Elder in the New Testament
Elder in the New Testament
(, presbuteros):
(1) The word is used adjectivally to denote seniority (Luk 15:25; 1Ti 5:2).
(2) Referring to the Jewish elders of the synagogue, usually associated with the scribes and Pharisees, and New Testament passages cited in the previous article.
(3) It denotes certain persons appointed to hold office in the Christian church, and to exercise spiritual oversight over the flock entrusted to them. From the references in Acts (Act 14:23; Act 20:17) it may be inferred that the churches generally had elders appointed over them. That elders and bishops were in apostolic and sub-apostolic times the same, is now almost universally admitted; in all New Testament references their functions are identical. The most probable explanation of the difference of names is that elder refers mainly to the person, and bishop to the office; the name elder emphasizes what he is, while bishop, that is overseer, emphasizes what the elder or presbyter does. See BISHOP; CHURCH GOVERNMENT; MINISTRY.