Dictionaries :: Elder, Eldest

Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words

Elder, Eldest:

an adjective, the comparative degree of presbus, "an old man, an elder," is used

(a) of age, whether of the "elder" of two persons, Luk 15:25, or more, Jhn 8:9, "the eldest;" or of a person advanced in life, a senior, Act 2:17; in Hbr 11:2, the "elders" are the forefathers in Israel; so in Mat 15:2; Mar 7:3, 5; the feminine of the adjective is used of "elder" women in the churches, 1Ti 5:2, not in respect of position but in seniority of age;

(b) of rank or positions of responsibility,

(1) among Gentiles, as in the Sept. of Gen 50:7; Num 22:7;

(2) in the Jewish nation, firstly, those who were the heads or leaders of the tribes and families, as of the seventy who assisted Moses, Num 11:16; Deu 27:1, and those assembled by Solomon; secondly, members of the Sanhedrin, consisting of the chief priests, "elders" and scribes, learned in Jewish law, e.g., Mat 16:21; 26:47; thirdly, those who managed public affairs in the various cities, Luk 7:3;

(3) in the Christian churches, those who, being raised up and qualified by the work of the Holy Spirit, were appointed to have the spiritual care of, and to exercise oversight over, the churches. To these the term "bishops," episkopoi, or "overseers," is applied (see Acts 20, ver. 17 with ver. 28, and Tts 1:5, 7), the latter term indicating the nature of their work, presbuteroi their maturity of spirtual experience. The Divine arrangement seen throughout the NT was for a plurality of these to be appointed in each church, Act 14:23; 20:17; Phl 1:1; 1Ti 5:17; Tts 1:5. The duty of "elders" is described by the verb episkopeo. They were appointed according as they had given evidence of fulfilling the Divine qualifications, Tts 1:6-9; cp. 1Ti 3:1-7; 1Pe 5:2;

(4) the twenty-four "elders" enthroned in heaven around the throne of God, Rev 4:4, 10; 5:5-14; 7:11, 13; 11:16; 14:3; 19:4. The number twenty-four is representative of earthly conditions. The word "elder" is nowhere applied to angels.
See OLD.

Elder, Eldest:

"a fellow-elder" (sun, "with"), is used in 1Pe 5:1.

Elder, Eldest:

"greater," the comparative degree of megas, "great," is used of age, and translated "elder" in Rom 9:12, with reference to Esau and Jacob.
See GREATER, GREATEST, MORE.

Elder, Eldest:

"an assembly of aged men," denotes

(a) the Council or Senate among the Jews, Luk 22:66; Act 22:5;

(b) the "elders" or bishops in a local church, 1Ti 4:14, "the presbytery." For their functions see A, No. 1, (3).