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 you wise men - חכמים chachamim, such as had gained knowledge by great labor and study. Understanding נבנים nebonim, persons of discernment, judicious men. Known, ידעים yeduim, persons practiced in the operations of nature, capable of performing curious and important works.

   Everything gathered on Deuteronomy 1:13→

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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

   “Captains over thousands, etc. - What a curious and well-regulated economy was that of the Israelites! See its order and arrangement: 1. God, the King and Supreme Judge; 2. Moses, God’s prime minister; 3. The priests, consulting him by Urim and Thummim; 4. The chiefs or princes of the twelve tribes; 5. Chilliarchs, or captains over thousands; 6. Centurions, or captains over hundreds; 7. Tribunes, or captains over fifty men; 8. Decurions, or captains over ten men; and, 9. Officers, persons who might be employed by the different chiefs in executing particular commands.

   Everything gathered on Deuteronomy 1:15→

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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→

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4. Acts 11:30

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

   ›Commentary on Acts 11:302 voices

   "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.

   “Which they also did,.... They not only determined, but they put their resolutions into execution, and acted according to a rule which the apostle recommends, 2Co 8:11 and sent it to the elders; to the apostles; for though there were deacons there, yet they chose to send it to them, that they might put it into proper hands to distribute to the necessitous: and this collection they sent by the hands of Saul and Barnabas; of this journey to Jerusalem, Paul makes no mention in Gal 1:17.

   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.

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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.”

   Verse page →Original language →

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

   “And as they went through the cities,.... Of Derbe, Lystra, and Iconium, and others in Lycaonia, and in Phrygia and Galatia; the Arabic version reads, "they both"; that is, Paul and Barnabas: they delivered them the decrees for to keep; they gave the churches, in these cities, the sentiments, and determinations to be observed and followed by them: that were ordained of the apostles which were at Jerusalem; concerning the abstinence of the Gentiles from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication, Act 15:20.

   Everything gathered on Acts 16:4→

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8. Acts 16:5

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

   ›Commentary on Acts 16:51 voice

   “Established in the faith - Confirmed in the belief of the gospel The effect of the wise and conciliatory measure was to increase and strengthen the churches.

   Everything gathered on Acts 16:5→

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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→

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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

    “Made you overseers - Εθετο επισκοπους, Appointed you bishops; for so we translate the original word in most places where it occurs: but overseers, or inspectors, is much more proper, from επι, over, and σκεπτομαι, I look. The persons who examine into the spiritual state of the flock of God, and take care to lead them in and out, and to find them pasture, are termed episcopoi, or superintendents.

    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 21:182 voices

    "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 …

    “Went in with us unto James - This was James the Less, son of Mary; and cousin to our Lord. He appears to have been bishop of the Church in Jerusalem, and perhaps the only apostle who continued in that city. We have already seen what a very important character he sustained in the council. See Act 15:

    Everything gathered on Acts 21:18→

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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.

    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 1:5–92 voices

    "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.

    “For this cause left I thee in Crete,.... Not in his voyage to Rome, Act 27:7 but rather when he came from Macedonia into Greece, Act 20:2. Crete is an island in the Mediterranean sea, now called Candy; See Gill on Act 2:

    Everything gathered on Titus 1:5–9→

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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 5:142 voices

    “Is any sick among you?.... Which is often the case; the bodies of the saints, as well as others, are liable to a variety of diseases; they are sick, and sometimes nigh unto death, as Epaphroditus was: and then, let him call for the elders of the church; in allusion to the elders of the congregation of Israel, Lev 4:

    “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders - This was also a Jewish maxim. Rabbi Simeon, in Sepher Hachaiyim, said: “What should a man do who goes to visit the sick? Ans. He who studies to restore the health of the body, should first lay the foundation in the health of the soul. The wise men have said, No healing is equal to that which comes from the word of God and prayer.

    Everything gathered on James 5:14→

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