Authority Figures in the Church — Elders

The term term translated "elder" refers to the age and wisdom of persons functioning in this role in the Church. It often seems to be used interchangeably with "overseer" (or "bishop"), and the way a person legitimately functioning in this capacity is to be recognized (often called the "qualifications") is the same as for an overseer. Like overseers, elders teach and lead by example, not by fiat.

            The word most commonly used for church leaders in the New Testament is “elder” (presbuteros). As Vine notes, this word is an adjective, the comparative of presbus, an old man, and is converted into a noun when used to describe the leaders of cities, of the Jewish nation (the Sanhedrin in Jesus’ day were the “elders” of Israel), and of churches. The emphasis in the use of this term is not on the authority of these older men, but on their age—and, by implication, their wisdom. (My previous comments about virtually all leadership in First Century society being reserved for males, a situation which does not obtain today, should be kept in mind on the subject of presbuteros being a masculine noun). As was previously noted, in some passages the terms “bishop” or “overseer” and “elder” are used to refer to the same individuals. Similarly, although they were also Apostles, Peter and John both sometimes referred to themselves as elders.^1,2 Thus, the terms used to describe church leaders appear to be at least somewhat interchangeable, with the term that is used depending on the emphasis the author wants to be understood—i.e., whether the author wants to emphasize the function as an inspector or the quality of being recognized for experience and wisdom. There does not appear to be any intent in this use of language to establish “offices” of authority in the church, in the sense of fixed “offices” in a worldly power structure.

            With that said, the New Testament speaks of the elders of a church in twelve different contexts. In Acts, while the church in Jerusalem was at first led by the Apostles, it later came to be led by the “Apostles and elders.” Compare, Acts 4:35, 6:2, 11:30, 15:2-4 and 16:4. On the other hand, while some of the leaders of the church in Antioch are named in Acts 13:1, only their functions (“prophets” and “teachers”) are stated; none of them are called “elders” or “overseers.” However, Luke records that, at the end of their first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas returned to the cities in which they had previously ministered, “strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.” At this same time, Paul and Barnabas “appointed elders for them in each church”³ Thus, Paul appears to have appointed the first elders in every church he planted.⁴ Likewise, Paul instructed Titus to ordain elders in every church he established in Crete.⁵

            More important than the occurrences in Acts, however, are the instructions given for the qualifications of elders, the behavior and functions of elders, and the honor to be accorded them. The qualifications of elders are the same as those for bishops—since these seem to be only different terms describing the same people.⁶ Elders are to lead by example, not by demanding control, and are to avoid exploiting the flock for their own greed, as Peter wrote:

To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed:  Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;  not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.  And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

1 Peter 5:1-7

            The New Testament refers to at least eight functions elders perform. First, as the passage from 1 Peter quoted above states, elders are examples to the rest of the flock. As has also been previously noted, elders are “overseers,” inspectors who “watch over” the flock to keep the rest of the flock in conformity with God. Then again, one of the qualifications to be recognized as an elder is the ability to teach, and elders function by providing teaching and exhortation from the Word.^7,8 Elders, in their function as overseers, are to watch over the flock, to prevent wolves from entering it, and to feed it.^9,10 At least on the occasion discussed in Acts 15, the “elders” of the Jerusalem church, along with the “Apostles,” collectively served as the arbiters of a doctrinal dispute in the larger Body of Christ, a role consistent with their functions as teachers and overseers.

The body of elders, collectively (the presbuterion), also has an important role in the impartation of gifts, callings or abilities to individuals for the benefit of the church.¹¹ Furthermore, according to 1 Timothy 5:17, elders also “stand before” the church to lead it. This word is rendered “rule” in the KJV, but is not a word used to describe what human kings or governors do, ruling through exercise of authority, but is the word proistemi, composed of histemi, to stand, place, or make to stand, and pro-, before. It literally means to go before, and, by implication, to lead, to attend to, or to care for. Paul’s use of this word in 1 Timothy 5:17 is in complete agreement with Peter’s instruction in 1 Peter 5:3 that elders are not to be lords over God’s heritage. Compare, also Luke 22:24-27, contrasting the domineering rulers and great men of the Gentiles with the body of disciples, among whom the one who wants to lead must be the servant of all. Finally, in keeping with their function as those who feed and care for the flock, elders have a major role in maintaining both the spiritual and the physical health of those in the flock:

 Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the assembly, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will heal him who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective.

James 5:14-16 (WEB)

            The New Testament also clearly prescribes that elders are to be shown proper respect. As shown above, elders are given to the church to lead it, and their direction and example should generally be followed. Moreover, when an elder errs, individuals in his flock are not to rebuke him sharply, but to plead with him as a child pleads with a parent.¹² The church is not to “receive” an accusation against an elder, not to accept such an accusation, not to retain it or hear it with favor, unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.¹³ Because of the elder’s role as a leader, where there are two or three witnesses and the facts show that the accused elder has sinned, he is to be corrected openly,¹⁴ without forgetting the ultimate restorative purpose of church discipline. The New Testament does not countenance the common practice of permitting covert gossip to undermine church leaders—everything is to be done openly. If two or three witnesses to the sin fail to come forward, the accusation is to be ignored as gossip; if the sin is proved, the correction is to be done openly by the church. Both the reticence to accuse and the open response to proven accusations are aspects of the respect that is to be shown elders. Finally, Paul states that elders who lead well are to be given “double honor,” and particularly those whose primary work is teaching the Word.¹⁵ These are to be allowed financial support, the reward of their labor for us.¹⁶

NEXT: Authority Figures in the Church — Deacons