ἀπόστολ-ος G0652
apostle, one sent with authority; a commissioned messenger or envoy, especially of Christ
The Greek apostolos denotes someone dispatched with full authority to represent the sender — a concept richer than mere 'messenger.' In the New Testament it most often identifies the Twelve chosen by Jesus (Luke 6:13) and Paul, who vigorously defends his apostolic commission (Gal 1:1). Beyond this inner circle, the term extends to church delegates like Barnabas and possibly Andronicus and Junia. The classical background of naval dispatch and ambassadorial mission enriches the theological freight: an apostle carries the full weight of the one who sent him. Spanish apostoles, French apotre, and German Apostel all transliterate rather than translate, reflecting the word's unique status.
Senses
1. apostle, messenger, one sent forth — A person commissioned and sent forth with delegated authority, especially one of Christ's authorized representatives. The term encompasses the Twelve (Matt 10:2; Mark 3:14), Paul, and broader church envoys. Classical Greek usage as an ambassador or naval commander underscores the weight of official delegation. Every major translation tradition preserves the term as a near-transliteration, signaling its irreplaceable theological specificity. 80×
AR["الرُّسُلُ", "الرُّسُلِ", "رَسُولًا", "رُسُلاً", "رُسُلًا", "رُسُلَ", "رُسُلُ", "رُسُلِ"]·ben["পবিত্র", "প্রেরিত", "প্রেরিতদের", "প্রেরিতরা", "প্রেরিতেরা"]·DE["Apostel"]·EN["apostles"]·FR["apôtre"]·heb["שְׁלִיחִים", "שְׁלוּחִים"]·HI["-प्रेरित", "और", "जिन्हें", "दिलासे-का", "पास", "प्रेरित", "प्रेरितों-के", "प्रेरितों-को", "प्रेरितों-ने", "हों", "होते-थे"]·ID["rasul", "rasul,", "rasul-rasul", "rasul.", "rasul;"]·IT["apostolo"]·jav["para-rasul", "rasul", "rasul,", "rasul.", "rasul;"]·KO["그-", "명령하시고", "사도들-에의해", "사도들-을", "사도들-의", "사도들로", "사도들에게", "사도들을", "사도들의", "사도들이", "사도들이라고", "증거-를"]·PT["apóstolos"]·RU["апостолам", "апостолам,", "апостолами", "апостолами.", "апостолов", "апостолов,", "апостолов.", "апостолов;", "апостолы"]·ES["apóstoles"]·SW["mitume"]·TR["-o", "diğer", "eliçilerin", "elçiler", "elçilere", "elçilerin", "havariler", "havarilerden", "havarilere", "havarilerin", "havariyle"]·urd["رسول", "رسولوں", "رسولوں-سے", "رسولوں-نے", "رسولوں-کو", "رسولوں-کے", "نام-رکھا"]
Matt 10:2, Mark 3:14, Mark 6:30, Luke 6:13, Luke 9:10, Luke 11:49, Luke 17:5, Luke 22:14, Luke 24:10, Acts 1:2, Acts 1:26, Acts 2:37 (+38 more)
Related Senses
H0935 1. come, arrive (Qal) (2413×)G1473 1. first person singular pronoun (2084×)H3318 1. Qal: go out, depart, come forth (891×)H7725 1. to return, come/go back (Qal) (874×)H5927 1. go up, ascend (Qal) (779×)H7971 1. to send, dispatch (Qal) (701×)G2064 1. come / arrive (physical movement toward) (588×)H5307 1. Qal: fall down physically (339×)H5375 1. Qal: to lift up, raise (330×)H5975 1. to stand, stand up (310×)H5674a 1. Qal: pass by, pass through (256×)H3381 1. Qal: to go down, descend (physical movement) (242×)G1831 1. go/come out physically (193×)H5337 1. deliver, rescue, save (Hifil) (188×)H7901 1. lie down, rest, sleep (183×)G1525 1. enter a place physically (179×)H7812 1. prostrate oneself, bow down, worship (173×)H3318 2. Hifil: bring out, lead out, take out (persons) (172×)H7725 2. to bring back, restore (Hifil) (151×)H5674a 2. Qal: cross over (134×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
ἀπόστολ-ος, ὁ, messenger, ambassador, envoy, ὁ μὲν δὴ ἀ. ἐς τὴν Μίλητον ἦνRefs 5th c.BC+; ἐς Λακεδαίμονα τριήρεϊ ἀ. ἐγίνετο he went off on a mission to Laced., Refs __b commander of a naval force, Refs 5th c.AD+ __2 messenger from God, LXX; especially of the Apostles, NT __II ={στόλος}, naval squadron or expedition, Refs 5th c.BC+; ἀπόστολον ἀφιέναι, ἀποστέλλειν, ποιεῖσθαι, Refs 4th c.BC+ __II.2…