Lexical Summary episkopos: Overseer, Bishop Original Word: ἐπίσκοπος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance bishop, overseer. From epi and skopos (in the sense of episkopeo); a superintendent, i.e. Christian officer in genitive case charge of a (or the) church (literally or figuratively) -- bishop, overseer. see GREEK epi see GREEK skopos see GREEK episkopeo HELPS Word-studies 1985 epískopos (a masculine noun, derived from 1909 /epí, "on/fitting contact," which intensifies 4649 /skopós, "look intently," like at an end-marker concluding a race) – properly, an overseer; a man called by God to literally "keep an eye on" His flock (the Church, the body of Christ), i.e. to provide personalized (first hand) care and protection (note the epi, "on"). "Though in some contexts 1985 (epískopos) has been regarded traditionally as a position of authority, in reality the focus is upon the responsibility for caring for others" (L & N, 1, 35.40). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom epi and skopos Definition a superintendent, an overseer NASB Translation guardian (1), overseer (2), overseers (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1985: ἐπίσκοποςἐπίσκοπος, ἐπισκόπου, ὁ (ἐπισκέπτομαι), an overseer, a man charged with the duty of seeing that things to be done by others are done rightly, any curator, guardian, or superintendent; the Sept. for פָּקִיד, Judges 9:28; Nehemiah 11:9, 14, 22; 2 Kings 11:15, etc.; 1 Macc. 1:51. The word has the same comprehensive sense in Greek writings from Homer Odys. 8, 163; Iliad 22, 255 down; hence, in the N. T. ἐπίσκοπον τῶν ψυχῶν, guardian of souls, one who watches over their welfare: 1 Peter 2:25 ((τόν παντός πνεύματος κτίστην καί ἐπίσκοπον, Clement of Rome, 1 Cor. 59, 3 [ET]); ἀρχιερεύς καί προστάτης τῶν ψυχῶν ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦς Χριστός, ibid. 61, 3 [ET]; (cf. Sir. 1:6)), cf. Hebrews 13:17. specifically, the superintendent, head or overseer of any Christian church; Vulg.episcopus: Acts 20:28; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:7; see πρεσβύτερος, 2 b.; (and for the later use of the word, see Dict. of Chris. Antiq. under the word Topical Lexicon Overview of the New Testament Usage The term occurs five times and always describes a God-appointed guardian of people redeemed by Christ. In Acts 20:28 the Holy Spirit installs multiple “overseers” in one local flock, revealing a plurality of leaders rather than a solitary hierarchy. Philippians 1:1 places these overseers alongside deacons under the overarching category of “saints,” stressing that their identity is rooted in shared salvation before it is expressed in service. Connection with Eldership Comparison with Acts 20:17 and Titus 1:5 shows that “elder” (presbyteros) and “overseer” (episkopos) refer to the same office viewed from complementary angles: “elder” highlights spiritual maturity, while “overseer” highlights responsibility. Paul calls the Ephesian “elders” (Acts 20:17) and, in the same address, says the Holy Spirit made them “overseers” (20:28). Likewise, Paul instructs Titus to “appoint elders in every town” (Titus 1:5) and immediately lists the qualifications for an “overseer” in verse 7. The early church thus recognized one local leadership body described by two titles that together portray maturity and vigilance. Christ, the Supreme Model Peter grounds the office in the character of Christ: “you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Peter 2:25). All human oversight derives from and is accountable to Jesus, who guards souls through sacrificial love. Leaders therefore must pattern their ministry after the Chief Overseer, serving rather than ruling and watching over people rather than structures. Qualifications and Character 1 Timothy 3:2-7 and Titus 1:7-9 expand the moral and doctrinal profile. Both lists emphasize blamelessness, faithful marriage, self-control, hospitality, skillful teaching, and courage to confront error. Notably, administrative competence is mentioned only once (“able to manage his own household,” 1 Timothy 3:4) whereas godliness dominates, underscoring that spiritual integrity is the primary credential. The standard is high because, as Paul insists, the overseer manages “God’s household” (Titus 1:7). Pastoral Functions Acts 20:28 unites oversight with shepherding: “Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.” Oversight therefore includes: Historical Trajectory in the Early Church By the end of the first century local congregations were led by multiple elders/overseers, with itinerant apostles and prophets offering trans-local guidance. In the second century some regions developed a single-bishop model, but the New Testament evidence itself points to collegial leadership accountable to Scripture and the congregation. The later development does not negate the original pattern; rather, it challenges modern churches to evaluate polity in light of apostolic precedent. Ministerial Implications Today 1. Biblical overseers must be identified primarily by character and doctrine, not title or corporate skill. Summary Strong’s Greek 1985 depicts a ministry of vigilant, sacrificial care rooted in the example of Jesus Christ and expressed through qualified, plural leadership within each local church. The office safeguards doctrine, nurtures holiness, and equips the saints for service until the Chief Overseer appears. Forms and Transliterations επίσκοποι επισκοποις επισκόποις ἐπισκόποις επισκοπον επίσκοπον ἐπίσκοπον επίσκοπος επισκόπου επισκοπους επισκόπους ἐπισκόπους επισκόπων επίσπαστρον episkopois episkópois episkopon epískopon episkopous episkópousLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 20:28 N-AMPGRK: ἅγιον ἔθετο ἐπισκόπους ποιμαίνειν τὴν NAS: has made you overseers, to shepherd KJV: you overseers, to feed INT: Holy did set overseers to shepherd the Philippians 1:1 N-DMP 1 Timothy 3:2 N-AMS Titus 1:7 N-AMS 1 Peter 2:25 N-AMS Strong's Greek 1985 |
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