Lexical Summary egkaleó: To accuse, to charge, to call into account Original Word: ἐγκαλέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance accuse, call in question, lay to the charge. From en and kaleo; to call in (as a debt or demand), i.e. Bring to account (charge, criminate, etc.) -- accuse, call in question, implead, lay to the charge. see GREEK en see GREEK kaleo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom en and kaleó Definition to call in (as a debt or demand), i.e. bring to account NASB Translation accused (4), accusing (1), bring a charge (1), bring charges against (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1458: ἐγκαλέωἐγκαλέω (see ἐν, III. 3) ἐγκάλω; future ἐγκαλέσω; imperfect ἐνεκάλουν; (present passive ἐγκαλοῦμαι); properly, to call (something) in someone (ἐν (i. e. probably in his case; or possibly, as rooted in him)); hence, to call to account, bring a charge against, accuse: as in classic Greek followed by the dative of the person (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 30, 9 a.), Acts 19:38; Acts 23:28 (Sir. 46:19); κατά with the genitive of the person to come forward as accuser against, bring a charge against: Romans 8:33. Passive to be accused (cf. Buttmann, § 134, 4 (sec. 133, 9; yet cf. Meyer on Acts as below, Winer's Grammar, as above)); with the genitive of the thing: στάσεως, Acts 19:40, (ἀσεβείας ἐς τόν Τιβεριον ἐγκληθείς, Dio Cassius, 58, 4; active with the dative of the person and the genitive of the thing, Plutarch, Aristotle 10, 9; see Winers Grammar, as above; Matthiae, § 369); περί τούτων, ὧν ἐγκαλοῦμαι, unless this is to be resolved into περί τούτων ἅ, etc., according to the well-known construction ἐγκάλειν τίνι τί, Acts 26:2; περί τίνος (active, Diodorus 11, 83) Acts 23:29; Acts 26:7 (Buttmann, § 133, 9). (In Greek writings from Sophocles and Xenophon down.) (Synonym: see κατηγορέω, at the end.) Topical Lexicon Essential Sense and Legal Background The verb translated “to bring a charge” functions as a technical forensic term drawn from the Greco-Roman court system. It evokes the formal lodging of a legal complaint before a magistrate, presupposing a public forum, documentary evidence, and potential penalties. Although other New Testament words describe accusation in general, this verb highlights the procedural step that initiates judicial scrutiny. Whenever it appears, a courtroom atmosphere—whether earthly or heavenly—comes into view. Occurrences in Acts: A Window into Paul’s Trials 1. Acts 19:38–40 – In Ephesus the city clerk appeals to legal order: “the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can bring charges against one another… we are in danger of being charged with rioting.” The term underscores Rome’s expectation that grievances be settled by due process, not mob action. Across these passages the term: Romans 8:33 and the Doctrine of Justification “Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.” Here the same courtroom imagery is lifted from earthly courts to the bar of heaven. The potential prosecutor cannot prevail because: This single sentence extends the theme running through Acts: charges against believers ultimately collapse, whether in Caesarea or before the throne of God. Historical and Cultural Insights • Provincial procedure allowed private persons to file a libellus (written accusation) invoking the verb in question. Ministry Significance and Pastoral Application • Expectation of False Accusation – “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). The verb reminds the church that hostility often takes legal shape. Old Testament Echoes and Broader Biblical Links • Job 1–2 – Satan “comes to present himself” and raise accusations; the heavenly scene anticipates Romans 8:33-34. Summary Across seven New Testament appearances, the term translated “to bring a charge” ties together historical narrative, legal reality, and redemptive truth. It shows Paul navigating Roman courts, exposes the futility of human accusations, and culminates in the gospel promise that no indictment can overturn God’s declarative righteousness. For every generation of Christians the word stands as a reminder that the ultimate courtroom verdict has already been rendered: justified, forever. Forms and Transliterations εγκαλεισθαι εγκαλείσθαι ἐγκαλεῖσθαι εγκαλειτωσαν εγκαλείτωσαν ἐγκαλείτωσαν εγκαλεσει εγκαλέσει ἐγκαλέσει εγκαλουμαι εγκαλούμαι ἐγκαλοῦμαι εγκαλουμένης εγκαλουμενον εγκαλούμενον ἐγκαλούμενον εγκαλών έγκαρπον έγκατα εγκατάλειμμα εγκαταλείμματα εγκαταλείμματά εγκάτοις εκκαλύπτει ενεκάλεσαν ενεκαλουν ενέκαλουν ἐνεκάλουν κατακρυβώσιν enekaloun enekáloun enkaleisthai enkaleîsthai enkaleitosan enkaleitōsan enkaleítosan enkaleítōsan enkalesei enkalései enkaloumai enkaloûmai enkaloumenon enkaloúmenonLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 19:38 V-PMA-3PGRK: ἀνθύπατοί εἰσιν ἐγκαλείτωσαν ἀλλήλοις NAS: and proconsuls are [available]; let them bring charges against one another. KJV: deputies: let them implead one another. INT: procounsuls there are let them accuse one another Acts 19:40 V-PNM/P Acts 23:28 V-IIA-3P Acts 23:29 V-PPM/P-AMS Acts 26:2 V-PIM/P-1S Acts 26:7 V-PIM/P-1S Romans 8:33 V-FIA-3S Strong's Greek 1458 |
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