What is an "Elder" in the Church?

The term "elder" is used throughout the Bible, occurring some 200 times, to denote one in a leadership position whether at home, in the community, or an ecclesiastical assembly. An elder is generally seen as one who is mature, both in age and wisdom.

In the Old Testament:

We find this word first used in Genesis 50:7 where it refers to senior members of Joseph's household as well as officials from Egypt who attended Jacob's funeral in Canaan. Here, "elder" appears more as a title rather than an indicator of age. When God had an important message for the Hebrew people, the "elders of the people" were called to hear it from Moses (Ex. 3:16). It is later used specifically of the men chosen by Moses to help judge the Hebrew people. Moses selected godly men to help judge the people for the load was too great for one man (Exo. 18:25). The elders spoke for the people and received commands from God through Moses on behalf of the people (Exo. 19:7-8). The elders also commanded the people of God concerning God's will, along with Moses (Deu 27:1).

Elders were looked up to as pillars of the community. As such, they are subject to greater accountability with God. Their actions could lead a great number of people astray (Isa 3:14-15). Rather than leading people astray, elders were to remind us of God's past accomplishments in the lives of His people (Deu 32:7). Their faith was an inspiration to the people, a good testimony (Heb. 11:1-2) of their trust in God and His faithfulness.

In the New Testament:

The New Testament speaks of elders being appointed in every church through specific ordination (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5). In this case, they were appointed to their positions by godly men (Paul and Barnabas) who fasted and prayed about the decision. The implication is that the elders were also godly men, worthy of this ordination. Paul commanded Titus to "set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you" (Titus 1:5, NKJV). Elders, then, are to bring order to the church through godly leadership. They shepherd the church as overseers (1 Pet. 5:1-4), appoint others to leadership positions in the church (1 Tim. 4:14), settle doctinal questions and issue authoritative orders for the church body (Acts 15:2-6; 16:4), and pray for those who are sick in the church (James 5:14-16).

The Elder as Pastor:

Is the elder the same as "pastor"? There are different views of this issue. Churches use differing terminology in regard to the leadership in their respective congregations. Some even distinguish the roles of "elder" and "overseer" or "bishop. The different terms used in Scripture of those in lead ministerial positions are:

Episkopos: The Greek word "episkopos" in 1 Tim. 3:1 is translated "bishop" (KJV/NKJV), "overseer" (NAS/NIV), "elder" (NLT), and "pastor" (TLB).
Presbuteros: The Greek word "presbuteros" in Titus 1:5 is translated "elders" (KJV/NKJV/NIV/NLT) and "pastors" (TLB).
Diakonous: This Greek word is translated "deacon" in 1 Tim. 3:8 and is used of a subordinate office to the bishop/overseer.

Interestingly, the terms "elder" (presbuteros) and "bishop" (episkopos) are used interchangeably (Titus 1:5,7). In 1 Peter 5:1-5, Peter exhorts the "elders" and even calls himself a "fellow elder" (v1). He then commands them to "shepherd the flock" (v2) by serving as "overseers" (v2). The elders/shepherds/overseers had people entrusted to their ministry (v3) including younger people who were to submit to their leadership (v5). Scripture, then, does not distinguish between these terms as different roles or offices in the church. One may view "elder" as emphasizing the quality of maturity and respect while "bishop" emphasizes the actual role of leading God's flock (Thomas, Earle, Hiebert. The Expositor's Bible Commentary: 1,2 Thessalonians/1,2 Timothy/Titus. Zondervan: Grand Rapids, MI. Copyright 1996. p. 204.).

One in the position of elder holds a position of great responsibility but also of great honor. Scripture clearly teaches that the people of God are to honor the elders of the church:

Elders who discharge their duties well are to be accorded double the honor of the average church member (1 Tim 5:17-18).
Elders who minister the word and doctrinal guidelines should be accorded special honor in the church (1 Tim 5:17-18).
One who serves as a teaching elder should be rewarded monetarily as is appropriate for "The laborer is worthy of his wages" (1 Tim 5:17-18, NKJV).
Elders, because of their key position in the church, should not be accused unfairly or frivolously. An accusation should not even be received unless two or three gather to accuse and the ones who accuse are witnesses of the offense(1 Tim 5:19).

Several other references to elders in the New Testament are worth noting. The religious leaders in the Jewish community were referred to as "elders" (Matt. 15:2; Mark 14:53; Acts 4:5). In reference to older men in general, Paul commands that they are not to be rebuked but treated with gentleness and respect as one would treat one's own father (1 Tim. 5:1; Titus 2:2). Older women are to be treated with this same gentleness and respect as one would treat one's own mother (1 Tim. 5:2; Titus 2:3). Clearly the aged members of our family, community, and churches are to be shown the utmost of respect. The context of these references does not suggest that any aged person is an officer in the church, but only those that are qualified (1 Tim. 3:2-7; Titus 1:6-9) and are willing to serve (1 Tim. 3:1; 1 Pet. 5:2). The final reference to an elder appears in Revelation 4:4 where twenty-four elders sit before the throne of God in Heaven. Whether this is interpreted literally or figuratively, it points to a position of great responsibility and honor.