Dictionary of Bible Themes » 7000 God's people » 7700 Leadership and the people of God » 7748 overseers
In the OT a variety of supervisory roles are mentioned. In the NT “overseers” (traditionally translated “bishops”) describes the role of local church leaders.
Overseers in the OT
In secular life
Exodus 5:6; Ruth 2:5-6; 1 Kings 5:16; 2 Chronicles 2:2; Nehemiah 3:5; Proverbs 6:6-7
In religious life
Numbers 8:22; 1 Chronicles 25:2; 2 Chronicles 23:18; Ezra 3:9; Nehemiah 11:11; Jeremiah 20:1
Overseers in the NT
Matthew 20:8
In the church
Philippians 1:1 A title for local church leaders.
The role of local church “elders”
Acts 20:28 Here, as elsewhere in the NT, “elders” and “overseers” are virtually synonymous. See also 1 Peter 5:1-4
Their qualifications
1 Timothy 3:1-7 See also Titus 1:7
A title of Jesus Christ
1 Peter 2:25
See also
2203 Christ, titles of 5051 responsibility 7026 church, leadership 7715 deacons 7720 elders in the church 7734 leaders, spiritual 7789 shepherd, church leader 7939 ministry 8422 equipping, spiritual
