The elders that rule.
In the case of Bishop it’s an office (3:1 ) and Deacon it’s an office (3:10) but not so with elder. Could this just be older men who teach the word and doctrine? (5:17)
Now in Paul’s epistle to Titus he says to ORDAIN ELDERS. To ordain simply means to set apart (for the purpose suggested in Timothy). It does not appear that the elder is a Bishop (pastor) or Deacon (both offices in the church).
Titus 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
Elders were to have standards to be ordained.
Titus 1:6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
Titus 1:7-9 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
However, If we put TITUS 1:5-9 all together it would appear that ELDER in verse 5 should have been better translated BISHOP. Leaving the only offices in a Church (according to Paul) would be BISHOP (Pastor) and DEACONS.
This use of elder probably refers to an older man, not a pastor.
1 Timothy 5:1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;
As with this instruction, elder refers to older women, not an office.
1 Timothy 5:2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.
Acts 1:20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.
Psalm 69:25 Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents.
Psalm 109:8 Let his days be few; and let another take his office.
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