Lectionary Calendar
Friday, June 6th, 2025
the Seventh Week after Easter
the Seventh Week after Easter
video advertismenet
advertisement
advertisement
advertisement
Attention!
For 10¢ a day you can enjoy StudyLight.org ads
free while helping to build churches and support pastors in Uganda.
Click here to learn more!
free while helping to build churches and support pastors in Uganda.
Click here to learn more!
Bible Dictionaries
Bishop
Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words
Resource Toolbox
Additional Links
lit., "an overseer" (epi, "over," skopeo, "to look or watch"), whence Eng. "bishop," which has precisely the same meaning, is found in Acts 20:28; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:7; 1 Peter 2:25 . See OVERSEER.
Note: Presbuteros, "an elder," is another term for the same person as bishop or overseer. See Acts 20:17 with verse Acts 20:28 . The term "elder" indicates the mature spiritual experience and understanding of those so described; the term "bishop," or "overseer," indicates the character of the work undertaken. According to the Divine will and appointment, as in the NT, there were to be "bishops" in every local church, Acts 14:23; 20:17; Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:5; James 5:14 . Where the singular is used, the passage is describing what a "bishop" should be, 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:7 . Christ Himself is spoken of as "the ... Bishop of our souls," 1 Peter 2:25 . See ELDER.besides its meaning, "visitation," e.g., 1 Peter 2:12 (cp. the Sept. of Exodus 3:16; Isaiah 10:3; Jeremiah 10:15 ), is rendered "office," in Acts 1:20 , RV (AV, "bishoprick"); in 1 Timothy 3:1 , "the office of a bishop," lit., "(if any one seeketh) overseership," there is no word representing office.
Note: The corresponding verb is episkopeo, which, in reference to the work of an overseer, is found in 1 Peter 5:2 , RV, "exercising the oversight," for AV "taking the oversight." See OVERSIGHT.Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
These files are public domain.
Bibliography Information
Vines, W. E., M. A. Entry for 'Bishop'. Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​ved/​b/bishop.html. 1940.
Vines, W. E., M. A. Entry for 'Bishop'. Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​ved/​b/bishop.html. 1940.