Presbyters, episkopoi, and deacons
The New Testament uses several ministry terms. Philippians addresses overseers and deacons; Acts 20 calls the same Ephesian leaders elders and says the Spirit made them overseers. Later threefold terminology should not be read back without qualification.
Scripture
- Philippians 1:1 — Paul greets overseers and deacons with the Philippian church.
- Acts 20:17-28 — Paul summons Ephesian elders and describes their oversight of the flock.
- Titus 1:5-9 — Elders are appointed and the text turns to the qualifications of an overseer.
Primary sources
Paul tells them:
Paul addresses the Ephesian elders as overseers charged by the Spirit to shepherd the assembly.
the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of the Lord and God
Passage context and translation
Paul addresses the Ephesian elders summoned in Acts 20:17 and describes them with the language of oversight and shepherding. A textual note records variation between 'Lord' and 'God.'
Before the excerpt
Take heed, therefore, to yourselves and to all the flock, in which
After the excerpt
which he purchased with his own blood