Lexicon episkopos: Overseer, Bishop Original Word: ἐπίσκοπος 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 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 Topical Lexicon Word Origin: Derived from ἐπί (epi, meaning "upon" or "over") and σκοπός (skopos, meaning "watcher" or "guardian").Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of oversight and guardianship in the Hebrew Scriptures can be related to terms such as פָּקַד (paqad, Strong's Hebrew 6485), which conveys the idea of attending to, visiting, or overseeing. While not a direct equivalent, it shares thematic elements of responsibility and care. Usage: The term ἐπίσκοπος is used in the New Testament to refer to a leader within the early Christian church, often translated as "overseer" or "bishop." It denotes a role of spiritual oversight and pastoral care. Context: The term ἐπίσκοπος appears in several New Testament passages, highlighting its significance in the early church's structure. In Acts 20:28, Paul addresses the elders of the church in Ephesus, instructing them to "Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood." Here, the role of ἐπίσκοπος is closely associated with pastoral care and spiritual oversight. 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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