What does apostleship mean?
Apostleship is a noun denoting the office, status, or mission of an apostle — one who is sent forth with authority to proclaim a message. Its primary sense is rooted in Christianity, where it describes the role held by figures such as Peter and Paul: commissioned leadership in spreading the gospel and founding churches. The New Testament treats apostleship as both a sacred calling and a formal office, which is why the word carries connotations of divine commissioning, authority, and personal sacrifice. By extension, writers have used it figuratively for any zealous crusade on behalf of a belief or reform, as in 'an apostleship for social justice.' The term is formal and relatively rare in everyday speech, appearing chiefly in theological writing, church history, and elevated literary prose. It derives from 'apostle,' itself from Greek 'apostolos' (one sent out), combined with the English suffix '-ship' denoting condition or office.
nounThe position, office, or vocation of an apostle; the work or mission of spreading a religious message, especially the Christian gospel.
- The office or status of being an apostle, especially in the early Christian church.
- More broadly, a zealous mission of propagating a religious or moral cause.
"He devoted his life to the apostleship, carrying the faith to distant lands."
"Matthias was chosen to fill the apostleship vacated by Judas Iscariot."
"She regarded her humanitarian work as a kind of secular apostleship."
Rarely used; the plural typically appears when referring collectively to the offices of several apostles.
"The early church records speak of several apostleships established across Asia Minor."
Paul defended his 'apostleship' so fiercely in his letters that the word became a legal-sounding credential — proof he answered to no human authority but was sent directly by God.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of apostleship
Apostleship is formed from 'apostle' plus the Old English suffix '-ship', which denotes a state, condition, or office. 'Apostle' comes from Greek 'apostolos', meaning 'one who is sent out', derived from 'apostellein' (to send off), via Latin 'apostolus' and Old French 'apostle'. The compound entered English in the medieval period alongside other '-ship' formations such as 'lordship' and 'worship'. Cognates include 'apostolic' and 'apostolate', all tracing back to the same Greek root.
How apostleship is actually used
A formal, largely religious term. Outside Christian contexts it appears mostly in literary or elevated prose describing fervent advocacy of a cause. The plural is rare and typically refers to multiple individuals' offices collectively.
Easily confused with apostleship
Discipleship refers to being a follower or learner of a teacher, while apostleship refers to being one sent out with authority to spread a message.