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 14:23KJV
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Acts 14:23 (KJV)

What does Acts 14:23 mean?

Acts 14:23 describes how Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for each church they had started, praying and fasting as they did so, and then entrusted these new leaders to the Lord in whom the believers had put their faith. This verse shows a careful and prayerful process of establishing leadership in the early Christian communities.

Paul and Barnabas are traveling through new churches in the region, making sure that each group of believers has mature leaders, called elders, to guide them. The verse highlights their reliance on prayer and fasting, showing that they did not take these decisions lightly. After appointing the elders, they committed them to the Lord, trusting God to care for and guide these new leaders and their churches.

The Greek behind Acts 14:23

  • "ordained" (χειροτονέω, cheirotoneō): This Greek word often means to appoint or choose by raising hands, suggesting a deliberate and possibly communal decision. It emphasizes that the selection of elders was intentional and recognized by the group.
  • "elders" (πρεσβύτερος, presbyteros): This word refers to mature leaders or overseers in the church, highlighting the importance of experienced guidance for these early Christian communities.
  • "church" (ἐκκλησία, ekklēsia): In Greek, this word means an assembly or gathering, not a building, reminding us that these were groups of people meeting together as followers of Jesus.
  • "commended" (παρατίθημι, paratithēmi): This word means to entrust or commit someone to another’s care. Paul and Barnabas did not just leave the elders on their own—they entrusted them to God’s ongoing care and guidance.

Why Acts 14:23 matters

  • Acts 14:23 clarifies that leadership in the early church was established thoughtfully, with prayer and fasting, not just by human decision or popularity.
  • The verse shows that Paul and Barnabas trusted God to continue guiding the churches after they left, emphasizing both human responsibility and divine oversight.
  • This verse connects to the wider story in Acts, showing how the early Christian movement grew and organized itself as it spread to new places.

Where else these words appear

“ordained” Greek G5500 · used in 4 verses

  • 2 Corinthians 8:19 And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:
  • 2 Timothy 4:22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. The second epistle unto Timotheus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians, was written from Rome, when Paul was brought before Nero the second time.
  • Titus 3:15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen. It was written to Titus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Cretians, from Nicopolis of Macedonia.

“fasting” Greek G3521 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
  • Luke 2:37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
  • 1 Corinthians 7:5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

“commended” Greek G3908 · used in 18 verses

  • Matthew 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
  • Luke 9:16 Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.
  • Acts 17:3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

“elders” Greek G4245 · used in 67 verses

  • Matthew 15:2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
  • Luke 15:25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
  • 1 Timothy 5:2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.