Word study on Pastor, Elder, Covering, Shepherd, etc

by Glen on 2002-12-29 00:01:06

How far has the “modern” church strayed from the roles Pastor, Elder, Covering, Shepherd, etc may have had in New Testament days? See for yourself below.

If a biblical reference to your idea of these roles doesn’t match how the role is being enacted by people today, it may be cause for concern and corrective planning. For example, the word “covering” is never used like we use it today. The word “shepherd” is never used like we use it today. The word “pastor” doesn’t even exist in some translations!

Think about it. Martin Luther defied the Catholic church because it had strayed from Biblical truths and practices. But when someone takes corrective action like he did, they usually don’t go completely outside of their comfort zone. In other words, some non-biblical vestiges of the Catholic church may yet exist in the Lutheran church – and many other protestant churches.

How would God build his church today? Many of us try to figure that out without consulting the One whose church we wish to build. Actually, doesn’t Jesus say that He will build His church? Isn’t our role to have a good relationship with Him while we “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”?

John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible

Philippians 1:1

To all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.

The persons to whom this epistle is inscribed are here described by the place of their abode, Philippi, and by the various characters they bore in the church; which was at this time very numerous, consisting of many members, and of proper officers, and are both taken notice of here. The members are meant by “all the saints in Christ Jesus”; they were saints or holy persons, not by Moses and his law; not by ceremonial ablutions and sacrifices, which only sanctified to the purifying of the flesh, but could not take away sin, or cleanse from it; nor by themselves and their moral righteousness; for though thereby men, nay outwardly appear holy and righteous, yet they remain inwardly unholy and impure; nor by baptism, which has no regenerating nor sanctifying virtue in it; if persons are not saints before that, they are never by it; it leaves them as it finds them, and neither takes away original or actual sin: but these were saints in and by Christ; they were become holy in consequence of being in Christ; men are first in Christ, and then saints in him; they are chosen “in him” before the world began to be holy, and in time are made new men, new creatures, are created in him unto good works by virtue of their being in him; hence he sanctifies his church and people by his blood, they being so nearly related to him, and interested in him, and he in them; hence they being first of God in Christ, he is made sanctification to them; and hence internal holiness is wrought in them from Christ, by his Spirit; which being begun is carried on, and will be performed until the day of Christ; and which was the happy case of these Philippians, as the apostle was confident of. The officers of this church were “the bishops and deacons”. The “bishops” were the pastors, elders, and overseers of the church, for a bishop and an elder is one and the same; see (Acts 20:17,28) ; where the elders of the church at Ephesus are called “overseers” or “bishops”; for the same word is used there as here; and the Syriac version here renders the word by (avyvq) , “elders”: and they design no other than common and ordinary pastors; who have the name of elders from their age, gravity, and seniority; and that of bishops and overseers from the nature of their office, which is to feed, watch, inspect, and take the oversight of the flock, minister sound doctrine to them, and preserve them from error and heresies. It seems by this, and the instance of the church at Ephesus, that there were, and so may be, where there is necessity for it, more pastors or bishops than one in a church; unless it can be thought that there were more churches than one in each of these cities; or that the pastors of adjacent churches are here included; neither of which seem to be a clear case, but the contrary: but then these pastors or bishops were all upon an equal foot; one had not any authority or power over another, or more authority than another; they were not metropolitan or diocesan bishops, but pastors of a particular church; and were neither lords over one another, nor of God’s heritage. The “deacons” were such as served tables, the Lord’s table, the minister’s table, and the poor’s table; took care of the secular affairs of the church, received and disbursed moneys, kept the church’s accounts, and provided everything necessary for its temporal good. The one sort of these officers were concerned with the souls and spiritual estate of the members of the church; the others with their bodies and temporal estate, by visiting the sick, relieving the poor? and both these exhibit the true primitive plan of church offices and discipline; there being no other order of offices or officers, in a Christian church of divine institution, but pastors and deacons; whatever else is introduced is without warrant, and comes from the man of sin. These officers are mentioned by the apostle, not only to show his respect

Jamieson, Fausset, Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

1. Timotheus–mentioned as being well known to the Philippians (Acts 16:3,10-12), and now present with Paul. Not that Timothy had any share in writing the Epistle; for Paul presently uses the first person singular, “I,” not “we” (Philippians 1:3). The mention of his name implies merely that Timothy joined in affectionate remembrances to them.

servants of Jesus Christ–The oldest manuscripts read the order, “Christ Jesus.” Paul does not call himself “an apostle,” as in the inscriptions of other Epistles; for the Philippians needed not to be reminded of his apostolic authority. He writes rather in a tone of affectionate familiarity.

all–so Philippians 1:4,7,8,25, Philippians 2:17,26. It implies comprehensive affection which desired not to forget any one among them “all.”

bishops–synonymous with “presbyters” in the apostolical churches; as appears from the same persons being called “elders of the Church” at Ephesus (Acts 20:17), and “overseers” (Acts 20:28), Greek, “bishops.” And Titus 1:5, compare with Philippians 1:7. This is the earliest letter of Paul where bishops and deacons are mentioned, and the only one where they are separately addressed in the salutation. This accords with the probable course of events, deduced alike from the letters and history. While the apostles were constantly visiting the churches in person or by messengers, regular pastors would be less needed; but when some were removed by various causes, provision for the permanent order of the churches would be needed. Hence the three pastoral letters, subsequent to this Epistle, give instruction as to the due appointment of bishops and deacons. It agrees with this new want of the Church, when other apostles were dead or far away, and Paul long in prison, that bishops and deacons should be prominent for the first time in the opening salutation. The Spirit thus intimated that the churches were to look up to their own pastors, now that the miraculous gifts were passing into God’s ordinary providence, and the presence of the inspired apostles, the dispensers of those gifts, was to be withdrawn [PALEY, “HorÃ¦ PaulinÃ¦]. “Presbyter,” implied the rank; “bishop,” the duties of the office [NEANDER]. Naturally, when the apostles who had the chief supervision were no more, one among the presbyters presided and received the name “bishop,” in the more restricted and modern sense; just as in the Jewish synagogue one of the elders presided as “ruler of the synagogue.” Observe, the apostle addresses the Church (that is, the congregation) more directly than its presiding ministers (Colossians 4:17, 1 Thessalonians 5:12, Hebrews 13:24, Revelation 1:4,11). The bishops managed more the internal, the deacons the external, affairs of the Church. The plural number shows there was more than one bishop or presbyter, and more than one deacon in the Church at Philippi.

Robertson’s Word Pictures of the New Testament

Paul (PauloÃ). He does not mention his apostleship as he usually does. Omitted also in I and II Thess. and Philemon. Timothy (TimoqeoÃ). In no sense the author, but associated with Paul because with him here in Rome as in Corinth when I and II Thessalonians written and in Ephesus when I Corinthians sent and in Macedonia when II Corinthians written. Timothy was with Paul when the Philippian church was founded (Acts 16:1,13; Acts 17:14). He had been there twice since (Acts 19:22; Acts 20:3). To all the saints (pasi toiÃ agioiÃ). The word saint (agioÃ) here is used for the professing Christians as in 1 Corinthians 1:2 which see as well as Romans 1:7 for the origin of the word. The word “all” (pasi) means that all individual believers are included. Paul employs this word frequently in Philippians. In Christ Jesus (en Cristwi Ihsou). The centre for all Christian relations and activities for Paul and for us. In Philippi (en PilippoiÃ). See on “Ac 16:12” for discussion of this name. With the bishops (sun episkopoiÃ). “Together with bishops,” thus singled out from “all the saints.” See Acts 20:17,28 for the use of this most interesting word as equivalent to presbuteroÃ (elder). It is an old word from episkeptomai, to look upon or after, to inspect, so the overseer or superintendent. In the second century episcopoÃ (Ignatius) came to mean one superior to elders, but not so in the N.T. The two New Testament church officers are here mentioned (bishops or elders and deacons). The plural is here employed because there was usually one church in a city with several pastors (bishops, elders). And deacons (kai diakonoiÃ). Technical sense here of the other church officers as in 1 Timothy 3:8-13, not the general use as in Matthew 22:13. The origin of the office is probably seen in Acts 6:1-6. The term is often applied to preachers (1 Corinthians 3:5; 2 Corinthians 3:6). The etymology (dia, koniÃ) suggests raising a dust by hastening.

ELDERS

Ac 11:30 – and they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

Ac 14:23 – And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they believed.

Ac 15:2 – And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question.

Ac 15:4 – When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them.

Ac 15:6 – The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter.

Ac 15:22 – Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsab’bas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren,

Ac 15:23 – with the following letter: “The brethren, both the apostles and the elders, to the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cili’cia, greeting.

Ac 16:4 – As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions which had been reached by the apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem.

Ac 20:17 – And from Mile’tus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church.

Ac 21:18 – On the following day Paul went in with us to James; and all the elders were present.

Ac 22:5 – as the high priest and the whole council of elders bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brethren, and I journeyed to Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.

Ac 23:14 – And they went to the chief priests and elders, and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul.

Ac 24:1 – And after five days the high priest Anani’as came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertul’lus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul;

Ac 25:15 – and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews gave information about him, asking for sentence against him.

1Ti 4:14 – Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophetic utterance when the council of elders laid their hands upon you.

1Ti 5:17 – Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching;

Tit 1:5 – This is why I left you in Crete, that you might amend what was defective, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you,

Jas 5:14 – Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord;

1Pe 5:1 – So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ as well as a partaker in the glory that is to be revealed.

1Pe 5:5 – Likewise you that are younger be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Re 4:4 – Round the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clad in white garments, with golden crowns upon their heads.

Re 4:10 – the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever; they cast their crowns before the throne, singing,

Re 5:5 – Then one of the elders said to me, “Weep not; lo, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”

Re 5:6 – And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders, I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth;

Re 5:8 – And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and with golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints;

Re 5:11 – Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands,

Re 5:14 – And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Re 7:11 – And all the angels stood round the throne and round the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,

Re 7:13 – Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and whence have they come?”

Re 11:16 – And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God,

Re 14:3 – and they sing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who had been redeemed from the earth.

Re 19:4 – And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who is seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!”

COVERING

Ex 22:27 – for that is his only covering, it is his mantle for his body; in what else shall he sleep? And if he cries to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.

Ps 105:39 – He spread a cloud for a covering, and fire to give light by night.

Isa 14:11 – Your pomp is brought down to Sheol, the sound of your harps; maggots are the bed beneath you, and worms are your covering.

Isa 22:8 – He has taken away the covering of Judah. In that day you looked to the weapons of the House of the Forest,

Isa 25:7 – And he will destroy on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations.

Eze 28:13 – You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, carnelian, topaz, and jasper, chrysolite, beryl, and onyx, sapphire, carbuncle, and emerald; and wrought in gold were your settings and your engravings. On the day that you were created they were prepared.

Mal 2:16 – “For I hate divorce, says the LORD the God of Israel, and covering one’s garment with violence, says the LORD of hosts. So take heed to yourselves and do not be faithless.”

1Co 11:15 – but if a woman has long hair, it is her pride? For her hair is given to her for a covering.

COVER

Ex 33:22 – and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by;

De 22:12 – “You shall make yourself tassels on the four corners of your cloak with which you cover yourself.

Ps 5:12 – For thou dost bless the righteous, O LORD; thou dost cover him with favor as with a shield.

Ps 27:5 – For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent, he will set me high upon a rock.

Ps 91:4 – he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

Isa 58:7 – Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

1Co 11:7 – For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man.

Jas 5:20 – let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

PASTOR

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OVERSEER

Ge 39:4 – So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had.

Ge 39:5 – From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had, in house and field.

Ne 11:9 – Jo’el the son of Zichri was their overseer; and Judah the son of Hassen’u-ah was second over the city.

Ne 11:14 – and their brethren, mighty men of valor, a hundred and twenty-eight; their overseer was Zab’diel the son of Haggedo’lim.

Ne 11:22 – The overseer of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, son of Hashabi’ah, son of Mattani’ah, son of Mica, of the sons of Asaph, the singers, over the work of the house of God.

ELDER(s)

1Ti 5:19 – Never admit any charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.

1Pe 5:1 – So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ as well as a partaker in the glory that is to be revealed.

2Jo 1:1 – The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth, and not only I but also all who know the truth,

3Jo 1:1 – The elder to the beloved Ga’ius, whom I love in the truth.