Strong's Lexicon episkopos: Overseer, Bishop Original Word: ἐπίσκοπος Word Origin: Derived from ἐπί (epi, "over") and σκοπός (skopos, "watcher" or "guardian") Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Hebrew equivalent often associated with the role of an overseer is פָּקִיד (paqiyd, Strong's 6485), which means officer or overseer. Usage: The term "episkopos" refers to an overseer or guardian, often used in the context of church leadership. In the New Testament, it denotes a person who has the responsibility of overseeing the spiritual well-being and administrative functions of a Christian community. The role involves teaching, guiding, and protecting the congregation, ensuring adherence to sound doctrine and moral conduct. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, the term "episkopos" was used in secular contexts to describe officials who had oversight responsibilities, such as inspectors or supervisors. In the early Christian church, the role of an episkopos evolved to become a key leadership position. The early church adopted this term to describe leaders who were entrusted with the care and governance of local congregations, reflecting a structure that emphasized accountability and pastoral care. HELPS Word-studies 1985 epískopos (a masculine noun, derived from 1909 /epí, "on/fitting contact," which intensifies 4649 /skopós, "look intently," like at an end-marker concluding a race) – properly, an overseer; a man called by God to literally "keep an eye on" His flock (the Church, the body of Christ), i.e. to provide personalized (first hand) care and protection (note the epi, "on"). "Though in some contexts 1985 (epískopos) has been regarded traditionally as a position of authority, in reality the focus is upon the responsibility for caring for others" (L & N, 1, 35.40). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom epi and skopos Definition a superintendent, an overseer NASB Translation guardian (1), overseer (2), overseers (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1985: ἐπίσκοποςἐπίσκοπος, ἐπισκόπου, ὁ (ἐπισκέπτομαι), an overseer, a man charged with the duty of seeing that things to be done by others are done rightly, any curator, guardian, or superintendent; the Sept. for פָּקִיד, Judges 9:28; Nehemiah 11:9, 14, 22; 2 Kings 11:15, etc.; 1 Macc. 1:51. The word has the same comprehensive sense in Greek writings from Homer Odys. 8, 163; Iliad 22, 255 down; hence, in the N. T. ἐπίσκοπον τῶν ψυχῶν, guardian of souls, one who watches over their welfare: 1 Peter 2:25 ((τόν παντός πνεύματος κτίστην καί ἐπίσκοπον, Clement of Rome, 1 Cor. 59, 3 [ET]); ἀρχιερεύς καί προστάτης τῶν ψυχῶν ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦς Χριστός, ibid. 61, 3 [ET]; (cf. Sir. 1:6)), cf. Hebrews 13:17. specifically, the superintendent, head or overseer of any Christian church; Vulg.episcopus: Acts 20:28; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:7; see πρεσβύτερος, 2 b.; (and for the later use of the word, see Dict. of Chris. Antiq. under the word Strong's Exhaustive Concordance bishop, overseer. From epi and skopos (in the sense of episkopeo); a superintendent, i.e. Christian officer in genitive case charge of a (or the) church (literally or figuratively) -- bishop, overseer. see GREEK epi see GREEK skopos see GREEK episkopeo Forms and Transliterations επίσκοποι επισκοποις επισκόποις ἐπισκόποις επισκοπον επίσκοπον ἐπίσκοπον επίσκοπος επισκόπου επισκοπους επισκόπους ἐπισκόπους επισκόπων επίσπαστρον episkopois episkópois episkopon epískopon episkopous episkópousLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 20:28 N-AMPGRK: ἅγιον ἔθετο ἐπισκόπους ποιμαίνειν τὴν NAS: has made you overseers, to shepherd KJV: you overseers, to feed INT: Holy did set overseers to shepherd the Philippians 1:1 N-DMP 1 Timothy 3:2 N-AMS Titus 1:7 N-AMS 1 Peter 2:25 N-AMS Strong's Greek 1985 |
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