Greek word · G2003

ἐπιταγή

epitagē

command

A command, injunction or authoritative order. It is also used of royal or divine decrees.

Appears 6 times in 6 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 24, 2026

What it means

ἐπι-ταγή, -ῆς, ἡ

(ἐπιτάσσω), [in LXX: Dan LXX 3:16 (פִּתְגָּם), I Esther 1:18, Wisdom of Solomon 14:16 18:16 19:6, 3Ma.7:20 * ;]

= cl., ἐπίταγμα,

a command, Romans 16:26, 1 Corinthians 7:6 7:25, 2 Corinthians 8:8, 1 Timothy 1:1, Titus 1:3 (for use in Inscr. of divine commands, see MM, Exp., xiv); μετὰ πάσης ἐ, with all authority: Titus 2:15.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

Range of meaning: A command, injunction or authoritative order. It is also used of royal or divine decrees.
Against the English: 'Command(ment)' is accurate. The point is what kind: a binding directive from the Lord, not 'inspiration' in general.
Used elsewhere in the period: Used in inscriptions and papyri for orders given by authorities, and in the Septuagint and Wisdom of Solomon for royal decrees. Paul uses it in 1 Cor 7:6 ('by way of concession, not of command'), 2 Cor 8:8 and Rom 16:26 ('the command of the eternal God').

Range of meaning: An order, command or injunction from someone with the right to give it. It is related to the verb epitassō, 'to give orders, to put in charge'. It can mean a royal or official decree, or a command from a deity. In Paul it also appears in 'not by way of command' (1 Cor 7:6; 2 Cor 8:8), where he sets advice apart from binding orders.
Against the English: 'Command'/'commandment' is accurate. 'By the command of' can sound like a loose 'with God's approval', but the Greek is firmer: Paul acts under an order he received.
Used elsewhere in the period: Greek dedicatory inscriptions often use the same phrase, kat᾽ epitagēn, 'by command' of a god, for altars and gifts set up because a deity ordered it, often in a dream (Moulton–Milligan; Deissmann). In the NT, see Rom 16:26 ('according to the command of the eternal God') and Titus 1:3 ('according to the command of God our Savior'). Wisdom 14:16 and 18:16 use it of royal or divine decrees.

Range of meaning: An order or injunction issued by someone with authority: a ruler's decree, a god's command, an official instruction. In the New Testament it is used of God's command (Rom 16:26; 1 Tim 1:1; Titus 1:3) and of an apostle's authoritative directive (1 Cor 7:6, 25; 2 Cor 8:8). The phrase kat' epitagēn means "by way of command, as an order."
Against the English: English "command" is accurate. What English can miss is that Paul uses the phrase as a standard disclaimer. He has the standing to issue binding orders (compare Philemon 8: he could be "bold enough to order you") and deliberately declines to.
Used elsewhere in the period: Common in Hellenistic Greek inscriptions and papyri for orders from officials or deities, e.g. dedications made kat' epitagēn, "by command" of a god. The nearest parallel is Paul's own 1 Cor 7:6: "I say this by way of concession, not kat' epitagēn."

1 Corinthians · 2

1 Corinthians 7:6 ἐπιταγήν. command.

I say this as a concession, not as a command.
1 Corinthians 7:25 ἐπιταγὴν a commandment

Now about virgins, I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.

Here: An authoritative directive that has to be obeyed. Put first in its clause for emphasis: a *command* is exactly what Paul lacks.

2 Corinthians · 1

2 Corinthians 8:8 ἐπιταγὴν a command

I am not giving a command, but I am testing the sincerity of your love through the earnestness of others.

Here: An authoritative directive, the kind a superior issues. Paul uses the same phrase in 1 Corinthians 7:6 to separate his advice from a binding order.

1 Timothy · 1

1 Timothy 1:1 ἐπιταγὴν [the] command

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,

Here: An authoritative order, the language of a decree from a superior. It is stronger than Paul's usual 'through the will of God'. He did not take the role on himself. He was ordered into it.

Titus · 2

Titus 1:3 ἐπιταγὴν [the] commandment

In His own time He has made His word evident in the proclamation entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior.

Here: An authoritative order from a superior. Paul did not volunteer or appoint himself; he acts under orders.
Titus 2:15 ἐπιταγῆς. authority.

Speak these things as you encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

Here: Literally 'a command'. It means the authority of someone who is under orders and passing them on. In Titus 1:3 Paul says the preaching was entrusted to him 'by the command (epitagē) of God our Saviour'.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.