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Commentary
The meanings provided in the Greek lexicons and glossaries are not entirely unpolluted definitions. The historical development of the ecclesiastical church offices has determined the meaning of the Greek texts and the corresponding English translations. The use of the English word “Bishop” to translate Greek words allows for the tradition that developed after the period of time when the New Testament was written to be read back into the Greek text reflecting ecclesiastical church offices.
This tradition of ecclesiastical church officers can be traced back to writings by Ignatius of Antioch (c. 35 – c. 107). In his Letter to the Magnesians 2, 6:1 he wrote. “Take care to do all things in harmony with God, with the bishop presiding in the place of God, and with the presbyters in the place of the council of the apostles, and with the deacons, who are most dear to me, entrusted with the business of Jesus Christ, who was with the Father from the beginning and is at last made manifest.”
Ignatius is the earliest known Christian writer to emphasize loyalty to a single bishop in each city who is assisted by both presbyters (elders) and deacons.
This tradition of ecclesiastical church officers can also be traced back to writings by Irenaeus sometime between A.D. 170-190.
Background on Irenaeus
Irenaeus is the first to argue for the principle of apostolic succession for the purpose to claim bishops provided the only accurate guide to interpreting scripture. He cataloged an ancestry of the bishops from which an unbroken line of bishops is traced to the apostles. It is from such a catalogue the succession of bishops in Rome is established. He argued this succession from bishop to bishop was important to establish the custodial succession for orthodoxy originating from the apostles. Irenaeus claimed the apostolic churches had preserved the same traditions and teachings through various independent sources. It was the unanimous agreement between these various independent sources of transmission that established the true orthodox doctrines. He used this argument against heresy, particularly Valentinian Gnostic influences.
He also considered the succession of presbyters (elders) necessary.
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Hermeneutics
Discerning the meaning of a word or passage always requires applying all relevant passages to the interpretation, or in some cases, to the correct translation. Often this is described as the larger context of the entire Bible. This is the case for the correct understanding of the Greek text used to justify ecclesiastical church offices. Particularly, the following passages must be used to interpret leadership within the churches when using the New Testament as the source. These passages teach directly to the issue and teach by example.
What did the Lord Jesus teach about ecclesiastical church positions or offices and if there is to be a hierarchy of authority?
Mark 9:33-35 ESV - a direct instruction by Christ
33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”
Luke 22:25-27 ESV- a direct instruction by Christ
25 And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.
Matthew 23:11 ESV - a direct instruction by Christ
11 The greatest among you shall be your servant.
Luke 9:48 ESV - a direct instruction by Christ
48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”
John 10:15 ESV - an example of Christ
15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.
John 13:13-15 ESV - An Example of Christ
13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.
What did the Apostles teach about ecclesiastical church positions or offices and if there is an established hierarchy of authority?
2 Corinthians 4:5 ESV – an example of the Apostle Paul
5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.
2 Corinthians 8:9 ESV – an example of Christ
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
Philippians 2:7 ESV – an example of Christ
7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
1 Peter 5:2-3 ESV a direct teaching by the Apostle Peter for the shepherd of the flock to be an example
2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
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Conclusion
The authority of the Apostles is derived directly from the Son of God.
Furthermore, the authority of the Son of God is derived directly from God the Father.
Believers affirm there is an authoritative hierarchy in the New Testament. How else would the Bible be considered authoritative if those writing the texts were men without divine authority? The process of canonization depended chiefly upon the writers’ credentials as being an apostle or writing under the supervision of an apostle. The apostles authority is derived from God the Son.
The above passages quoting the Lord Jesus were addressed to His living disciples. It is through extension of these teachings that believers understand these words apply to Christians in all ages. It is the same for the above passages from the writings of the apostles.
Therefore, whatever a Bible study determines about leadership within the Church during the A.D. first century, the leadership must not be domineering, done for self gain, selfish, by compulsion, or exercise lordship. But to the contrary,
leaders must be a servant who serves those who benefit from the service;
leaders serve for the sake of the benefactors,
Leaders become poor for the sake of those served;
the greatest leader is the one who becomes as the youngest or the least;
and a leader lays down his life for the benefactors.
Defining or interpreting the meaning of the New Testament Greek words used for leadership in the churches must follow the above teachings.
===============================================
The meanings provided in the Greek lexicons and glossaries are not entirely unpolluted definitions. The historical development of the ecclesiastical church offices has determined the meaning of the Greek texts and the corresponding English translations. The use of the English word “Bishop” to translate Greek words allows for the tradition that developed after the period of time when the New Testament was written to be read back into the Greek text reflecting ecclesiastical church offices.
This tradition of ecclesiastical church officers can be traced back to writings by Ignatius of Antioch (c. 35 – c. 107). In his Letter to the Magnesians 2, 6:1 he wrote. “Take care to do all things in harmony with God, with the bishop presiding in the place of God, and with the presbyters in the place of the council of the apostles, and with the deacons, who are most dear to me, entrusted with the business of Jesus Christ, who was with the Father from the beginning and is at last made manifest.”
Ignatius is the earliest known Christian writer to emphasize loyalty to a single bishop in each city who is assisted by both presbyters (elders) and deacons.
This tradition of ecclesiastical church officers can also be traced back to writings by Irenaeus sometime between A.D. 170-190.
Background on Irenaeus
Irenaeus is the first to argue for the principle of apostolic succession for the purpose to claim bishops provided the only accurate guide to interpreting scripture. He cataloged an ancestry of the bishops from which an unbroken line of bishops is traced to the apostles. It is from such a catalogue the succession of bishops in Rome is established. He argued this succession from bishop to bishop was important to establish the custodial succession for orthodoxy originating from the apostles. Irenaeus claimed the apostolic churches had preserved the same traditions and teachings through various independent sources. It was the unanimous agreement between these various independent sources of transmission that established the true orthodox doctrines. He used this argument against heresy, particularly Valentinian Gnostic influences.
He also considered the succession of presbyters (elders) necessary.
============================================
Hermeneutics
Discerning the meaning of a word or passage always requires applying all relevant passages to the interpretation, or in some cases, to the correct translation. Often this is described as the larger context of the entire Bible. This is the case for the correct understanding of the Greek text used to justify ecclesiastical church offices. Particularly, the following passages must be used to interpret leadership within the churches when using the New Testament as the source. These passages teach directly to the issue and teach by example.
What did the Lord Jesus teach about ecclesiastical church positions or offices and if there is to be a hierarchy of authority?
Mark 9:33-35 ESV - a direct instruction by Christ
33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”
Luke 22:25-27 ESV- a direct instruction by Christ
25 And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.
Matthew 23:11 ESV - a direct instruction by Christ
11 The greatest among you shall be your servant.
Luke 9:48 ESV - a direct instruction by Christ
48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”
John 10:15 ESV - an example of Christ
15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.
John 13:13-15 ESV - An Example of Christ
13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.
What did the Apostles teach about ecclesiastical church positions or offices and if there is an established hierarchy of authority?
2 Corinthians 4:5 ESV – an example of the Apostle Paul
5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.
2 Corinthians 8:9 ESV – an example of Christ
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
Philippians 2:7 ESV – an example of Christ
7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
1 Peter 5:2-3 ESV a direct teaching by the Apostle Peter for the shepherd of the flock to be an example
2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
================================================== =========
Conclusion
The authority of the Apostles is derived directly from the Son of God.
Furthermore, the authority of the Son of God is derived directly from God the Father.
Believers affirm there is an authoritative hierarchy in the New Testament. How else would the Bible be considered authoritative if those writing the texts were men without divine authority? The process of canonization depended chiefly upon the writers’ credentials as being an apostle or writing under the supervision of an apostle. The apostles authority is derived from God the Son.
The above passages quoting the Lord Jesus were addressed to His living disciples. It is through extension of these teachings that believers understand these words apply to Christians in all ages. It is the same for the above passages from the writings of the apostles.
Therefore, whatever a Bible study determines about leadership within the Church during the A.D. first century, the leadership must not be domineering, done for self gain, selfish, by compulsion, or exercise lordship. But to the contrary,
leaders must be a servant who serves those who benefit from the service;
leaders serve for the sake of the benefactors,
Leaders become poor for the sake of those served;
the greatest leader is the one who becomes as the youngest or the least;
and a leader lays down his life for the benefactors.
Defining or interpreting the meaning of the New Testament Greek words used for leadership in the churches must follow the above teachings.
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