Bishop: Ruler or Servant?

The word bishop is used in many English translations of the Bible.  What does this word mean?  Does it accurately convey the meaning of the texts in which it is used?  Here is the definition and some synonyms from the Oxford American Dictionary.

bishop
noun
1 a senior member of the Christian clergy, typically in charge of a diocese and empowered to confer holy orders.

diocesan, metropolitan, suffragan, eparch, exarch; prelate

Following is a picture from the Wikipedia article on the word bishop.

Are these definitions, descriptions and pictures consistent with the Bible?

The Greek New Testament uses the word episkopos (επισκοπος – G1985) in the places that are translated as bishop in the KJV.  Thayer's Lexicon defines episkopos as:

1. an overseer
1. a man charged with the duty of seeing that things to be done by others are done rightly, any curator, guardian or superintendent
2. the superintendent, elder, or overseer of a Christian church

In the Septuagint, the Greek word episkopos translates the Hebrew word paqid (‏פקיד – H6496), which is defined as "an officer" in Gesenius's Lexicon.  The first use of the word paqid in the Bible is in Genesis 41:34.

Gen 41:34 KJV – Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers (‏פקדים – p'qidim) over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. 

The word paqid is used in the Hebrew Bible 13 times:

Gen 41:34; Judg 9:28; 2 Kgs 25:19; Jer 20:1; 29:26; 52:25; Esth 2:3; Neh 11:9, 14, 22; 12:42; 2 Chr 24:11; 31:13

The uses suggest that the paqid was someone who supervised a work or had oversight over some workers.   The word does not describe a powerful ruler.  Perhaps supervisor is a good modern equivalent.   Surprisingly, the word paqid is used to describe the people that King Ahasuerus sent to search for a new Queen (Esther 2:3).

• Douay-Rheims – And let some persons (‏פקידים – p'qidim) be sent through all the provinces to look for beautiful maidens
• God's Word Translation – And appoint scouts in all the provinces of your kingdom to gather all the attractive young virgins
• Young's Literal Translation – and the king doth appoint inspectors in all provinces of his kingdom
• NLT – Let the king appoint agents in each province to bring these beautiful young women into the royal harem at Susa
• NIV – Let the king appoint commissioners in every province of his realm to bring all these beautiful girls into the harem
• NCV – Let the king choose supervisors in every state of his kingdom to bring every beautiful young girl to the palace at Susa

What did Jesus say to his disciples about leadership?  What would an episkopos that is true to the teachings of Jesus look like?

Matt 20:25 NKJV – But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Matt 23:8 NKJV – But you, do not be called “Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. 9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. 11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

Jas 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. 

Acts 20:28


I prefer the term leader over bishop as it clearly communicates the original meaning of the word.   The KJV puts it nicely when it says to feed the church of God.  I like that a lot better than rule the church.

Acts 20:28 KJV – Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers (επισκοπους – episkopous), to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

• NRSV – Keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock, of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God that he obtained with the blood of his own Son.
• Douay-Rheims – Take heed to yourselves, and to the whole flock, wherein the Holy Ghost hath placed you bishops, to rule the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
• NIRV – Keep watch over yourselves. Keep watch over all the believers. The Holy Spirit has made you leaders over them. Be shepherds of God's church. He bought it with his own blood.

Philippians 1:1


I like the "leaders and helpers" of the GNT.

Phil 1:1 KJV – Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops (επισκοποις – episkopois) and deacons:

• NRSV – Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
• NLT – This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus. It is written to all of God's people in Philippi, who believe in Christ Jesus, and to the elders and deacons.
• Weymouth NT – Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Christ Jesus: To all God's people in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the ministers of the Church and their assistants.
• CEV – To all of God's people who belong to Christ Jesus at Philippi and to all of your church officials and officers.
• GNT – From Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus - To all God's people in Philippi who are in union with Christ Jesus, including the church leaders and helpers:

1 Timothy 3:1-2

1 Tim 3:1 KJV – This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop (επισκοπης – episkopes – G1984), he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop (επισκοπον – episkopon) then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

• CEV – It is true that anyone who desires to be a church official wants to be something worthwhile. That's why officials must have a good reputation and be faithful in marriage. They must be self-controlled, sensible, well-behaved, friendly to strangers, and able to teach. 
• NIRV – Here is a saying you can trust. If anyone wants to be a leader in the church, he wants to do a good work for God and people.  A leader must be free from blame. He must be faithful to his wife. In anything he does, he must not go too far. He must control himself. He must be worthy of respect. He must welcome people into his home. He must be able to teach. 
• The Message –  If anyone wants to provide leadership in the church, good! 2 But there are preconditions: A leader must be well-thought-of, committed to his wife, cool and collected, accessible, and hospitable. He must know what he's talking about,
• Prospector Paraphrase — The desire to lead the way in the work is admirable.   A leader should have the respect of the community and be known for faithfulness in marriage.  A leader should be self-denying, cautious, dignified and welcoming to strangers.  And, of course, a leader should be an inspiring teacher.

Titus 1:7

Titus 1:7 KJV – For a bishop (επισκοπον – episkopon) must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

• God's Word Translation – Because a bishop is a supervisor appointed by God, he must have a good reputation. He must not be a stubborn or irritable person. He must not drink too much or be a violent person. He must not use shameful ways to make money. 
• NLT – An elder must live a blameless life because he is God's minister. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or greedy for money. 
• CEV – Church officials are in charge of God's work, and so they must also have a good reputation. They must not be bossy, quick-tempered, heavy drinkers, bullies, or dishonest in business. 
• Complete Jewish Bible – For an overseer, as someone entrusted with God's affairs, must be blameless - he must not be self-willed or quick-tempered, he must not drink excessively, get into fights or be greedy for dishonest gain.  

1 Peter 2:25


Jesus is the Good Shepherd— the best example of servant leadership.

1 Pet 2:25 KJV – For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop (επισκοπον – episkopon) of your souls.

• RSV – For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.
• CEV – You had wandered away like sheep. Now you have returned to the one who is your shepherd and protector. 
• Complete Jewish Bible –  For you used to be like sheep gone astray, but now you have turned to the Shepherd, who watches over you.

Texts from the Old Testament

None of the episkopos in the Old Testament are powerful rulers.  They were overseers or supervisors— people given the responsibility to see that a job was done correctly.

Num 4:16 And to the office (επισκοπος – episkopos / ‏ופקדת – ufqudat) of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest pertaineth the oil for the light, and the sweet incense, and the daily meat offering, and the anointing oil, and the oversight of all the tabernacle, and of all that therein is, in the sanctuary, and in the vessels thereof.

Num 31:14 And Moses was wroth with the officers (επισκοποις – episkopois / ‏פקודי – p'qudey) of the host, with the captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, which came from the battle.

Judg 9:28 And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? is not he the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer (επισκοπος – episkopos / ‏פקידו – p'qido)? serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: for why should we serve him?

2 Kgs 11:15 But Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of the hundreds, the officers (επισκοποις – episkopois / ‏פקדי – p'qudey) of the host, and said unto them, Have her forth without the ranges: and him that followeth her kill with the sword. For the priest had said, Let her not be slain in the house of the LORD.

2 Kgs 11:18 And all the people of the land went into the house of Baal, and brake it down; his altars and his images brake they in pieces thoroughly, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed officers (επισκοπους – episkopous / ‏פקדות – p'qudot) over the house of the LORD.

2 Kgs 12:11 And they gave the money, being told, into the hands of them that did the work, that had the oversight (επισκοπων – episkopon / ‏פקדים – p'qudim) of the house of the LORD: and they laid it out to the carpenters and builders, that wrought upon the house of the LORD,

The story of Josiah and the finding of the Book of the Law and the repair of the temple is described in 2 Chronicles 34.  In verses 12 and 13 it mentions that the musicians supervised the workers.   I enjoyed that little fact since my wife is a musician.

2 Chr 34:12 And the men did the work faithfully: and the overseers (επισκοποι – episkopoi / ‏מפקדים – mufqadim) of them were Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to set it forward; and other of the Levites, all that could skill of instruments of musick. 13 Also they were over the bearers of burdens, and were overseers of all that wrought the work in any manner of service: and of the Levites there were scribes, and officers, and porters.

• Hebrew – ... ‏כל־מבין בכלי־שׁיר ... (kol mevin bikhley shir)
• ESV – ... The Levites, all who were skillful with instruments of music, were over the burden-bearers and directed all who did work in every kind of service ...
• God's Word Translation – ... The Levites, who were skilled musicians, also supervised the workers and directed all the workmen on the various jobs. 
• NLT – The workers served faithfully under the leadership of Jahath and Obadiah, Levites of the Merarite clan, and Zechariah and Meshullam, Levites of the Kohathite clan. Other Levites, all of whom were skilled musicians, were put in charge of the laborers of the various trades. Still others assisted as secretaries, officials, and gatekeepers. 

2 Chr 34:17 And they have gathered together the money that was found in the house of the LORD, and have delivered it into the hand of the overseers (επισκοπων – episkopon / ‏מפקדים – mufqadim), and to the hand of the workmen.

Neh 11:9 And Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer (επισκοπος – episkopos / ‏פקיד – paqid): and Judah the son of Senuah was second over the city.

Neh 11:14 And their brethren, mighty men of valour, an hundred twenty and eight: and their overseer (επισκοπος – episkopos / ‏פקיד – paqid) was Zabdiel, the son of one of the great men.

Neh 11:22 The overseer (επισκοπος – episkopos / ‏פקיד – paqid) also of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micha. Of the sons of Asaph, the singers were over the business of the house of God.

Isa 60:17 For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers (επισκοπους σου – episkopous / episkopous sou / ‏פקדתך – f'qudatekh) peace, and thine exactors righteousness.

A leader in the Christian community must follow the Leader— the one who said He came not to be served, but to serve.  If we desire to be leaders— to lead others to be like Jesus— we must lead them into His life of service by setting an example of humble service.