In the context of the Christian church, the term "elder" is a significant title and role, deeply rooted in both the Old and New Testaments. Elders are often seen as leaders, shepherds, and overseers within the church community, entrusted with spiritual guidance and governance.

Old Testament Background

The concept of elders is first introduced in the Old Testament, where elders were respected leaders and decision-makers within the Israelite community. They were often associated with wisdom and experience, playing crucial roles in governance and religious life. For instance, in Exodus 3:16, God instructs Moses to gather the elders of Israel to communicate His plans for their deliverance from Egypt: "Go, gather the elders of Israel and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, has appeared to me and said: I have watched over you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt.’" .

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the role of elders becomes more defined within the early Christian church. Elders are appointed to oversee and shepherd the local congregations. The Apostle Paul, in his missionary journeys, established elders in the churches he founded. In Acts 14:23, it is recorded, "Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church, and with prayer and fasting, they committed them to the Lord, in whom they had believed." .

The qualifications and responsibilities of elders are further detailed in the pastoral epistles. In 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9, Paul outlines the moral and spiritual qualifications required for someone to serve as an elder, emphasizing qualities such as being above reproach, self-controlled, hospitable, and able to teach.

Role and Function

Elders are tasked with shepherding the flock, providing spiritual oversight, and teaching sound doctrine. In 1 Peter 5:1-3, Peter exhorts the elders: "As a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them—not out of compulsion, but because it is God’s will; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock." .

Elders are also involved in decision-making and maintaining church discipline. In James 5:14, they are called upon to pray for the sick: "Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord." .

Terminology and Synonyms

The term "elder" is often used interchangeably with "overseer" (Greek: episkopos) and "pastor" (Greek: poimen) in the New Testament, reflecting the multifaceted nature of the role. In Acts 20:17,28, Paul addresses the elders of the church in Ephesus, referring to them as overseers and charging them to shepherd the church of God.

Conclusion

The role of elders is integral to the structure and function of the church, serving as spiritual leaders who guide, teach, and protect the congregation. Their responsibilities are rooted in biblical principles, emphasizing character, wisdom, and a heart for service.1 Timothy 5:17
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Peter 5:1
The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Last Interview of Paul with the Elders of Ephesus.
... no sinecures in the Christian Church, and that the names of office are not empty
titles of honour ... intended to be a precedent to the ministers of religion ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxiv the last interview.htm

Episcopalians.
... appointed, and the manner in which ministers are invested ... Vicars, Curates, Archdeacons,
and such like names, being not ... these are in truth but titles of office ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/episcopalians.htm

English Version of the Second Helvetic Confession, AD 1566.
... that 'in the books of the Kings, the names and books ... they be set out with goodly
titles, as though ... something created, and that serves and ministers unto another ...
/.../english version of the second.htm

The Pastoral Epistles
... Epistles do not correspond with the titles used in ... the title "episkopos" only to
the highest ministers of the ... would have put twenty-three proper names into the ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter xvii the pastoral epistles.htm

The Catholic System.
... burst forth, and were striving under various names to tear ... problems which now occupied
the attention of its leading ministers. ... [568:2] These titles cannot now ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter viii the catholic system.htm

Gospel Missions
... or two still remaining, precious and treasured names; we love ... to himself as one of
his peculiar titles, for he ... we have power; we are God's ministers; we preach ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/gospel missions.htm

Footnotes
... the other was called Resolutioners, which names occasioned lamentable ... list of the
non-conforming ministers in the ... Sederunt Mr John Carstaires and the Elders. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/footnotes.htm

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
... that is the way to hasten the downfall of Antichrist, ministers need reforming ... things
of worship of Antichrist; it dwells in the titles and names that are ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/of antichrist and his ruin .htm

Hypocrisy
... of Christians"that they have generally taken names of abuse ... you are not seeking for
honors or titles, but that ... so may there be among the ministers of Christ. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/hypocrisy.htm

On the Clause, and in one Lord Jesus Christ, with a Reading from ...
... And He is called by two names, Jesus Christ ... the inspired Prophet Moses conferred
these two titles on two ... for to such diseases also Jesus ministers [1189] , and ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture x on the clause.htm

What is the name of God? | GotQuestions.org

Is it biblical to call the wife of a pastor, elder, or bishop the First Lady of the church? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of “Everlasting Father” in Isaiah 9:6? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus