Biblical Eldership Church Leadership

Paul 's Letters to the Churches

0 Paul also speaks of the spiritual gift of leading: “And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let each exercise them accordingly. . .he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads [prohiste’mi], with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness” (Rom. 1226a,7b,8). Undoubtedly, some of the Thessalonians had the gift of leadership and were using it for the edification of the church. 0 Of special interest is the fact that Paul uses the same term to describe the elders’ work in 1 Timothy 5217: “Let the elders who rule well [prohistémi] be considered worthy of double honor.” In the context of 1 Thessalonians 5212,13, which addresses the congregation’s proper response to those who diligently labor at pro viding leadership, care, and instruction, prohistémi is best translated as: “those who take the lead among you in the Lord.” In its verbal form, lead describes what these brothers do; it is not used as a title. E.K. Simpson, a biblical commentator and specialist in Hellenistic Greek literature, refers to this term as being “expressive of superintendence.”8 Expositors who dispute Paul’s appointment of el ders normally render this verb as “care for” or “aid” in order to avoid any notion of a formal leadership role. Those who affirm that Paul appointed elders and was concerned about the appointment of elders, however, render this term as “take the lead” or “lead and care for.” The phrase, “in the Lord,” defines the elders’ unique sphere of lead ership—not in civil government, but in matters that pertain to the Lord and His people who are in spiritual union with Him and with one an other. The fact that the phrase “in the Lord” is added only to the term “have charge over” further suggests that leading is the sense in which Paul is using the term. These new believers must remember that some of their fellow members have authority over them in spiritual matters. Thus these leaders should be recognized and loved for their important work. And those who lead must not forget that their authority is “in the Lord.” Everything they do must be done in accordance with the Lord’s authority and in the Lord’s ways. The church is not their kingdom, and they are not lords over the people. In addition to leading the congregation, these brethren also work hard at instructing the church. “Instruction” translates the Greek word

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