Hello my name is Lance and I am a Senior Associate Pastor in Austin, Texas. I recently listened to some material where the minister was discussing the Greek word for apostle and how it came from a Phoenician military term. I have done some research but can't seem to come up with the same information. I am very interested to learn more about this subject. Thank you for taking the time to read this email and I would appreciate any help you could offer.

According to The Theological Dictionary of New the Testament (Kittle) and The Dictionary of New Testament Theology (Brown) the word “apostolos” was originally used in maritime language to designate a “cargo vessel” or the fleet sent out on a military/colonizing expedition. At later times it became the word used to refer to the commander of the invading/colonizing force, or to the group of colonists that were sent to “Hellenize” a region.

F.F. Bruce in his book, Paul and the Agon Motif makes reference also to this early use of the title “apostolos.” This use of the title was antiquated by the time of Jesus because the Greek Empire was no longer in existence. During the era of Greek expansion (Hellenization) these colonizing fleets were responsible for the tremendous affect that Greece (Helenes) was to have upon the Mediterranean world. As the Greeks conquered nations and areas they established their language, culture, architecture, and science. This was the affect/purpose of the “apostolos.”

By the time of the New Testament, “apostolos” was simply a word for the authority that accompanied one sent on a mission – especially to an area of some distance, or different culture.

Geof W. Jackson, bio
Director of the Grace School of Ministry/Director of Pastoral Care