10 Key Bible Verses on Elders

This article is part of the Key Bible Verses series.

All commentary notes adapted from the ESV Study Bible.

1. 1 Timothy 3:1–7

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. Read More

The terms overseer, “elder,” and “pastor” (or “shepherd”) are all used in the NT to refer to the same office. In Titus 1:5–9 “elder” and “overseer” are used interchangeably. In Acts 20:28 Paul tells the Ephesian elders (Gk. presbyteros, Acts 20:17) that “the Holy Spirit has made you overseers [Gk. episkopos], to care for [Gk. poimainō, “to pastor, serve as shepherd of”] the church of God.” Peter also writes, “I exhort the elders [Gk. presbyteros] among you, as a fellow elder . . . : shepherd [Gk. poimainō, “to pastor”] the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight” (1 Pet. 5:1–2). Paul commends the role of serving the church in this way as a noble task. “Overseer” stresses the role of watching over the congregation (see Heb. 13:17).

2. Titus 1:5–9

This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. Read More

The occasion is the need for proper leadership. Paul begins the body of the letter with a reminder to Titus of the directions for ministry that he had left with him. Unlike most of Paul’s letters, there is no thanksgiving section. While this is unusual for Paul, it is not unique (cf. Galatians) and it is not unusual in first-century letters. A “virtue list” provides the portrait of the sort of leadership needed for the new churches in Crete. The emphasis is on good behavior (seen esp. in the home) and the ability to teach. Thus these leaders embody the fact that the gospel (“the truth”; see note on 1 Tim. 2:4) results in “godliness” (Titus 1:1).

The fact that the churches in Crete do not yet have elders and that there are things that need to be put . . . into order suggests that these churches are still fairly young. Titus is there as Paul’s delegate to get these churches properly established. In every town is the consistent pattern of government in all NT churches: elders govern the churches (cf. notes on Acts 1:26; Acts 14:23; Acts 20:17). As is typical in the NT, “elders” is plural. Here it is used interchangeably with “overseer” (Titus 1:7). The rest of the NT shows that these two terms, as well as “pastor” (cf. Eph. 4:11, ESV footnote), refer to the same office (see note on 1 Tim. 3:1).

Above reproach (repeated in Titus 1:7) summarizes the main point, which the rest of the list ( Titus 1:6–9) fills out: there should be no legitimate accusation that could be brought against the elder that would bring disrepute on the gospel or the church; his life should be seen as worthy of imitation. husband of one wife. See note on 1 Tim. 3:2–3. His children are believers can also be rendered “his children are faithful” (Gk. pistos). The primary argument for rendering it as “believers” is that in the letters to Timothy and Titus, this word almost always refers to saving faith. Those who think it should be rendered “faithful” would argue that no father can guarantee the conversion of his own children, but he can ordinarily ensure that they act in a “faithful” way. Also, the parallel passage in 1 Timothy 3 says only that the children must be well-behaved, not that their conversion is a requirement for their father to be an overseer. The concern in the passage is that the children behave appropriately and are not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. The word “children” (plural of Gk. teknon) would apply only to children living at home and still under their father’s authority.

able to give instruction. It was common in the ancient world to emphasize one item in a list by placing it at the beginning or end and giving it more attention than the other items. The ability to teach is the distinguishing mark of a pastor or elder. This includes both teaching what is right and refuting error. The reason for this emphasis is clear from what follows (Titus 1:10–16).

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3. 1 Peter 5:1–4

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Read More

The most common NT term for church leaders is elders. Apparently elders served as leaders in all the churches, including those in the northern part of Asia Minor, showing that this was the typical form of leadership in NT churches. Peter, who is an apostle (1 Pet. 1:1), also serves as a fellow elder and an authoritative witness of Christ’s ministry, especially his sufferings. Peter often reminds those to whom he writes that suffering precedes glory (cf. 1 Peter 1:6–7, 1 Peter 1:11,1 Peter 1:21; 1 Peter 2:4, 1 Peter 2:7, 1 Peter 2:19–20; 1 Peter 3:13–14, 1 Peter 3:18; 1 Peter 4:6, 1 Peter 4:13; 1 Peter 5:4, 1 Peter 5:6, 1 Peter 5:10).

Elders (1 Pet. 5:1) are entrusted with the responsibility to shepherd the flock (Gk. poimainō, “to tend sheep; to act as a shepherd”; cf. John 21:16; Acts 20:28; Eph. 4:11), from which the English verb and noun “pastor” is derived (Latin pastor means “shepherd”). Elders are also entrusted with exercising oversight (translating Gk. episkopeō), which is the verb form of the noun “overseer” (Gk. episkopos), which is another title for those who serve as elders (cf. Acts 20:28). The terms “shepherd” and “exercising oversight” emphasize the function of elders (i.e., they are to feed and watch over “the flock”), while the title “elder” focuses on the office. Peter now gives three exhortations to elders as to how they are to carry out the responsibilities entrusted to them: (1) elders are to “shepherd” the church gladly or willingly, in accord with God’s will, instead of doing it out of a sense of compulsion; (2) they are to do the work eagerly and not out of greed or for shameful gain (Gk. aischrokerdōs, “in fondness for dishonest gain, greedily”); (3) they are to serve as examples to the congregation, and not use their place of leadership as a means to be domineering.

The chief Shepherd is Jesus Christ, and when he comes again he will reward with glory every pastor who has served faithfully.

4. Acts 14:23

And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. Read More

Paul’s churches followed the synagogue pattern of leadership by elders. It is significant that elders were appointed from the beginning for such young churches (cf. James 5:14, which dates to sometime between A.D. 40 and 50). The language here indicates a plurality of elders in every church (cf. also Acts 11:30; Acts 15:2, Acts 15:4, Acts 15: 6, Acts 15:22–23; Acts 16:4; Acts 20:17; Acts 21:18; 1 Tim. 5:17; Titus 1:5; 1 Pet. 5:1, 5).

5. 1 Timothy 5:17–19

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. Read More

rule. The role of elder (pastor) involves authority, particularly in preaching and teaching. Labor (Gk. kopiaō), translated “toil” in 1 Tim. 4:10, implies hard work that makes a person tired. Such exertion in “preaching and teaching” calls for double honor, which could include financial remuneration (1 Tim. 5:18). “Double” could imply ample provision, or financial provision in addition to proper respect. worthy. Paul does not actually require that pastors be paid a double amount, but Paul clearly indicates that pastors should receive generous remuneration.

6. James 3:1

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. Read More

Teachers were important in the early church (Acts 2:42; Rom. 12:7; 1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11), and those who were ambitious sought teacher status for the wrong reasons. However, with greater responsibility comes greater expectations by God (Luke 12:48; Heb. 13:17), and teachers will be judged with greater strictness (lit., “greater judgment”), since they are accountable for more.

7. Acts 20:28

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. Read More

Pay careful attention to yourselves. Spiritual leaders need first of all to guard their own spiritual and moral purity. the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. The last part of this phrase refers to the blood of Christ poured out in his atoning death on the cross (cf. Rom. 3:25; 5:9; Eph. 1:7; etc.). The reference to God in the first part of this phrase (“the church of God”) most likely is a reference to Christ as the head of the church and as “God the Son,” the second person of the Trinity. Alternatively, if God the Father is in view in the phrase “the church of God,” then “his own blood” is a reference to the blood of God’s “own,” that is, of “God’s own Son” (which would be a legitimate alternative reading of the Greek). (See also ESV footnote indicating that some Greek manuscripts read “the church of the Lord” rather than “the church of God.”)

8. James 5:14

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. Read More

Elders were pastors and overseers (cf. Acts 20:17, 28; Titus 1:5, 7; 1 Pet. 5:1–2), known for wisdom and maturity, who functioned as leaders in the churches. This provides evidence for a plurality of elders in all the churches to which James was writing, for he simply assumes a sick person could call for “the elders of the church.” Some think that anointing … with oil was medicinal or sacramental (as in Roman Catholic extreme unction at death), but it is best seen as a symbol representing the healing power of the Holy Spirit to come upon the sick person (cf. the use of “anointing” for symbolic consecration to God’s use and service, both in the OT [Ex. 28:41] and in the NT [Luke 4:18; Acts 4:27; 10:38; 2 Cor. 1:21; Heb. 1:9]). In the name of the Lord means it is God, not the oil, that heals.

9. Acts 6:1–4

Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” Read More

Essential to the work of the apostles was their devotion to prayer and to the ministry of the word. The burgeoning ministry of charity was distracting them from this calling. The Greek-speaking Hellenists from whom the seven were selected were better equipped to serve and communicate with the widows.

10. Hebrews 13:17

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. Read More

Obey, submit. These statements are stronger than the related comments about leaders in v. 7, for here submission to leaders is directly commanded. Such obedience will benefit those who submit, since their souls will be cared for and there will be harmony and joy in their mutual responsibilities. The leaders are also reminded that they will give an account to God.