apostle

[ uh-pos-uhl ]

noun

1. any of the early followers of Jesus who carried the Christian message into the world:

   Not all of Jesus’ followers named in the New Testament are considered apostles, but Paul, Barnabas, and Mary Magdalene certainly meet the criteria.

2. Sometimes Apostle. in the Bible, any of the original 12 disciples called by Jesus to preach the gospel: Simon Peter, the brothers James and John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alpheus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas Iscariot.
3. the first or the best-known Christian missionary in any region or country.

   St. Patrick and Palladius have both been dubbed “the apostle of Ireland.”

4. Eastern Church. one of the 70 disciples of Jesus.
5. the title of the highest ecclesiastical official in certain Protestant sects.
6. one of the 12 administrative officials of the Mormon Church.
7. a pioneer of any new system or cause, especially an early leader in a reform movement:

   He has emerged as an apostle of a new era of peace and national unity.

8. a loyal supporter or follower:

   Our company’s apostles are motivated by the service they can render for the good of the organization.

9. Nautical. a knighthead, especially one having its top projecting and used as a bitt or bollard.

apostle

/ əˈpɒsəl /

noun

1. often capital one of the 12 disciples chosen by Christ to preach his gospel
2. any prominent Christian missionary, esp one who first converts a nation or people
3. an ardent early supporter of a cause, reform movement, etc
4. Mormon Church a member of a council of twelve officials appointed to administer and preside over the Church

Other Words From

• a·pos·tle·hood a·pos·tle·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of apostle¹

First recorded before 950; Middle English apostle, apostol, apostul, from Old English apostol and Old French apostle, from Late Latin apostolus, from Greek apóstolos “ambassador, messenger,” literally, “one sent out,” noun derivative of apostéllein “to send off,” from apo- apo- + stéllein “to gather, make ready, send”; epistle

Word History and Origins

Origin of apostle¹

Old English apostol, from Church Latin apostolus, from Greek apostolos a messenger, from apostellein to send forth

Example Sentences

The order came in the form of a letter sent by the first presidency of the church, a group of three individuals whom believers consider apostles, to global church leaders.

From Washington Post

One day, Jesus encounters the apostle Paul telling stories about the death and resurrection of Jesus, and tries to stop him, explaining that you can’t save people with a story based on lies.

From Vox

Unlike da Vinci’s neat row of people sitting at the table, this one depicts the same apostles sitting about casually after the Passover Seder meal.

From Washington Post

The free market apostles wanted to erase the role of the state.

From Time

To paraphrase the apostle Matthew, Warnock may have to serve two masters, electorally speaking.

From Washington Post

In a 2009 interview, Church apostle Dallin H. Oaks held that the Church “does not have a position” on that point.

From The Daily Beast

Bhatiyarov, the faithful apostle, has the perfect CV for a Dugin operative.

From The Daily Beast

In 1841, Smith sent his “personal apostle” Orson Hyde to the ancient Jewish capital.

From The Daily Beast

She sobbed; he lifted her chin with his free hand—and what less could mortal apostle do?

From Project Gutenberg

Its hiding-place was discovered by angelic music which issued from the mouth of the cave on every vigil of the holy apostle.

From Project Gutenberg

The teetotal apostle says it is a dreadful thing to be drunk.

From Project Gutenberg

He immediately arose, and began to describe the personal appearance of the great apostle to the Gentiles.

From Project Gutenberg

The Socialist deputy raised his head, and scrutinized Sangiorgio with his cunning eyes, those of an overrascally apostle.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• proponent

More About Apostle

What does apostle mean?

The word apostle most commonly refers to one of the 12 original disciples, or followers, who Jesus assembled to follow him and preach his message.

According to the Bible, the 12 apostles were Simon Peter, the brothers James and John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alpheus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas Iscariot. When used to refer to one of these 12, the word is sometimes capitalized.

In the Eastern Church, apostle refers to one of 70 original disciples of Jesus. Sometimes, it refers to any of the early followers of Jesus, though the word disciple is more commonly used this way.

The word is also used as a title of certain church officials, such as in some Protestant sects or in the Mormon Church.

Example: My favorite story about Jesus and the 12 apostles is when they fed all those people with just a few loaves and fishes.

Where does apostle come from?

The first records of the word apostle in English come from before the mid-900s. It comes from the Old English apostol, which derives from the Greek apóstolos, meaning “one who is sent.”

Two of the Gospels (accounts of Jesus’s life and teachings in the New Testament) are attributed to a few of the original, capital-A Apostles—Matthew and John. These accounts tell the story of how the Apostles were chosen by Jesus and their travels with him before he eventually sent them to go out and spread Christianity.

Apart from its use to refer to the original followers of Jesus—whether it refers to 12 or 70 or just the first ones in general—the word came to be used in several other ways referring to people following in the footsteps of the first Apostles. In general, it can refer to a prominent Christian missionary. More specifically, it’s used as a title for certain church leaders. Although the term is almost always used in the context of Christianity, it can also generally refer to a pioneer of any reform movement.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to apostle?

• apostolic (adjective)
• apostlehood (noun)
• apostleship (noun)

What are some synonyms for apostle?

• disciple

What are some words that share a root or word element with apostle? 

 

• apostasy
• apostolate
• apostrophe
• apology

What are some words that often get used in discussing apostle?

 

• twelve
• follower
• follow
• Jesus
• gospel
• Christian
• missionary

How is apostle used in real life?

Apostle is almost always used in a religious context. When capitalized, it refers to one of the original followers of Jesus.

I come to the Central African Republic as a pilgrim of peace and as an apostle of hope.

— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) November 29, 2015

 

Working out with no headphones today. I could be wrong, but I think this is what the Apostle Paul was referring to in Phil. 4:13.

— Sean Lowe (@SeanLowe09) November 13, 2017

In today’s First Reading, we see the spiritual house of the Church being built up, as the Apostles consecrate seven deacons so they can devote themselves more fully to the “ministry of the Word.”

— Catholic Church (@catholicEW) May 10, 2020

Try using apostle!

Which of the following people was NOT one of the original 12 apostles?

A. Matthew
B. Paul
C. John
D. Judas