Overseers

In the OT a variety of supervisory roles are mentioned. In the NT “overseers” (traditionally translated “bishops”) describes the role of local church leaders.

Overseers in the OT

In secular life

Exodus 5:6; Ruth 2:5–6; 1 Kings 5:16; 2 Chronicles 2:2; Nehemiah 3:5; Proverbs 6:6–7

In religious life

Numbers 8:22; 1 Chronicles 25:2; 2 Chronicles 23:18; Ezra 3:9; Nehemiah 11:11; Jeremiah 20:1

Overseers in the NT

In secular life

Matthew 20:8

In the church

Philippians 1:1 A title for local church leaders.

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:

The role of local church ``elders''

Acts 20:28 Here, as elsewhere in the NT, “elders” and “overseers” are virtually synonymous. See also 1 Peter 5:1–4

Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.

Their qualifications

1 Timothy 3:1–7 See also Titus 1:7

This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task. An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money. An overseer must manage his own household well and keep his children under control, with complete dignity. For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for the church of God? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same condemnation as the devil. Furthermore, he must have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the snare of the devil.

A title of Jesus Christ

1 Peter 2:25

For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.