Acts 14:23
And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
Original Language Analysis
χειροτονήσαντες
when they had ordained
G5500
χειροτονήσαντες
when they had ordained
Strong's:
G5500
Word #:
1 of 16
to be a hand-reacher or voter (by raising the hand), i.e., (generally) to select or appoint
αὐτοὺς
them
G846
αὐτοὺς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 16
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
πρεσβυτέρους
elders
G4245
πρεσβυτέρους
elders
Strong's:
G4245
Word #:
4 of 16
older; as noun, a senior; specially, an israelite sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or christian "presbyter"
κατ'
in every
G2596
κατ'
in every
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
5 of 16
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
ἐκκλησίαν
church
G1577
ἐκκλησίαν
church
Strong's:
G1577
Word #:
6 of 16
a calling out, i.e., (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (jewish synagogue, or christian community of members on earth
προσευξάμενοι
and had prayed
G4336
προσευξάμενοι
and had prayed
Strong's:
G4336
Word #:
7 of 16
to pray to god, i.e., supplicate, worship
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
8 of 16
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
νηστειῶν
fasting
G3521
νηστειῶν
fasting
Strong's:
G3521
Word #:
9 of 16
abstinence (from lack of food, or voluntary and religious); specially, the fast of the day of atonement
παρέθεντο
they commended
G3908
παρέθεντο
they commended
Strong's:
G3908
Word #:
10 of 16
to place alongside, i.e., present (food, truth); by implication, to deposit (as a trust or for protection)
αὐτοὺς
them
G846
αὐτοὺς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 16
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κυρίῳ
to the Lord
G2962
κυρίῳ
to the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
13 of 16
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
εἰς
on
G1519
εἰς
on
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
14 of 16
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Cross References
Titus 1:5For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:Acts 11:30Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.Acts 20:32And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.James 5:14Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:Acts 20:17And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.2 Timothy 2:2And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.Acts 15:4And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.Acts 15:6And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.1 Timothy 5:22Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.1 Timothy 5:1Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;
Historical Context
This pattern of establishing local leadership in newly founded churches prevented cult of personality around founding missionaries. The 'elders' (Greek 'presbyterous') provided ongoing pastoral care and governance after apostles departed.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you develop local leadership rather than creating dependency on outside authorities?
- What does prayer and fasting in leadership selection teach about spiritual discernment in important decisions?
Analysis & Commentary
Paul and Barnabas's 'ordaining of elders in every church' established local leadership before departing. The combination of prayer and fasting with this appointment shows the serious spiritual nature of leadership selection. The phrase 'commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed' indicates both the leaders' and churches' ultimate dependence on Christ rather than apostolic presence.