Overseer's are those who have been appointed by the church for spiritual oversight

[ChristisGod]

episkopos: a superintendent, an overseer
Original Word: ἐπίσκοπος, ου, ὁ
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: episkopos
Phonetic Spelling: (ep-is'-kop-os)
Definition: a superintendent, an overseer
Usage: (used as an official title in civil life), overseer, supervisor, ruler, especially used with reference to the supervising function exercised by an elder or presbyter of a church or congregation.

HELPS Word-studies
1985 epískopos (a masculine noun, derived from 1909 /epí, "on/fitting contact," which intensifies 4649 /skopós, "look intently," like at an end-marker concluding a race) – properly, an overseer; a man called by God to literally "keep an eye on" His flock (the Church, the body of Christ), i.e. to provide personalized (first hand) care and protection (note the epi, "on").

"Though in some contexts 1985 (epískopos) has been regarded traditionally as a position of authority, in reality the focus is upon the responsibility for caring for others" (L & N, 1, 35.40).

Acts 20:28 N-AMP
GRK: ἅγιον ἔθετο ἐπισκόπους ποιμαίνειν τὴν
NAS: has made you overseers, to shepherd
KJV: you overseers, to feed
INT: Holy did set overseers to shepherd the
Philippians 1:1 N-DMP
GRK: Φιλίπποις σὺν ἐπισκόποις καὶ διακόνοις
NAS: including the overseers and deacons:
KJV: with the bishops and
INT: Philippi with [the] overseers and deacons

1 Timothy 3:2 N-AMS
GRK: οὖν τὸν ἐπίσκοπον ἀνεπίλημπτον εἶναι
NAS: An overseer, then, must
KJV: A bishop then must
INT: then the overseer blameless to be

Titus 1:7 N-AMS
GRK: γὰρ τὸν ἐπίσκοπον ἀνέγκλητον εἶναι
NAS: For the overseer must
KJV: For a bishop must be
INT: indeed the overseer blameless to be

1 Peter 2:25 N-AMS
GRK: ποιμένα καὶ ἐπίσκοπον τῶν ψυχῶν
NAS: to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.
KJV: the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
INT: shepherd and overseer of the souls

hope this helps !!!

 

[ChristisGod]

In the Bible, the terms overseer, bishop, and elder all refer to the same position in the church. Different English translations of the Bible use alternate terms to describe this leadership position in 1 Timothy 3:1. The New International Version and English Standard Version use overseer, while the King James Version uses bishop, and the New Living Translation merely translates the Greek term as “church leader.” The Greek word is episcope and comes from a root word that means “to inspect” and by implication “to look out or look after.” The overseer is tasked with looking out for the church.

Only two church offices are mentioned in Scripture: that of overseer (bishop or elder) and that of deacon (1 Timothy 3:8; Philippians 1:1). The office of overseer in the church is that of the pastor(s) and elders, who are the spiritual leaders or shepherds of the congregation (Acts 20:28).

Not just anyone can assume the role of overseer in the church. Specific qualifications for overseers are provided in 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:5–9. The position is reserved for men. First Timothy 3:2 specifically says that the overseer is to be “faithful to his wife.” This assumes he is a man. Elsewhere in Scripture we see that God has instituted an authority structure within the church, wherein the primary leadership position of maintaining doctrinal integrity and providing spiritual shepherding to the congregation is to be held by a man. See, for example, 1 Timothy 2:11–14. This is merely a matter of role or function, not one of value or importance. Women are made in the image of God just like men (Genesis 1:27). Women come to Christ the same way men do (Galatians 3:26–29). Women are of equal worth with men. In fact, Peter tells husbands to be considerate of their wives “as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life” (1 Peter 3:7). So, it is not a matter of value but one of orderliness, based on the order of creation (1 Timothy 2:15). God has organized His church in such a way that a male is to assume the primary position of spiritual teaching authority.

However, not every man will be qualified for the position of overseer in a church. In fact, relatively few may be. To be an overseer or elder is a “noble task” (1 Timothy 3:1) and a weighty responsibility (James 3:1). Below are some of the specific qualifications for an overseer in the church, based on 1 Timothy 3:2–7 and Titus 1:6–9:

1. Above reproach and blameless (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6).
2. The husband of one wife, i.e., faithful to his wife (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6).
3. Temperate (1 Timothy 3:2).
4. Self-controlled (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8).
5. Respectable (1 Timothy 3:2).
6. Hospitable (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8).
7. Able to teach (1 Timothy 3:2).
8. Holding firmly to Scripture so as to encourage others and refute false doctrine (Titus 1:9).
9. Not given to drunkenness (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7).
10. A gentle man not given to violence (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7).
11. Not quarrelsome or eager to start a fight (1 Timothy 3:3).
12. Not greedy or a “lover of money” (1 Timothy 3:3).
13. Not seeking after dishonest gain (Titus 1:7).
14. A good manager of his own family, whose children obey him (1 Timothy 3:4–5; Titus 1:6).
15. Not a new believer (1 Timothy 3:6).
16. Having a good reputation with outsiders (1 Timothy 3:7).
17. A lover of good, who acts in a way that is upright, holy, and disciplined (Titus 1:8).

Overseers are given the serious task of overseeing the flock that has been entrusted to them. Peter instructed fellow elders to “be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:2–3).

Those in the leadership position of overseer should follow the example of Jesus, who “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). Leadership, according to the Bible, is not about puffing oneself up or lording power over others, but rather about serving those who have been entrusted to one’s care (Matthew 20:26; Mark 10:43). The overseer who humbles himself as a servant will be rewarded by Christ at His return (Matthew 23:12; 1 Peter 5:4).

To summarize, the role of overseer is a leadership position in the church, tasked with the care of the congregation. Women cannot occupy the position of overseer, since the role requires teaching and having spiritual authority over men. There are many biblical qualifications a man who desires to be an overseer/pastor/elder must meet. An overseer’s duties involve proper teaching and handling of Scripture, maintaining a good Christian witness, and being a good example to his family and congregation. Biblically, being in the leadership role of a pastor requires humility and a heart of servanthood. got ?

hope this helps !!!

 

[ChristisGod]

Notice overseers/elders " episkopos" in the Greek are never " self- appointed". The Biblical directive below for the church. They are not voted in but appointed. @Episkopos

Acts 14:23
Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

Titus 1:5
On account of this I left you in Crete, that you might set in order the things lacking and might appoint elders in every town, as I directed you,

hope this helps !!!

 

[ChristisGod]

Qualifications for an overseer,elder, @Episkopos

man who is married
children who are believers and not disobedient
temperate
respectful
hospitable
humble
kind
gentle
peaceful
good reputation
blameless
loves good
self control
disciplined
not over bearing
not quick tempered/angry
encourages others
not proud
humble
not lording things over others


1 Tim 3:1-7
It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. 2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. 4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity 5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), 6 and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. 7 And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Titus 1:5-9
5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. 6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7 Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless — not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8 Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.


1 Peter 5:1-5
Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble

hope this helps !!!