ψευδαπόστολος (G5570) — Greek Lexicon

ψευδαπόστολος

pseudapóstolos

G5570 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A person who falsely claims the status or authority of an apostle, one who acts as an apostle but is not truly commissioned or authorized as such. In extended usage, can denote a person whose message or credentials as a representative are counterfeit or illegitimate, particularly in the context of early communities where apostolic authority was significant.

Semantic Range

one who falsely claims to be an apostle, illegitimate emissary, spurious delegate, fraudulently self-proclaimed representative, impostor with respect to apostolic office

Root / Etymology

Compound of ψευδής (false, lying) and ἀπόστολος (one who is sent, emissary, delegate, apostle).

Historical & Contextual Notes

ψευδαπόστολος appears only in later Koine sources, notably in 2 Corinthians 11:13, with no known usage in classical Greek prior to the New Testament period. The term directly labels opponents as illegitimate claimants to 'apostolic' authority—a title with evolving significance in the first-century context. While English tradition often translates as 'false apostle' or 'false teacher,' the Greek construction emphasizes fraudulent or spurious claims to the specific authority of an ἀπόστολος, and not just any kind of teacher or leader. In contrast to ψευδοδιδάσκαλος ('false teacher'), this word targets the authenticity of the individual's commission and representation. The use of the apostolic title carried particular weight among early assemblies, where credentials and legitimacy were contested. The word is rare, and its primary locus in polemical discourse outlines it as an accusation rather than a generic descriptor. The standard translation 'false apostle' in English captures the general force but can obscure the polemical context and focus on authority claims rather than doctrinal content alone.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ψευδής and ἀπόστολος; a spurious apostle, i.e. pretended pracher:--false teacher.

Root Family

ψευδαπόστολος (pseudapóstolos) — false, lying; sent one, emissary, commissioned delegate

Root ψευδ-ἀποστ- false, lying; sent, commission, emissary

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G5570-01`	ψευδαπόστολοι	pseudapostoloi	`N NOM M PL`	false apostles	false apostles	false apostles	1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G5570-01`	2 Corinthians 11:13	ψευδαπόστολοι	pseudapostoloi	`N NOM M PL`	false apostles	false apostles	false apostles

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