What is a Bishop? [1 TImothy Pt. 11]
What is a Bishop?
Our study of 1 Timothy takes a turn as we enter into chapter 3. Moving from exhortations and corrections to basic instruction, Paul gives Timothy the distinctions and qualifications for those who lead the church. There is a lot of confusion in the Church about some of these basic truths. Even talking to some pastors, I hear them say things like, “It doesn’t really matter what you call it or who does it as long as it gets done.” I don’t think that the Apostle would give such specific instruction on these things if that was the case.
What is a Bishop? – AUDIO
Paul is very specific in what he is telling Timothy because he is basing it on who Christ is and what He has accomplished. After giving the two main offices in the church, Bishop and Deacon, he makes one of the most profound statements in the New Testament.
1 Timothy 3:14-16 These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; 15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.
The basis of all that is in this letter is right here. It is proper conduct in the House of God which is the Church (Vs. 15) and it is based on the fact that God Himself took on human flesh and His testimony is given to angels and men wherever the Gospel is preached. (Vs. 16) The foundation of all of our conduct is a matter as serious as the Gospel itself! It is the way in which the God who saves us has instructed us to conduct ourselves.
The question then arises, What is a Bishop? The word used here in the New King James Version as well as the Old King James, is an unfortunate translation. The word Bishop brings to mind a high order church like the Roman Catholic or Episcopal church for most. It is really a word that means “overseer.” It is a term that is interchangeable with pastor and also elder. That is right, an elder is a pastor is an overseer. Three words in the Greek, Presbutero (elder), Episcopeo (overseer) and Poimen (shepherd or pastor) All three words are used interchangeably in Acts 20 and 1 Peter 5 and Elder and Overseer are used in the same way in Titus 1.
Acts 20:17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. 28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
1 Peter 5:1-2 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;
Titus 1:5-7 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you– 6 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money….
All of these refer to the pastors of local churches. But notice that the word “Elders” always plural. Every church should have a plurality of elders. These Elders should be honored by and supported by the Church. Not that they all need to be on the payroll, but they should be cared for. 1 Timothy 5:17-18 says it this way, “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. 18 For the Scripture says, “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE AN OX WHILE IT TREADS OUT THE GRAIN,” and, “THE LABORER IS WORTHY OF HIS WAGES.’”
We see also from this text, that there are Elders who rule and those who teach. According to Alexander Strauch, a modern authority on church polity, the Elder-Pastors have three major roles, To govern the church, to protect the church and to teach the church.
The point I raised at the beginning is demonstrated here. The work is given to men whom the Lord calls and gifts for a specific task. Those men know their task and are responsible to carry it out. If we fail to define the office and its qualifications and duties, we will most likely fall short in accomplishing it goals. I challenge you to consider this and see how well your church submits to God’s order.
For more on this subject, listen to the audio of the lesson What is a Bishop? and also, look for the next couple of posts as we continue to examine 1 Timothy 3 on subsequent Wednesday Evenings.
In Christ!
Kevin
Tags: 1 Timothy, Bishops, Deacons, Elders, Offices in the Church, Overseers, Pastors
Wednesday Evening | Kevin Hoffman | 
October 6, 2011 11:59 am
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