Are the Scripture passages we have discussed
depicting consensual, interactive assemblies and the
responsibilities of every believer prescriptive for us to
follow or simply descriptive of a time and place far
away? Are they a mandate to be obeyed or are we
reading too much into the passages? Ultimately each
one of us must decide but Paul’s warning from I
Corinthians and Colossians is that our relationship
with Christ is at stake.
I submit that in the very context of warning the
Corinthians about following leaders Paul calls them to
follow his example exalting Christ and encouraging
one another as unpaid, unpolished participators in the
assembly.
Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me. I Corinthians
4:16.
This is not an isolated teaching from Paul. On
numerous occasions with apostolic authority he
commanded us to follow his example as well as the
model he gave for assembling as Christ’s body.
Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ. I Corinthians
11:1
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...hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to
you. I Corinthians 11:2
But if one is inclined to be contentious, we have no other
practice, nor have the churches of God. I Corinthians 11:16
Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those
who walk according to the pattern you have in us...
Philippians 3:17
The things you have learned and received and heard and seen
in me, practice these things. Philippians 4:9.
...hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by
word of mouth or by letter from us. II Thessalonians 2:15.
you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example...
II Thessalonians 3:7.
nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with
labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we
would not be a burden to any of you; not because we do not
have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a
model for you, so that you would follow our example. II
Thessalonians 3:8, 9.
There is no reason for us to be hesitant or timid in
following Paul’s teaching except a lack of faith in our
Father’s trustworthiness. It is clear that Paul taught
with Christ’s Spirit and we know that our Savior has
our best in store. Even though I am lacking necessary
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persuasive words, I confidently end with Christ’s own
appeal knowing that His Word and Spirit are effectual
to those that love Him.
Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, for I am
gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your
souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30.
Jesus made His appeal in the context of praising our
Father for hiding His character and purpose from the
wise and intelligent in Matthew 11:25. Should we be
relying on the wise and intelligent to rule and teach us
when the Word and His fellowship are waiting?
Matthew 25:21 reminds us of the reward for following
Christ. Well done, good and faithful slave. You were
faithful with a few things...enter into the joy of your master.
Whether we call ourselves leaders or followers what is
the danger of not following apostolic teaching on the
role of elders?
The danger of not glorifying and enjoying Christ.
The Corinthian believers were avid in their theology.
They were seeking solid food. Yet Paul spent four
chapters of Holy Writ warning them not to lift up very
godly men. In comparison he only portioned one small
chapter, chapter five, to the lack of church discipline in
the case of a believer’s boasted incest.
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Paul struggled in his fear that those in Colossae were
following teachers and authorities and thereby were
being defrauded of the prize in Colossians 2:18.
Have you listened to sermons, compared teachings,
become very discerning, but wonder if there is more of
Christ and body life to enjoy? Have you been faithful
for scheduled meetings, contributed to church
programs, followed regimen for memorization of
Scripture and catechism, but do not enjoy a deep
relationship with many members of your church?
Perhaps you, like many of us, are a Corinthian or
Colossian and we need to get back to Christ.
The Corinthians were distracted from Christ toward
teachers and the Colossians turned from Christ to
ecclesiastical authorities after Peter, Paul and Apollos
had pointed them to our Savior. Therefore we should
not be so naïve to think that after repositioning the role
of elders to follow Paul’s commands that assemblies
would not have problems.
But what if...
Appendix A
Appointment of Elders
Why would elders have been ‘appointed’ if they were
not primarily teachers or if they were not to hold an
ecclesiastical office? Titus 1:5 For this reason I left you in
Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint
elders in every city as I directed you.
Although Greek word #2525, kathistemi, is used in some
manuscripts the Greek word translated ‘appoint’ in
Titus 1:5 in Interlinear NIV Parallel New Testament
and Greek to English Interlinear of the New King
James Version New Testament is Greek word #2688
katastema with the general meaning of demeanor, not
appoint. It can also mean the state, condition or mien.
By translating the text according to the Greek general
meanings we read, For this reason I left you in Crete, in
order that you determine the condition of the elders and put
in order anything lacking.
This definition is obtained by locating the Greek word
in the interlinear translations and reading the general
meanings in New Analytical Greek Lexicon.
The other instance of the word appointment in the
New Testament is in Acts 14:23 when another Greek
word, #5500, cheirotoneo, may be translated as ‘laying
on of hands’ or ‘extending of hands,’ as in a vote, but
does not imply an ecclesiastical office.
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When they had appointed (layed hands on) elders for them
in every church, having prayed with fasting, they
commended them to the Lord...
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Appendix B
Other Scripture Passages that Speak
to the Issue of Gain by Elders
Christ told us how to use money without mention of
church staffs and buildings. It is not that we should
never spend resources on these, but our first priority is
to follow His teaching. As we seek a relationship with
Him we should not spend on what we think best
before spending on what He said and in the way He
said. By giving in the manner He commanded we will
show our trust in Him.
Perhaps these verses will be helpful as you consider
New Testament teaching on giving to elders.
...as you go, preach,... freely you received, freely give.
Matthew 10:7-8.
He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the
owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep
and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He
flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about
the sheep. John 10:12-13.
...just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my
own profit but the profit of the many. I Corinthians 10:33.
...for we are not like many, peddling the word of God. II
Corinthians 2:17.
...I will not be a burden to you for I do not seek what is
yours, but you; for children are not responsible to save up for
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their parents, but parents for their children. I will most
gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you
more, am I to be loved less? ... Certainly I have not taken
advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to
you, have I? I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with
him. Titus did not take any advantage of you, did he? II
Corinthians 12:14-18.
...for we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor
with a pretext for greed, God is witness....even though as
apostles of Christ we might have asserted our
authority....For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship,
how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of
you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. I
Thessalonians 2:5-9.
...make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to
your own business and work with your hands, just as we
commanded you, so that you will behave properly toward
outsiders and not be in any need. I Thessalonians 4:11-12.
In II Thessalonians 3:6-15 Paul told the Thessalonians
to remember how he preached, taught, shepherded
and worked to pay his own way. He then told them to
follow his example. If anyone did not follow his
example then they were to be admonished as a brother.
...who suppose that godliness is a means of gain but
godliness actually is a means of great gain when
accompanied by contentment. I Timothy 6:5-6.
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...the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not
self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not
pugnacious, not fond of sordid (vile) gain. Titus 1:7.
...who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole
families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of
sordid (vile) gain. Titus 1:11.
...and in their greed they will exploit you with false words...
II Peter 2:3.
...having a heart trained in greed... II Peter 2:14.
...the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of
unrighteousness... II Peter 2:15.
...these are springs without water... II Peter 2:17.
...for pay they have rushed headlong into the error of
Balaam... Jude 11.
...clouds without water...autumn trees without fruit...
Jude 12.
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Appendix C
Scriptural Examples of Missionary Support
Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way
so that nothing is lacking for them. Our people must also
learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that
they will not be unfruitful. Titus 3:13-14.
...you will do well to send them on their way in a manner
worthy of God. For they went out for the sake of the Name,
accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to
support such men... III John 6b-8.
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Appendix D
Greek Word hegeomai Translated as Leader
In Hebrews 13 a plural form of Greek word #2233,
hegeomai, is written in three different cases (accusative,
dative, and genitive). It is important that the role we
envision for non-Christian leaders does not cause us to
misinterpret and thereby apply hegeomai in a manner
which contradicts the totality of New Testament
teaching regarding Christian elders or leaders.
...remember those who led you ... Hebrews 13:7.
...obey your leaders... Hebrews 13:17.
...greet your leaders ... Hebrews 13:24.
We have already discussed the Greek word for obey in
Hebrews 13:17 and shown that this word should
actually be translated as trust and should not be
interpreted as a military command to obey unlike the
Greek word, for instance, used when children are
instructed to obey in Ephesians 6:1. This is important
because scholars often and appropriately translate a
passage contingent on the context presupposing how
we should respond to an elder.
If we choose to use the definition of hegeomai to
understand the role of elders or leaders, then we have
two choices.
First as chronologically leading:
Hegeomai is defined as to lead, go before, go first, or
lead the way. The first question is whether this
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leading, going before, being first or leading the way
should be interpreted appositionally, as in leading
from a podium, or chronologically.
Used in a chronological sense Paul or the writer of
Hebrews would be speaking of those who have known
Christ a longer time than more recent converts. This
definition is encouraged by the text itself in Hebrews
13:7, remember those who led you, who spoke the word of
God to you; and considering the result of their conduct,
imitate their faith. We can see from this verse that those
who led had gone before the readers chronologically
because the text reads, ...led, ...remember those, ...spoke,
...the result of their conduct..., all indicating past tense
actions. This definition would also be synonymous
with the Greek word definition of an elder as an older
man or the contextual definition of an elder as a man
older in the faith.
Second as leading from a positional or presiding role:
The definition of hegeomai to lead, go before, go first, or
lead the way could be translated as a positional or
presiding role. It is important that if we choose to base
our understanding of an elder’s role upon this Greek
word definition of hegeomai, then the role should not be
understood in a manner which would contradict Paul’s
instruction to the Corinthians or Colossians. In other
words, leadership as such should encourage assembly
participation as well as consensus governance. Thus
the duty of elders should include discouraging
traditional leadership roles of a dominate teacher or a
governing position in the assembly.
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In addition to using a lexicon’s definition to determine
the role of hegeomai, we could also utilize the
interpretation principle of allowing Scripture to
interpret Scripture. In this case we would have three
available passages for insight.
And you, Bethlehem, Land of Judah, are by no means least
among the leaders (hegeomai) of Judah; for out of you shall
come forth a Ruler... Mathew 2:6.
...And they began calling Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul,
Hermes, because he was the chief (hegeomai) speaker. Acts
14:12.
...and he made him (Joseph) governor (hegeomai) over
Egypt and all his household. Acts 7:10.
In the case of Joseph’s role in Acts 7:10 we should not
be influenced in any direction by the translation of epi
as over. Epi is used nearly 200 times in the New
Testament (often as on, in or of) and was translated as
the preposition over in only five cases. Also the fact
that Joseph’s household was in the same position as
Joseph in or over Egypt brings more questions as to the
exact role being referenced in this verse.
However a higher hermeneutic principle than using
Greek word definitions or allowing Scripture to
interpret Scripture is to simply follow the clear
instruction of Christ. Consider how our Creator
defines hegeomai in Luke 22:25, 26:
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And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over
them; and those who have authority over them are called
'Benefactors.' But it is not this way with you, but the one
who is the greatest among you must become like the
youngest, and the leader (hegeomai) like the servant. For who
is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who
serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am
among you as the one who serves.”
Younger children offer assistance, encouragement and
even gentle rebukes but they do not presume to teach
over nor exercise authority over adults in their family.
We have a choice as to how we apply hegeomai in non-
Christian roles. But for Christian leadership roles in
the assembly of believers who are following Christ and
His Word we really do not have a choice. Thanks to all
of you who serve us and Him in this manner.
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