Elders, Bishops, and Pastors

In our study through 1 Timothy at my church, I recently preached on chapter three verses one through seven.  I have had some questions about the text and the topic of elders, so I am posting a few notes to give anyone who wants to dig a little deeper a head start.  Hope you find this useful.  Feel free to share your thoughts or other resources on the topic.

Notes on 1 Timothy 3:1-7

 

What is an “overseer” (or “bishop” in some versions)?

-break down the word  = over/seer

= a man who exercises oversight (see 1 Timothy 2:11-15 for a starting point as to why this office is reserved for men)

 The words “overseer” or “bishop”, “elder”, and “pastor” or “shepherd” (including the verb forms of these words) are used interchangeably (synonymously) in the New Testament.

-Titus 1:5,7; 1 Peter 5:1-3, Acts 20:28

 Note: “Elder” is not a term used to speak only of older people in the church.

-Titus 1:5 compared with Titus 2:2-3

 What are the functions of overseers/elders/pastors?

1 Timothy 3:2 – Teach

1 Timothy 3:5 – Manage household of God

Hebrews 13:17 – Keep watch over souls; Lead

Ephesians 4:11-12 – Equip the saints for ministry

Titus 1:9-11 – Work to protect the purity of the church

James 5:14 – Pray for the sick and distressed

1 Peter 5:1-3 – Feed, Lead, and Protect

Acts 6:4 – Devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word (in line with the apostles here as compared to the men set apart to meet physical needs)

 The New Testament Pattern: A Plurality of Elders In Each Local Church

Titus 1:5 – “elders in every town”

James 5:14 – “call the elders”

Act 20:17 – “sent for the elders of the church”

Acts 14:23 – “appointed elders in each church”

1 Timothy 5:19-20 – “an elder…the rest”

 Qualifications of Elder/Overseer/Pastor

The qualifications for elders are listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 as well as Titus 1:5-9, with some differences in the lists.  Neither list is meant to be exhaustive, but meant to point us to the traits that should characterize a man who is mature in Christ and fit for this position in the church.  Most of the qualifications are self-explanatory, with “above reproach” being the summary qualification of the list.

 Resources for further study:

 “Elders and Leaders: God’s Plan for Leading the Church” by Gene A. Getz (Moody Publishers, 2003)

 “The Deliberate Church: Building Your Ministry on the Gospel” by Mark Dever and Paul Alexander (Crossway Books, 2005)