Acts 14:23

Acts 14:23 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)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 International Version (NIV)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.
• English Standard Version (ESV)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.
• New King James Version (NKJV)So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Context of Acts 14:23

21They preached the good news to that city and made many disciples, then they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22strengthening and establishing the hearts of the disciples; encouraging them to remain firm in the faith, saying, “It is through many tribulations and hardships that we must enter the kingdom of God.” 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]. 24Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25When they had spoken the word [of salvation through faith in Christ] in Perga, they went down to Attalia.

Acts 14:23 word by word

χειροτονήσαντες δὲ αὐτοῖς κατ᾽ ἐκκλησίαν πρεσβυτέρους, προσευξάμενοι μετὰ νηστειῶν παρέθεντο αὐτοὺς τῷ κυρίῳ εἰς ὃν πεπιστεύκεισαν.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Andδέde · thenG1161
• when they had ordainedχειροτονέωcheirotoneō · to appointG5500
• themαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• eldersπρεσβύτεροςpresbuteros · elder (leader)G4245
• in everyκατάkata · according toG2596
• churchἐκκλησίαekklēsia · assemblyG1577
• and had prayedπροσεύχομαιproseuchomai · to prayG4336
• withμετάmeta · with/afterG3326
• fastingνηστείαnēsteia · fastingG3521
• they commendedπαρατίθημιparatithēmi · to set beforeG3908
• to the Lordὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• to the Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962
• onεἰςeis · towardG1519
• whomὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• they believedπιστεύωpisteuō · to trust (in)G4100

Cross-references for Acts 14:23

• Acts 1:22beginning with the baptism by John [at the outset of Jesus’ ministry] until the day when He was taken up from us—one of these men must become a witness with us [to testify] of His resurrection.”
• Mark 3:14And He appointed twelve [disciples], so that they would be with Him [for instruction] and so that He could send them out to preach [the gospel as apostles—that is, as His special messengers, personally chosen representatives],
• 1 Timothy 5:22Do not hurry to lay hands on anyone [ordaining and approving someone for ministry or an office in the church, or in reinstating expelled offenders], and thereby share in the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin.
• 2 Timothy 2:2The things [the doctrine, the precepts, the admonitions, the sum of my ministry] which you have heard me teach in the presence of many witnesses, entrust [as a treasure] to reliable and faithful men who will also be capable and qualified to teach others.
• Acts 11:30And this they did, sending the contribution to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
• Acts 15:4When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were received warmly by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported to them all the things that God had accomplished through them.
• Acts 20:17However, from Miletus he sent word to Ephesus and summoned the elders of the church [to meet him there].
• 1 Timothy 5:1Do not sharply reprimand an older man, but appeal to him as [you would to] a father, to younger men as brothers,
• James 5:14Is anyone among you sick? He must call for the elders (spiritual leaders) of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord;
• 1 Peter 5:1Therefore, I strongly urge the elders among you [pastors, spiritual leaders of the church], as a fellow elder and as an eyewitness [called to testify] of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory that is to be revealed:
• 2 John 1:1The elder [of the church addresses this letter] to the elect (chosen) lady and her children, whom I love in truth—and not only I, but also all who know and understand the truth—
• 3 John 1:1The elder [of the church addresses this letter] to the beloved and esteemed Gaius, whom I love in truth.
• Acts 13:1Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets [who spoke a new message of God to the people] and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod [Antipas] the tetrarch, and Saul.
• Acts 14:26From there they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been entrusted to the grace of God for the work which they had now completed.
• Acts 20:32And now I commend you to God [placing you in His protective, loving care] and [I commend you] to the word of His grace [the counsel and promises of His unmerited favor]. His grace is able to build you up and to give you the [rightful] inheritance among all those who are sanctified [that is, among those who are set apart for God’s purpose—all believers].
• Luke 23:46And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit!” Having said this, He breathed His last.

Commentaries on Acts 14:23

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23When they had ordained them elders - Elder seems to be here the name of an office. These were all young or new converts, and yet among them the apostles constitute elders. They appointed persons the most experienced, and the most advanced in the Divine life, to watch over and instruct the rest. But what is the meaning of the word , which we translate ordained? The word ordain we use in an ecclesiastical sense, and signify by it the appointment of a person…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23And widen they had ordained - ́ cheirotonēsantesThe word “ordain” we now use in an ecclesiastical sense, to denote “a setting apart to an office by the imposition of hands.” But it is evident that the word here is not employed in that sense. That imposition of hands might have occurred in setting apart afterward to this office is certainly possible, but it is not implied in the word employed here, and did not take place in the transaction to which this…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 19-28Verses 19-28 See how restless the rage of the Jews was against the gospel of Christ. The people stoned Paul, in a popular tumult. So strong is the bent of the corrupt and carnal heart, that as it is with great difficulty that men are kept back from evil on one side, so it is with great ease they are persuaded to evil on the other side. If Paul would have been Mercury, he might have been worshipped; but if he will be a faithful minister of Christ, he shall…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 22-23The apostles worked hard to stay in contact with those who had declared their Christian faith. These new disciples needed care, support, and encouragement (15:32, 41; 16:40; 18:23; see 1 Thessalonians 3:2; 4:18; 5:14). Paul and Barnabas appointed elders: See “Church Leaders” Theme Note.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 23-2423-24. when they had ordained them elders--literally, "chosen by show of hands." But as that would imply that this was done by the apostles' own hands, many render the word, as in our version, "ordained." Still, as there is no evidence in the New Testament that the word had then lost its proper meaning, as this is beyond doubt its meaning in 2Co 8:19, and as there is indisputable evidence that the concurrence of the people was required in all elections to…Read the comment

Topics related to Acts 14:23

• Church
• Elder
• Fasting
• Lystra
• Minister, Christian
• Paul
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Confirm
• Cripple
• Fast
• Pisidia
• Raise
• Unbelieving
• Abstinence
• Acts of the Apostles
• Apostle
• Bishop

Commentaries on Acts 14

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings