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ELDERS
Designations. There are two basic terms that
identify the office of elder.
(1) Presbyters. The first term is elder (Gk.
presbuteros), which identifies someone who is older as a
Christian. It may be used in a literal sense for an older man (1
Tim. 5:1) or an older woman (1 Tim. 5:2). It may also be used in
a figurative sense for leaders, such as members of the Sanhedrin
(Acts 4:5) or church leaders (Acts 14:23; 15:2, 4, 6).
Presbuteros also stresses the dignity and maturity of the
office. Eld ers have authority to distribute money (Acts 11:30);
they have authority to make decisions concerning what
constitutes orthodox doctrine (Acts 15:2, 4, 6, 22; 16:2); they
receive reports about missionary work (Acts 20:17; 21:18); they
are to be respected (1 Tim. 5:17), yet they are not to be
dictators (1 Pet. 5:1endash 3); they are to visit the sick and
pray for them, offering counsel and encouragement24
(James 5:14).
(2) Overseers. The second term related to the office of
elder is overseer (“bishop” in KJV; Gk. episkopos).
This term means “to watch over” like a shepherd. It stresses the
work or function of the elder. It is his duty to nurture and
feed the flock of God entrusted to him (cf. Acts 20:28; 1 Tim.
3:2; Tit. 1:7). A comparison of Acts 20:17, 28 and Titus 1:5, 7
reveals that elder and overseer are used interchangeably,
denoting the same office. The important distinction is that
presbuteros stresses the dignity of the office while
episkopos emphasizes the work.
Qualifications. The qualifications of elders are
set forth in 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:5–9. Elders are to be
typified by the following fifteen characteristics. Above
reproach: he is one who “can’t be censored” ; there is nothing
in his life for which to accuse him. Husband of one wife: it
does not mean “one at a time” (polygamy was unknown among Greeks
and Romans); he has not been divorced and remarried.25
Temperate: he is sober in judgment. Prudent: he is discreet,
sound-minded. Respectable: he is well balanced, not abrasive.
Hospitable: he loves and hosts strangers. Able to teach: he
discerns and communicates sound doctrine. Not addicted to wine:
he does not linger at the table drinking wine. Not pugnacious:
he is not a fighter. Gentle: he is reasonable. Uncontentious: he
avoids fighting. No lover of money: he is not greedy or
irresponsible concerning money. Managing his own household: he
attends to his own family so that they are believers and are
orderly. Not a new convert: he is not a neophyte. Good
reputation with unbelievers: he is respected in the community at
large.
Duties. The duties of the elder involve
shepherding the flock (Acts 20:28), teaching (1 Tim. 3:2),
ruling or general leadership (1 Tim. 5:17), and guarding against
error (Tit. 1:9).
Number. A plurality of elders is mentioned
frequently (Acts 14:23; Phil. 1:1; Tit. 1:5).
25 25. See the important discussion by Homer A. Kent, Jr.,
The Pastoral Epistles , rev. ed. (Chicago: Moody,
1982), pp. 122–26. Kent discusses the variant views and
concludes Paul is prohibiting remarriage after divorce. The
argument on divorce usually centers on the exceptive clause
of Matt. 19:9. For a careful, biblical study of the entire
subject of divorce see J. Carl Laney, The Divorce Myth
(Minneapolis: Bethany, 1981). Perhaps the most important
book that has been recently written on the subject is
William A. Heth and Gordon J. Wenham, Jesus and Divorce:
The Problem with the Evangelical Consensus (Nashville:
Nelson, 1984). They conclude that the common suggestion that
Jesus allowed the “innocent party” to remarry after divorce
is a recent view first espoused by Erasmus and is biblically
deficient and erroneous. No study of the subject will be
complete without consulting this important work.
[1]Enns, P. P. (1989;
Published in electronic form by Logos Research Systems,
1997). The Moody Handbook of Theology. Includes
indexes. (electronic ed.). Chicago: Moody.
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