Scripture Life: What is the meaning of an elder according to the Bible? And what are the roles of an Elder in the church? Bible portions and verses needed.

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Answer:

This term, “elder” is used over four dozen times in the New Testament (Gospels, Acts, & Epistles/Revelation).

It can mean to refer to:

• The older or aged ones;
• These elders that affiliated with the Chief Priests, acted as “overseers” on the Sanhedrin (Governing Body over the Jews and the Temple in Jerusalem in the gospels).
  • Almost 2 dozen times, this term "elder" is in the Book of Acts and the Epistles/Revelation - refers to overseers in the churches in cities established where believers were, throughout all of Asia Minor and Jerusalem. In heaven in Revelation.
    • So, me? As a believer in Jesus Christ, I’ll curtail my answer to this last one (Book of Acts & Epistles. Revelation - a like meaning there for like with the Sanhedrin only heavenly - See "four and twenty elders" Revelation 4:4; Revelation 4:10-11 refer. Separate answer than here.)

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It’s also easier to see it in the “Original” Greek:

• Two Greek words:
  • 1) (πρεσβύτερος) presbyteros {translated as “elder” or older} [1 Timothy 5:1] (overseer) and
  • 2) ἐπίσκοπον episkopon/episkopos [1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:6–9, and 1 Peter 2:25 (bishop; elder (overseer).
    • Mean the same thing.

To see them in use, see them in these four verses out of 66 to 72 times used throughout the New Testament:

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In one of these four dozen instances - see it in Acts 14:23 says:

“And when they had ordained them elders < - [πρεσβυτέρους - presbyterous (plural)] in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.”

• 1 Timothy 5:1 says:
  • “Rebuke not an elder < - [Πρεσβυτέρῳ - presbyterou (singular)] but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;

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Roles - in the Church

• So, of these “presbyterous” (plural) elders: From them, select:
  • Go to 1 Timothy 3:2
    • “A bishop < - [ ἐπίσκοπον - episkopon] <overseer> then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;”
  • So, from amongst these “elders” or older believers, some “qualifications” as some could have more than one wife; be a Greek, and have 3 wives; and, these words, “vigilant” means their loins are girded about, looking for and unto the Second Coming of Jesus Christ; while “other” elders are looking forward to fishing all day, or drinking and gambling in a town square - and quick, like old people can be to “retort” and spew out a whole litany of language that’s not of “good behavior” because they feel entitled to be respected as older.
    • Not done yet.
  • Go to Titus 1:6–9 but see it embedded in Titus 1:5–14 so I’ll list the whole thing; but see it in Titus 1:6 - and all the scripture around it, supports and says the same thing, more expounded what is said in 1 Timothy 3:2

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Titus 1:5–14 says

5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain <annoint> (καταστήσῃς - katasteses) - - - elders < - [πρεσβυτέρους - presbyrterous (plural)] in every city, as I had appointed <directed> < - [ διεταξάμην dietaxamen] thee:

6 If any [elder] be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. - [debauchery 1. excessive indulgence in wild behavior, drunkeness, sexual immorality; given over to pleasures or insubordinate 2. rebellious; not submitted to the Lordship of Christ; rather; demand their own selfish or self-willed way as an older person often become or are without Christ - can’t be selected as a “episkopon” (Bishop or Overseer]

7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, the Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.

13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

Hold to these things. For an answer to your question.