Acts 14 23

Acts 14:23 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.

Acts 14:23 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.

Acts 14:23 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.

Acts 14:23 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.

Acts 14:23 nlt

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.

Acts 14 verses

Acts 14 23 Meaning

Acts 14:23 describes the actions of Paul and Barnabas as they returned through the cities where they had evangelized and planted churches during their first missionary journey. Their primary work upon revisiting these new communities was to formally establish spiritual leadership. They "appointed elders for them in every church," indicating a systematic approach to ensuring pastoral care and sound doctrine for the nascent congregations. This vital task was undertaken "with prayer and fasting," underscoring the spiritual solemnity and reliance on divine guidance for such weighty decisions. Finally, they "committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed," signifying an entrustment of these churches and their newly appointed leaders to God's care, protection, and provision, acknowledging that ultimate growth and perseverance come from Him alone.

Acts 14 23 Context

Acts chapter 14 describes the intense experiences of Paul and Barnabas during their first missionary journey. After enduring persecution and miraculous interventions in Iconium, they heal a lame man in Lystra, leading to them being mistaken for gods and nearly worshipped, followed by Paul being stoned and left for dead. Despite these dramatic events, they pressed on, preaching the Gospel and making disciples in Derbe. This verse, Acts 14:23, marks their return journey. Instead of rushing back to Antioch, they revisited the very cities where they had just faced severe opposition (Lystra, Iconium, and Pisidian Antioch). Their purpose was not merely a farewell visit, but a crucial step in church consolidation. They encouraged the new believers to "continue in the faith" (v. 22) amidst expected "tribulations" (v. 22) and then proceeded to organize the nascent communities by installing indigenous leadership. This systematic approach ensured that the new churches had a stable structure, proper pastoral oversight, and continued access to sound teaching in the apostles' absence. This highlights a critical aspect of early church planting: evangelism leading to conversion, followed by discipleship and the establishment of local, enduring leadership.

Acts 14 23 Word analysis

• And (Καί - Kai): A simple conjunction connecting the previous verse (exhortation to continue in the faith) with the subsequent action of appointing leaders. It signals the natural progression of apostolic ministry: preaching, discipleship, then establishing structure.
• when they had appointed (χειροτονήσαντες - cheirotonēsantes): The Greek term cheirotoneō literally means "to stretch out the hand," and historically referred to voting (raising hands) or choosing by public show. However, in the New Testament context, especially here and in 2 Cor 8:19 (where the sense is "chosen by the churches"), and crucially, the consistent practice depicted, it denotes appointment, authorization, or installation by apostolic authority. Paul and Barnabas, as apostles, were installing the leadership, not simply tallying congregational votes, though consensus was implied (Acts 6:3-5). This suggests a divinely guided, authoritative act rather than solely a democratic process, for a vital, strategic church position.
• elders (πρεσβυτέρους - presbyterous): Plural, signifying a plurality of leaders in each church. From presbyteros, meaning "older person," but used here as an official title for spiritual overseers. These individuals were mature, reputable believers qualified to lead, teach, and care for the flock (1 Tim 3:1-7; Tit 1:5-9). This office is largely synonymous with "overseer" or "bishop" (episkopos) in the New Testament, emphasizing spiritual leadership and pastoral oversight.
• for them (αὐτοῖς - autois): Refers to the local believers/disciples in each church. The elders were appointed for the benefit and spiritual welfare of the congregations, to provide guidance and stability.
• in every church (κατ' ἐκκλησίαν - kat' ekklēsian): Ekklēsia means "assembly" or "called-out ones," referring to the local congregation of believers. The use of "every" and the singular "church" emphasizes a consistent, deliberate, and widespread strategy of establishing leadership across all the new believing communities, indicating a structured and organized church planting model.
• with (μετά - meta): Indicates accompaniment or instrumentality. These acts of appointing were accompanied by, and infused with, prayer and fasting.
• prayer (προσευχαῖς - proseuchais): Plural, indicating consistent or specific acts of prayer. Prayer signifies reliance on God's wisdom and guidance for such a crucial task, seeking divine affirmation and empowerment for the chosen leaders. It highlights the spiritual nature of church leadership selection.
• and fasting (καὶ νηστείαις - kai nēsteiais): Plural. Fasting, a discipline of self-denial and concentrated devotion, often accompanies intense prayer in moments of significant decision-making or spiritual warfare (Acts 13:3). It signifies a deep spiritual earnestness, submission to God's will, and a seeking of His clarity in the weighty matter of leadership appointment.
• they committed (παρέθεντο - parethento): From paratithemai, meaning "to place beside, entrust, commend." This signifies an act of entrusting, presenting, or commending the churches and their newly appointed leaders to God. It indicates releasing them into God's sovereign care and provision.
• them (αὐτούς - autous): Refers to the churches and by extension, their leaders and members. They were committed to the Lord for their sustenance, protection, and spiritual growth.
• to the Lord (τῷ Κυρίῳ - tō Kyriō): Kyrios, "Lord," here refers to Jesus Christ. It is an acknowledgment that ultimate authority, headship, and care for the church rest with Him. Paul and Barnabas were delegating, but the ultimate shepherd is Christ Himself.
• in whom they had believed (εἰς ὃν πεπιστεύκεσαν - eis hon pepisteukesan): This phrase reaffirms the core faith of the missionaries and the believers. The churches were committed to the same Lord in whom all present had placed their trust for salvation. It underlines that the entire endeavor—from evangelism to church structure—is founded upon belief in Jesus Christ.

• "Appointed elders...in every church": This group of words emphasizes the systematic and intentional establishment of localized, plural leadership. It reveals a standard operating procedure for church planting, ensuring sustainability and continuity of the faith beyond the apostles' presence. This plurality provides accountability, diverse giftings, and shared responsibility in ministry, protecting the flock.
• "with prayer and fasting": This phrase highlights the profound spiritual seriousness and reliance on divine guidance for significant acts of ministry, especially leadership selection. It underscores that appointing spiritual leaders is not a human administrative task but a Spirit-led process.
• "committed them to the Lord": This signifies the apostles' profound trust in God's sovereignty and care for His church. It implies that while human agents play a role, the ultimate preservation and growth of the church depend on God. It also sets a theological precedent that the church belongs to Christ, not its human leaders or founders.
• "in whom they had believed": This phrase serves as a foundational affirmation of shared faith. The commitment to the Lord is rooted in the common belief held by both the apostles and the new disciples. It signifies that the basis of all Christian community and action is trust in Jesus Christ.

Acts 14 23 Bonus section

The structure outlined in Acts 14:23, specifically the appointment of plural elders, establishes a model for self-governing, self-supporting, and self-propagating churches. This pattern was crucial for the expansion of the Gospel because it allowed the apostles to move to unreached areas, confident that established communities could continue to flourish under local, qualified leadership. The consistent practice of "committing them to the Lord" after establishing human structures reveals a profound balance between diligent human effort in ministry and absolute reliance on God's sovereignty for the church's ultimate preservation and growth. This biblical pattern underscores the necessity of both divine call and human responsibility in establishing and sustaining God's Kingdom on earth.

Acts 14 23 Commentary

Acts 14:23 encapsulates a critical aspect of early Christian missions: the move from initial evangelism to church consolidation and structured leadership. Paul and Barnabas, having initiated the churches through preaching, intentionally revisited them not merely for encouragement but for organizational establishment. The "appointment of elders" was vital. This wasn't merely a democratic election but an apostolic installation of Spirit-qualified, mature men to provide local, ongoing leadership and shepherding. The plurality of elders in "every church" speaks to the distributed nature of leadership and accountability within the early communities, moving away from sole leadership to shared responsibility.

The phrase "with prayer and fasting" reveals the spiritual depth and reliance on God inherent in this task. It indicates that selecting and commissioning church leaders is a weighty spiritual undertaking that requires earnest seeking of God's will, divine wisdom, and empowering grace. It highlights that the process is superintended by God, not merely human acumen.

Finally, "they committed them to the Lord" expresses profound trust in Christ's ownership and sustained care for His church. Having done their part in evangelism and establishing structure, Paul and Barnabas entrusted these vulnerable new congregations to the sovereign God in whom both they and the believers had placed their faith. This act acknowledges that God ultimately builds and sustains His church, providing for its needs even in the apostles' absence. This verse serves as a foundational pattern for church planting, emphasizing the need for robust, indigenous, Spirit-led leadership, divinely entrusted to Christ's ongoing headship.