Lexical Summary presbuterion: Council of elders, eldership Original Word: πρεσβυτέριον Strong's Exhaustive Concordance presbytery, body of eldersNeuter of a presumed derivative of presbuteros; the order of elders, i.e. (specially), Israelite Sanhedrin or Christian "presbytery" -- (estate of) elder(-s), presbytery. see GREEK presbuteros HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 4244 presbytérion – properly, a council (group) of elders; a team of elder-overseers serving a local church who lead (feed, shepherd) the people of the Lord (cf. 1 Tim 4:14). 1 Tim 4:14: “Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery” (NASU) (4244 /presbytérion). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom presbuteros Definition a body of elders NASB Translation council of the elders (1), council of elders (1), presbytery (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4244: πρεσβυτέριονπρεσβυτέριον, πρεσβυτερίου, τό (πρεσβύτερος, which see), body of elders, presbytery, senate, council: of the Jewish elders (see συνέδριον, 2), Luke 22:66; Acts 22:5; (cf. Daniel, Theod. at the beginning); of the elders of any body (church) of Christians, 1 Timothy 4:14 (ecclesiastical writings (cf. references under the word πρεσβύτερος, 2 b.)). Topical Lexicon Scope of the Termπρεσβυτέριον (presbyterion) designates a collective body of elders. In Scripture it can describe (1) the formal council that governed Israel in the Second-Temple era, and (2) the group of duly recognized church elders who oversee ministry and doctrine. The word therefore bridges Jewish and Christian settings, underscoring continuity in the biblical pattern of rule by mature, spiritually tested men. Old Testament Background Although the noun itself is Greek, the concept reaches back to the seventy elders who shared Moses’ burden of leadership (Numbers 11:16-17), the town elders who deliberated at the gate (Deuteronomy 21:19), and the elders summoned by Samuel and the prophets (1 Samuel 8:4; Joel 1:14). Their function combined wisdom, representation, and accountability before God on behalf of the people. Second-Temple Jewish Usage By the first century the elders formed part of the Sanhedrin, the supreme council seated in Jerusalem. Alongside the chief priests and scribes, they examined matters of doctrine and civil life. Luke 22:66 reports, “At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, came together and led Him into their council, saying….” Here πρεσβυτέριον identifies the ruling body that arraigned Jesus. In Acts 22:5 Paul testifies that letters from “the council of the elders” authorized him to persecute believers, revealing the council’s breadth of jurisdiction and its oppositional stance toward the nascent church. Transition to Church Governance With the resurrection of Christ and the outpouring of the Spirit, leadership moved from a temple-centered hierarchy to congregational eldership. Yet the plural structure remained. Acts 14:23 records that Paul and Barnabas “appointed elders for them in every church,” a practice reaffirmed in Titus 1:5. Whereas individual leaders are called presbyteros, the collective oversight is presbyterion. This distinction is evident in 1 Timothy 4:14: “Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders”. The verse indicates: • Public recognition and affirmation of God-given gifting. Ministerial Implications 1. Plural Leadership πρεσβυτέριον safeguards against autocracy by requiring a plurality of qualified elders (1 Peter 5:1-3). Joint decision-making fosters balanced judgment and mutual accountability. 2. Continuity of the Covenant Community The same word that once described Israel’s tribunal now names the church’s shepherding body, illustrating that the redeemed assembly inherits and transforms the elder pattern rather than discarding it. 3. Doctrinal Stewardship As heirs of the apostolic deposit, the presbyterion maintains orthodoxy (2 Timothy 2:2) and disciplines error (1 Timothy 5:19-20). Its collective voice protects the flock from private novelty. 4. Commissioning and Gift Recognition Through laying on of hands the presbyterion acknowledges spiritual gifts and sets apart workers (cf. Acts 13:3). The rite confers no human power but affirms divine calling. Theological Reflections The triune God governs His people through accountable human agents who model His character. The Father’s wisdom, the Son’s servant leadership, and the Spirit’s unity are to be reflected in the presbyterion. Christ, the “Chief Shepherd” (1 Peter 5:4), remains the ultimate authority; elders serve as under-shepherds, steering the church toward maturity (Ephesians 4:11-13). Contemporary Application Churches today honor πρεσβυτέριον when they: • Recognize elders who meet the moral and doctrinal criteria of 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9. Summary πρεσβυτέριον embodies God’s design for collective, mature, and Spirit-guided leadership, from Israel’s elders to the New Testament church. Its three New Testament occurrences reveal a transition from a council that opposed Jesus to one that advances His mission. Properly understood and applied, the presbyterion supplies stability, doctrinal fidelity, and pastoral care to the people of God. Forms and Transliterations πρεσβείς πρέσβεις πρέσβυς πρεσβυτεριον πρεσβυτέριον πρεσβυτεριου πρεσβυτερίου presbuterion presbuteriou presbyterion presbytérion presbyteriou presbyteríouLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 22:66 N-NNSGRK: συνήχθη τὸ πρεσβυτέριον τοῦ λαοῦ NAS: it was day, the Council of elders of the people KJV: day, the elders of the people INT: were gathered together the elderhood of the people Acts 22:5 N-NNS 1 Timothy 4:14 N-GNS Strong's Greek 4244 |
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