What is the Bible's perspective on the pope?

Definition and Terminology

The term “pope,” deriving from a Greek word meaning “father,” is commonly understood today as the title for the Bishop of Rome within the Roman Catholic Church. Although this office carries significant authority in Catholic tradition, it is not explicitly mentioned in the biblical text, nor does the word “pope” appear anywhere in Scripture. When evaluating how Scripture addresses such a concept, one observes that the Bible describes leadership roles such as apostle, bishop/overseer (Greek: episkopos), elder/presbyter (Greek: presbyteros), and deacon (Greek: diakonos), but it does not describe a single, universal office of supreme authority over the entire church.

Foundational Biblical Principles of Authority

1. Christ as Head of the Church

Scripture consistently upholds Jesus Christ alone as the Head of the Church. Ephesians 1:22–23 states, “And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” This passage emphasizes that ultimate authority resides in Christ, not in any human office.

2. Priesthood of All Believers

The Bible teaches that all who believe in Christ share in a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood…”). While Scripture recognizes distinct roles for spiritual leadership and instruction, it consistently underscores the believer’s direct access to God and calls all Christians to function as part of the body of Christ.

3. Plurality of Elders and Bishops

The New Testament model shows churches led by multiple elders or bishops rather than by a singular figure claiming universal authority. Acts 14:23 notes that Paul and Barnabas “appointed elders for them in each church,” suggesting a local plurality of leadership. Likewise, Paul writes in Titus 1:5 that Titus was to “appoint elders in every town,” indicating a pattern of collective governance rather than a central human head.

Common Biblical Passages Cited Concerning a Papal Role

1. Matthew 16:18

One of the primary passages used to suggest biblical support for a papal office is Matthew 16:18: “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church…” Some interpret “this rock” to refer to Peter personally, holding that Christ was establishing Peter as the chief shepherd of His earthly church. However, others point out that the Greek words for “Peter” (Petros—“stone”) and “rock” (Petra—“bedrock”) could reference Peter’s confession of faith in Jesus as the Christ (Matthew 16:16), making that confession the foundational “rock.” Additionally, there is no further biblical development affirming a single human authority akin to a modern papal office.

2. John 21:15–17

Another passage cited is John 21:15–17, where Jesus tells Peter three times to “feed My sheep.” While this exchange underscores Peter’s crucial role in shepherding and strengthening the early believers, it does not establish him as having perpetual supremacy over all believers for all time. Later New Testament writings show other apostles (such as Paul) exercising significant authority, correcting Peter (Galatians 2:11–14), and guiding the churches through shared leadership.

3. “Keys of the Kingdom” (Matthew 16:19)

The “keys of the kingdom” granted to Peter are also sometimes referenced in discussions of papal authority. Yet in Matthew 18:18, the same language about “binding and loosing” is applied to all the disciples collectively. This suggests that the authority to proclaim the gospel and teach sound doctrine belongs to the entire apostolic community rather than a single figure.

Biblical Evaluation of Supreme Ecclesiastical Authority

1. No Uniquely Elevated Bishop of Rome in Scripture

While Rome was an influential city in the ancient world, and the apostle Paul penned a letter to believers in Rome, Scripture never designates a universal spiritual monarch over the church community there or elsewhere. In fact, the New Testament letters, which address doctrinal and practical concerns, make no mention of seeking or receiving instruction from an ultimate human authority beyond the apostolic band and Christ as Head.

2. Submission to Christ and His Word

Throughout the New Testament, believers are called to submit to Christ and His teaching, as conveyed through the inspired writings (2 Timothy 3:16–17), rather than to any self-claimed infallible human office. Ephesians 4:11–13 notes that Christ Himself “gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints…” for building up the church. Each role is important, but no single office emerges as supreme or infallible.

3. Role of Apostolic Tradition

Some defend the idea of a pope by appealing to early Christian tradition or subsequent church development that looked to Rome’s bishop as a leading figure. However, from a strictly Scriptural standpoint, final authority consistently rests on the revealed Word of God and the lordship of Christ, highlighted in passages such as Revelation 19:13, which names Jesus as “the Word of God.” Appeals to post-biblical tradition may offer historical perspective, but they do not override the patterns found in the New Testament itself.

Historical Perspectives and Outside Sources

1. Early Christian Writers

Early documents such as the Didache and writings from church fathers like Ignatius of Antioch and Polycarp provide insights into church leadership in the post-apostolic period. While they show respect for bishops, none of these earliest texts articulate a universally recognized single bishop in the manner later developed in the Roman Catholic papacy.

2. Archaeological Evidence of Early Christian Worship

Archaeological finds, including early house churches and inscriptions, reflect local leadership structures without indicating a centralized global figure akin to a pope. These remains indicate that Christian worship and governance were typically localized, with traveling apostles or their representatives providing oversight and correction.

3. Council Decrees and Later Church History

Significant shaping of the papal role took place in the centuries following the New Testament era, such as at key councils (e.g., councils in the fourth and fifth centuries). Nevertheless, these developments reflect church history rather than direct instruction from Scripture. From a biblical standpoint, the church structure described in the New Testament remains decentralized and focused on Christ’s headship.

Practical Implications

1. Christ’s All-Sufficient Mediation

1 Timothy 2:5 states, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” This teaching underscores that believers have a direct relationship with the Lord. No additional human intermediaries or hierarchies are needed to grant access to God.

2. Unity through Truth

Ephesians 4:3–6 instructs believers to be “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”, grounded in “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Unity in Scripture is established on shared devotion to Christ and His gospel, not on submission to a singular global earthly authority.

3. Authority Rests in God’s Word

Since the Bible (the “God-breathed” Word, per 2 Timothy 3:16–17) contains the authoritative teaching for faith and practice, believers turn there for ultimate guidance. This underscores the importance of each Christian’s responsibility to study Scripture and test traditions or teachings against it (Acts 17:11).

Conclusion

From the breadth of biblical evidence, one finds that the New Testament does not present or affirm an office equivalent to the modern papacy. Instead, it elevates Christ alone as Head of the Church, recognizes the collective leadership of elders and overseers, and teaches that all believers possess direct access to God through Christ.

Where tradition or historical development has elevated the Bishop of Rome to a singular, universal role, that practice does not arise from explicit biblical instruction. The consistent biblical emphasis is on Christ’s supreme authority, the local church’s shared leadership, and the believer’s personal relationship with God made possible through Jesus’ atoning work and resurrection (John 14:6; Romans 10:9). Consequently, from the standpoint of Scripture, the concept of a pope presiding as the ultimate earthly spiritual authority does not find foundation in the biblical text.