Acts 14:23 - Exposition

Appointed for them for ordained them, A.V. ( χειροτονήσαντες ) ; had believed for believed, A.V. The original meaning of χειροτονέω is "to stretch out the hand," and the substantive χειροτονία is used in the LXX . of Isaiah 58:9 for "the putting forth of the finger" of the A.V. But the common meaning of the verb is "to vote by stretching out the hand" and hence "to elect" by a show of hands ( 2 Corinthians 8:19 ), or simply "to appoint," without any reference to voting. In the choice of an apostle the election was by lot ( Acts 1:26 ), in the appointment of deacons the choice was by the people, how indicated we are not told ( Acts 6:5 ); the question here, on which commentators disagree, is whether the use of the word χειροτονέω indicates voting by the people, selection by the apostles, or simple creation or appointment. As χειροτονήσαντες is predicated of Paul and Barnabas, it cannot possibly refer to voting by the people, who are included in the able, as those on whose behalf the χειροτονία was made. It seems simplest and most in accordance with the classical use of the word and its use in Acts 10:41 ( προκεχειροτονημένοις ) , to take it in the sense of creation or appointment (see Steph., 'Thesaur.'). There is no reference to the laying on of hands. Elders (see Acts 11:30 , note; Acts 20:17 ; and especially Titus 1:5 , Titus 1:7 , where we see that πρεσβύτερος was synony- mous with ἐπίσκοπος ) . From πρεσβύτερος is formed prestos, priest, in French prestre, pretre. Comp. Acts 13:3 , for fasting and prayer as accompaniments of ordination. Hence in the Church ordinations are preceded by the Ember days. They commended them to the Lord (comp. Acts 20:32 ). In Acts 13:26 the word used is παραδεδομένοι .