Acts 14:23
New International Version
Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

New Living Translation
Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

English Standard Version
And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Berean Standard Bible
Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church, praying and fasting as they entrusted them to the Lord, in whom they had believed.

Berean Literal Bible
Now having chosen elders for them in every church, having prayed, with fasting they committed them to the Lord, in whom they had believed.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

New American Standard Bible
When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they entrusted them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

NASB 1995
When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

NASB 1977
And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Legacy Standard Bible
And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Amplified Bible
When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they entrusted them to the Lord in whom they believed [and joyfully accepted as the Messiah].

Christian Standard Bible
When they had appointed elders for them in every church and prayed with fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When they had appointed elders in every church and prayed with fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

American Standard Version
And when they had appointed for them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And they appointed them Elders in every church while they were fasting with them and praying, committing them to our Lord in whom they had believed.

Contemporary English Version
Paul and Barnabas chose some leaders for each of the churches. Then they went without eating and prayed that the Lord would take good care of these leaders who had trusted in the Lord.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And when they had ordained to them priests in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, in whom they believed.

English Revised Version
And when they had appointed for them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They had the disciples in each church choose spiritual leaders, and with prayer and fasting they entrusted the leaders to the Lord in whom they believed.

Good News Translation
In each church they appointed elders, and with prayers and fasting they commended them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

International Standard Version
Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church, and with prayer and fasting they entrusted them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Literal Standard Version
and having appointed to them elders in every assembly by vote, having prayed with fastings, they commended them to the LORD in whom they had believed.

Majority Standard Bible
Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church, praying and fasting as they entrusted them to the Lord, in whom they had believed.

New American Bible
They appointed presbyters for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lord in whom they had put their faith.

NET Bible
When they had appointed elders for them in the various churches, with prayer and fasting they entrusted them to the protection of the Lord in whom they had believed.

New Revised Standard Version
And after they had appointed elders for them in each church, with prayer and fasting they entrusted them to the Lord in whom they had come to believe.

New Heart English Bible
When they had appointed elders for them in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.

Webster's Bible Translation
And when they had ordained for them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

Weymouth New Testament
And in every Church, after prayer and fasting, they selected Elders by show of hands, and commended them to the Lord on whom their faith rested.

World English Bible
When they had appointed elders for them in every assembly, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord on whom they had believed.

Young's Literal Translation
and having appointed to them by vote elders in every assembly, having prayed with fastings, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Return to Syrian Antioch
22strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. 23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church, praying and fasting as they entrusted them to the Lord, in whom they had believed. 24After passing through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.…

Cross References
Luke 2:37
and then was a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.

Acts 1:24
And they prayed, "Lord, You know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two You have chosen

Acts 11:30
This they did, sending their gifts to the elders with Barnabas and Saul.

Acts 13:3
And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Acts 20:32
And now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified.

2 Corinthians 8:19
More than that, this brother was chosen by the churches to accompany us with the offering--the gracious gift we administer to honor the Lord Himself and to show our eagerness to help.

Titus 1:5
The reason I left you in Crete was that you would set in order what was unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

they had.

Acts 1:22
Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

Mark 3:14
And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,

1 Timothy 5:22
Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

elders.

Acts 11:30
Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

Acts 15:4,6,23
And 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 20:17
And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.

and had.

Acts 13:1-3
Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul…

they commended.

Acts 14:26
And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.

Acts 20:32
And 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.

Luke 23:46
And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

Jump to Previous
Appointed Assembly Barnabas Believed Chosen Church Commended Committed Elders Faith Fasting Fastings Food Hands Kept Ordained Paul Prayed Prayer Rested Rulers Selected Selection Show
Jump to Next
Appointed Assembly Barnabas Believed Chosen Church Commended Committed Elders Faith Fasting Fastings Food Hands Kept Ordained Paul Prayed Prayer Rested Rulers Selected Selection Show
Acts 14
1. Paul and Barnabas are persecuted from Iconium.
8. At Lystra Paul heals a cripple, whereupon they are reputed as gods.
19. Paul is stoned.
21. They pass through various churches, confirming the disciples in faith and patience.
26. Returning to Antioch, they report what God had done with them.














(23) And when they had ordained them elders.--The word for "ordained" occurs in the New Testament here and in 2Corinthians 8:19, where it is translated "chosen," and certainly seems to imply popular election (election by show of hands), which is, indeed, the natural meaning of the word. In Acts 10:41 a compound form of the verb is translated "chosen of God," and clearly excludes any action but that of the divine will. Used, as it is here, of the act of the two Apostles, not of the Church, the latter meaning seems most in harmony with the context. There may have been, as in Acts 6:3, a previous election; or the names of those who were to be appointed may have been submitted to the approval of the Church; but the word cannot in itself be held to imply either. On the institution of elders, see Note on Acts 11:30. It is interesting here to note (1) that Paul and Barnabas, by virtue of the authority which as Apostles they had received, primarily from Christ (Galatians 1:1) and mediately from the Church of Antioch (Acts 13:3), exercised the right of appointing, or, in later phrase, ordaining elders. (2) They plant among the Churches of the Gentiles the organisation which we have found in that of Jerusalem, and which was itself based on that of the Synagogue, not on that of the Temple. (3) As this appears as the first appointment, it would seem to follow that the disciples had in the meantime met, and taught, and baptised, and broken bread without them. Organisation of this kind was, i.e., important for the permanence of the life of the Church as such, but not essential to its being, or to the spiritual growth of individual members. (4) It will be remembered that the "elders" so appointed were the same as those who, in the Apostolic Church, were known as "bishops" or "overseers (episcopi), what we call distinctive episcopal functions being reserved for the Apostles, or for their personal representatives (1Timothy 4:16; Titus 1:5; see Note on Acts 20:28). . . . Verse 23. - 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, 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 ver. 26 the word used is παραδεδομένοι.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[Paul and Barnabas] appointed
Χειροτονήσαντες (Cheirotonēsantes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5500: From a comparative of cheir and teino; to be a hand-reacher or voter, i.e. to select or appoint.

elders
πρεσβυτέρους (presbyterous)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4245: Comparative of presbus; older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist or Christian 'presbyter'.

for them
αὐτοῖς (autois)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

in each
κατ’ (kat’)
Preposition
Strong's 2596: A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).

church,
ἐκκλησίαν (ekklēsian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1577: From a compound of ek and a derivative of kaleo; a calling out, i.e. a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation.

praying
προσευξάμενοι (proseuxamenoi)
Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4336: To pray, pray for, offer prayer. From pros and euchomai; to pray to God, i.e. Supplicate, worship.

[and]
μετὰ (meta)
Preposition
Strong's 3326: (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.

fasting
νηστειῶν (nēsteiōn)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 3521: Fasting, the day of atonement. From nesteuo; abstinence; specially, the fast of the Day of Atonement.

as they entrusted
παρέθεντο (parethento)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 3908: From para and tithemi; to place alongside, i.e. Present; by implication, to deposit.

them
αὐτοὺς (autous)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

to the
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Lord,
Κυρίῳ (Kyriō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

in
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

whom
ὃν (hon)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

they had believed.
πεπιστεύκεισαν (pepisteukeisan)
Verb - Pluperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4100: From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust.


Links
Acts 14:23 NIV
Acts 14:23 NLT
Acts 14:23 ESV
Acts 14:23 NASB
Acts 14:23 KJV

Acts 14:23 BibleApps.com
Acts 14:23 Biblia Paralela
Acts 14:23 Chinese Bible
Acts 14:23 French Bible
Acts 14:23 Catholic Bible

NT Apostles: Acts 14:23 When they had appointed elders for them (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
Acts 14:22
Top of Page
Top of Page