Elder

How Nave’s arranged it

• IN THE MOSAIC SYSTEM
• (Equivalent to the title senator, in present use)
• Elders, with delegated powers, were authorized to act for their constituencyDeuteronomy 1:13Deuteronomy 1:15
• See Government, Mosaic
• IN THE CHRISTIAN CHURCHActs 11:29Acts 11:30Acts 14:23Acts 15:1–35Acts 16:4Acts 16:5Acts 20:17Acts 20:28–32Acts 21:181 Timothy 4:141 Timothy 5:17–19Titus 1:5–9Hebrews 11:2James 5:14James 5:151 Peter 5:1–52 John 1:13 John 1:1
• APOCALYPTIC VISION OFRevelation 4:4Revelation 4:10Revelation 5:5Revelation 5:6Revelation 5:8Revelation 5:11Revelation 5:14Revelation 7:11Revelation 7:13Revelation 11:16Revelation 14:3Revelation 19:4
• See Deacon
• Also see CHURCH, GOVERNMENT OF

The passages, in Bible order (32)

The same references, sorted Genesis to Revelation. The first 16 are quoted in full; the rest are one click beneath them, book by book.

1. Deuteronomy 1:13

   Choose for yourselves wise, understanding, and respected men from each of your tribes, and I will appoint them as your leaders.”

   ›Commentary on Deuteronomy 1:131 voice

   “Take ye wise men, and understanding, and known among your tribes,.... Not only whose persons were well known, but their characters and qualifications, for their probity and integrity, for their wisdom and prudence in the management of affairs, for their skill and knowledge in things divine and human, civil and religious, and for their capacity in judging and determining matters in difference; see Exo 18:21. and I will make them rulers over you; the people were allowed to choose their own officers, whom they were to bring to Moses, and present before him, to be invested with their office.

   Everything gathered on Deuteronomy 1:13→

   Verse page →Original language →

2. Deuteronomy 1:15

   So I took the leaders of your tribes, wise and respected men, and appointed them as leaders over you—as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens, and as officers for your tribes.

   ›Commentary on Deuteronomy 1:151 voice

   “So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and known,....

   Everything gathered on Deuteronomy 1:15→

   Verse page →Original language →

3. Acts 11:29

   So the disciples, each according to his ability, decided to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.

   ›Commentary on Acts 11:291 voice

   “They decided to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. They knew that in Judea, and especially in Jerusalem, the famine would rage more fiercely. There, the poor saints, who, having sold their possessions, houses, and fields, brought the prices to the apostles, did …

   Everything gathered on Acts 11:29→

   Verse page →Original language →

4. Acts 11:30

   This they did, sending their gifts to the elders with Barnabas and Saul.

   ›Commentary on Acts 11:301 voice

   "To send relief to the brethren." From this it becomes clear that the apostles held the dignity of elders as well, although, besides this, they were at the rank of deacons and bishops.

   Everything gathered on Acts 11:30→

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5. Acts 14:23

   Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church, praying and fasting as they entrusted them to the Lord, in whom they had believed.

   ›Commentary on Acts 14:231 voice

   "And passing through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia," etc. It is related that, preaching in like manner through various cities, they departed for Antioch. There, they told the assembled faithful what great things the Lord had granted the Gentiles; how, opening the door of faith, …

   Everything gathered on Acts 14:23→

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6. Acts 15:1–35

   Then some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”

   ›Commentary on Acts 15:1–351 voice

   Observe what he alleges as a proof of his statement: "Christians at first were few in number and held the same opinions, but when they grew to be a great multitude, they were divided and separated, each wishing to have his own individual party. This was their object from the beginning."

   Everything gathered on Acts 15:1–35→

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7. Acts 16:4

   As they went from town to town, they delivered the decisions handed down by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey.

   ›Commentary on Acts 16:41 voice

   “They say that "they delivered the decrees to the faithful to observe," they delivered not the mysteries of the incarnation, but the instructions "to abstain from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication" (Acts 15:29) — everything that …

   Everything gathered on Acts 16:4→

   Verse page →Original language →

8. Acts 16:5

   So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.

   ›Commentary on Acts 16:51 voice

   “And so were the churches established in the faith,.... Of Christ, both in the grace and doctrine of faith; and that both by the preaching of the Gospel by the apostle and his companions, and by the decrees of the elders delivered by him: and increased in number daily; as well as in gifts and grace.

   Everything gathered on Acts 16:5→

   Verse page →Original language →

9. Acts 20:17

   From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church.

   ›Commentary on Acts 20:172 voices

   “And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus,.... Which is said, by some, to be about four hundred furlongs from Miletus, and, by others, ten German miles. And called the elders of the church; that is, at Ephesus; not the ancient members of the church, but the officers of it; the pastors, bishops, and overseers, as they are called, Act 20:28 and are so styled from their office, and not their age.

   “But that Paul taught with simplicity what he knew, not only to those who were [employed] with him, but to those that heard him, he does himself make manifest. For when the bishops and presbyters who came from Ephesus and the other cities adjoining had assembled in Miletus, since he was himself hastening to Jerusalem to observe Pentecost, after testifying many things to them, and declaring what must happen to him at Jerusalem, he added: "I know that ye shall see my face no more.

   Everything gathered on Acts 20:17→

   Verse page →Original language →

10. Acts 20:28–32

    Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.

    ›Commentary on Acts 20:28–321 voice

    “When, in reply to this, the Lord had figured the restoration of the lost ewe, to whom else is it credible that he configured it but to the lost heathen, about whom the question was then in hand,-not about a Christian, who up to that time had no existence? Else, what kind of (hypothesis) is it that the Lord, like a quibbler in answering, omitting the present subject-matter which it was His duty to refute, should spend His labour about one yet future?

    Everything gathered on Acts 20:28–32→

    Verse page →Original language →

11. Acts 21:18

    The next day Paul went in with us to see James, and all the elders were present.

    ›Commentary on Acts 21:181 voice

    "On the next day Paul came with us to James." James was the bishop of Jerusalem; this is the brother of the Lord, a great man and worthy of admiration. Paul tells them what happened among the Gentiles, not out of vainglory, but wishing to …

    Everything gathered on Acts 21:18→

    Verse page →Original language →

12. 1 Timothy 4:14

    Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given you through the prophecy spoken over you at the laying on of the hands of the elders.

    ›Commentary on 1 Timothy 4:141 voice

    The apostle clearly teaches that presbyters are the same as bishops.… Writing to Titus the apostle says, "For this cause I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are wanting, and appoint presbyters in every city, as I had instructed. If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having believing children not accused of wantonness or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless as the steward of God."

    Everything gathered on 1 Timothy 4:14→

    Verse page →Original language →

13. 1 Timothy 5:17–19

    Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

    ›Commentary on 1 Timothy 5:17–191 voice

    “To the indictment of your appetite pertains (the charge) that "double honour" is with you assigned to your presiding (elders) by double shares (of meat and drink); whereas the apostle has given them "double honour" as being both brethren and officers. Who, among you, is superior in holiness, except him who is more frequent in banqueting, more sumptuous in catering, more learned in cups? Men of soul and flesh alone as you are, justly do you reject things spiritual.

    Everything gathered on 1 Timothy 5:17–19→

    Verse page →Original language →

14. Titus 1:5–9

    The reason I left you in Crete was that you would set in order what was unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.

    ›Commentary on Titus 1:5–91 voice

    "For this reason, I left you in Crete, so that you would correct what was lacking." It is the dignity of the apostolic Church to lay the foundation, which no one can lay except the architect. And the foundation is none other than Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 3:11). Those who are lesser artisans can build houses upon the foundation.

    Everything gathered on Titus 1:5–9→

    Verse page →Original language →

15. Hebrews 11:2

    This is why the ancients were commended.

    ›Commentary on Hebrews 11:21 voice

    “He shows both those before the law and those under the law becoming God's friends through faith and enjoying distinction. In this he achieves two things at the same time: he brings out the power of faith (faith accomplishing what the law did not achieve) …

    Everything gathered on Hebrews 11:2→

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16. James 5:14

    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.

    ›Commentary on James 5:141 voice

    “And let them pray over him, anointing him, etc. We read that the apostles did this in the Gospel, and now the custom of the Church holds that the sick are anointed with consecrated oil by the presbyters, and are healed with accompanying prayer. Not …

    Everything gathered on James 5:14→

    Verse page →Original language →