostle of the Lamb

 

Dictionaries and Lexicons consulted

• “ἀπόστολος apóstolos; gen. apostólou, masc. noun from apostéllō (649), to send. Used as a subst., one sent, apostle, ambassador. Sometimes used syn. with presbeutḗs, ambassador, related to presbeúō (4243), to act as an ambassador (2 Cor. 5:20; Eph. 6:20). The messenger or ambassador (Phil. 2:25 [see also Phil. 4:18]) can never be greater than the one who sends him (John 13:16; Sept.: 1 Kgs. 14:6).”
  • Zodhiates, Spiros. The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000
• “ἀπόστολοςb, ου m: (derivative of ἀποστέλλωb ‘to send a message,’ 15.67) one who is sent with a message—‘messenger.’ οὐδὲ ἀπόστολος μείζων τοῦ πέμψαντος αὐτόν ‘no messenger is greater than the one who sent him’ Jn 13:16.”
  • Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains. New York: United Bible
    Societies, 1996.

   

   

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