What Does Acts 15:17 Mean in the King James?
That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The Lord’s nature is already called over the nations who seek him, so seeking begins inside belonging.
THE MEANING
Humanity’s remnant seeks the Lord, and the nations bear the Lord’s name over them. Seeking and belonging appear together, while the Lord is actively bringing this reality about.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The Lord’s name is only for one people, while the nations remain outside any claim of belonging.
THE ROOT
ἐπικέκληται
epikeklētai
GROWS FROM
καλέω (kaleō), with ἐπι- (epi-, upon)
To call, summon, or invite.
“called upon” in this verse is epikeklētai. The Greek is a perfect passive: the name has already been invoked over them, so the nations are described as bearing a relation to the Lord before their seeking is named. The call-family also gives us κλῆσις (klēsis, calling) and ἐκκλησία (ekklēsia, assembly), bringing calling and gathered belonging close together in the language.
ALSO GROWS
klēsis: Calling, invitation.
κλῆσις
The same call-family can name both the act of calling and a calling that draws someone into relation.
ekklēsia: Assembly, gathering.
ἐκκλησία
This branch shows how calling and gathering belong to the same word-family, echoing the verse’s inclusion of the nations.
ὄνομα
onoma
GROWS FROM
ὀνοματ-
onomat-
Name: the word or designation by which someone is known.
The verse says the Lord’s name is called over the nations, placing the Lord’s own nature over them. The name is more than a detached label; it expresses the character of the one whose name rests on them.
ALSO GROWS
onomazō: To name, designate, or mention.
ὀνομάζω
This verb makes the act of naming explicit, as the verse does with the Lord’s name over the nations.
epōnymos: Named after, or bearing someone’s name.
ἐπώνυμος
It carries the sense of a name borne in relation to another, illuminating the verse’s phrase ‘upon whom my name is called.’
ἐκζητήσωσιν
ekzētēsōsin
GROWS FROM
ζητέω
zēteō
To seek, search, or inquire.
“seek after” in this verse is ekzētēsōsin. The form ἐκζητέω (ekzēteō) intensifies the searching: it is seeking out, with active inquiry. The verse places this searching alongside the Lord’s name already called over the nations.
ALSO GROWS
zētēsis: Inquiry, question, or investigation.
ζήτησις
This branch shows that seeking includes an active search for understanding.
syzēteō: To seek or discuss together.
συζητέω
The same root can describe shared inquiry, expanding seeking beyond solitary pursuit.
THE PATTERN
The Lord’s name and blessing extend across peoples, gathering them into approach to him.
And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.THE THREAD
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.Acts uses ἐπικαλέω (epikaleō) passively for the Lord’s name called over the nations; Romans uses the same verb actively for whoever calls upon the Lord’s name. Together, the verses show the same call moving both ways: the name rests on the nations, and anyone may call upon it.
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