[Greek] ἐπίσκοπος (episkopos), [Latin] episcopus, [German] bischof: overseer, bishop, guardian; Acts 20:28, Php.1:1, 1Tim.3:2, 1Pet.2:25
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term, used in both a religious and secular sense, means overseer, watcher, onlooker, protector, patron, god, officeholder, govt. employee.
- Religious: the gods often provided protection for individuals, peoples, classes, and cities.
- Secular: merchants, govt. officials, scouts, spies, and watchers
Homer’s Iliad 22.254: “Let us call the gods to witness, for they shall be the best witnesses and guardian of our covenant.”
Plato’s Laws 6.762: “If any one of the officers themselves commits any such act, it will be proper for all the Sixty to keep an eye on him.”
Plato’s Laws 9.872: “Justice, the avenger of kindred blood, acting as overseer, employs the law and has ordained that the doer of such a deed must of necessity suffer the same.”
Old Testament: This term refers to God and man (supervisor).
- God: Judge of the ungodly, The One who sees in the heart and soul
- Man: governors, officers, temple supervisors, priest, Levites, guardians of morals and souls
New Testament: This term means overseer, bishop, and guardian.
- This term is closely related to a shepherd (keeping watch over the flock and souls).
- This term takes on greater significance as local congregations and communities settled down.
- Scripture illustrates the necessary qualities for a bishop. (1Tim.3:2, Tit.1:7)
- Pope Clement advances the doctrine that the bishops and deacons were instituted by the Apostles
- The Didache also provides further insight on the offices of bishops and deacons.
Scripture:
Acts 20:28: “Keep watch over yourselves and over the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, in which you tend the Church of God.” (Paul was speaking to the Church leaders. The calling to become a bishop comes from the Holy Spirit.)
Php.1:1: “Paul and Timothy, slaves of Jesus Christ, to all the holy ones in Christ who are in Philippi, with the overseers and ministers.” (Since the 2nd century, the overseer becomes the bishop who leads a local Church. In New Testament times, this office is not yet fully developed. Ministers later become known as deacons, servants, and attendants.)
1Pet.2:25: “For you have gone astray like sheep, but you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.” (The office of bishop and shepherd are closely related.)
Didache (early Christian instruction manual (50-70 AD):
15.1 Therefore, APPOINT FOR YOURSELVES OVERSEERS AND DEACONS worthy of the Lord, men who are gentle and not lovers of money and truthful and well-proven, for to you they themselves also minister the ministry of the prophets and teachers.
First Letter of Clement to the Corinthians (96 AD):
42.4 Therefore, preaching among regions and cities, they appointed their first fruits, TESTING THEM BY THE SPIRIT TO BE BISHOPS AND DEACONS of the future believers⌋. 5 And this is nothing new, for much time since then has been written about bishops and deacons. For somewhere the scripture says as follows: “I WILL APPOINT THEIR BISHOPS IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND THEIR IN DEACONS IN FAITH.”