ἐπίσκοπος

From the study of 1 Peter 2:25

Range of meaning

"One who looks over" (epi, over + skopos, watcher). It means a watcher, guardian, protector, inspector or superintendent. It was used of gods who watch over oaths and people, of civic and financial officials, and of supervisors. The related verb episkeptomai means to look after, to visit, often with care.

Against the English

KJV's "Bishop" now suggests a senior church officer over a diocese. NIV, ESV and BSB say "Overseer"; NASB says "Guardian"; NLT says "Guardian." "Overseer" can sound like a supervisor of labour, which is especially awkward in a passage addressed partly to household slaves (2:18). "Guardian" catches the protective sense best.

How it drifted

The Latin Vulgate transliterated the word as episcopum. English "bishop" comes from that word (episcopus → Old English biscop). Tyndale and then KJV rendered this verse "Shepherd and Bishop", by which time "bishop" meant a ranked office in a developed hierarchy. That office arose after this letter. It is first clearly seen with Ignatius of Antioch, around AD 110.

Used elsewhere in the period

Homer, Iliad 22.255: the gods are the best "witnesses and overseers" (ἐπίσκοποι) of agreements. Job 20:29 (LXX) and Wisdom 1:6 call God the ἐπίσκοπος who sees the heart. Philo also uses it of God. Ezekiel 34:11 (LXX): God "will look after" (ἐπισκέψομαι) his sheep. In Acts 20:28 and Titus 1:5–7 episkopos overlaps with "elder." 1 Peter 5:2 tells elders to "shepherd the flock" and, in many manuscripts, to "oversee" it.

From the study of 1 Timothy 3:2

Range of meaning

An 'over-seer' (epi 'over' + skopos 'watcher'): someone who supervises, inspects, protects or manages. In ordinary Greek it could be a guardian deity, a civic official, an inspector sent by Athens to allied cities, or a financial or building supervisor in an association. The word names a function, not a rank in a hierarchy.

Against the English

KJV has 'bishop.' The English word comes from episkopos through Latin episcopus and Old English biscop, so it is etymologically correct. To a modern reader, though, 'bishop' means a senior cleric over many congregations in a region. BSB, ESV, NASB, NIV and WEB use 'overseer.' NLT uses 'church leader.'

How it drifted

Within a generation or two the office changed. By about AD 110 Ignatius of Antioch distinguishes one bishop per city from a body of presbyters (elders) and deacons. Later centuries added dioceses, ordination rites and apostolic succession. Reading 'bishop' here imports that later structure.

Used elsewhere in the period

The Septuagint (LXX, the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament) uses it for officers and overseers (e.g. Num 31:14; Judg 9:28; Neh 11:9) and of God as overseer (Job 20:29). In the NT: Acts 20:17, 28, where the Ephesian 'elders' are told the Spirit made them 'overseers' (in Ephesus, the same city as this letter); Phil 1:1, which has overseers in the plural; Titus 1:5–7, which moves from 'elders' to 'the overseer' with no change of subject; and 1 Pet 2:25, where Christ is 'shepherd and overseer.' Some compare the mebaqqer ('examiner/overseer') of the Dead Sea Scrolls' Damascus Document, but whether there is a direct link is debated.

From the study of Acts 20:28

Range of meaning

Someone who watches over, inspects or looks after something: a guardian, superintendent or supervisor. It comes from episkopeō, "to look upon, to look after". It names a function of care and responsibility more than a fixed title.

Against the English

The English word "bishop" actually comes from episkopos (through Latin episcopus and Old English biscop). The KJV says "overseers" here but "bishop" in 1 Timothy 3:1–2 and Titus 1:7. Modern versions say "overseers". NLT-style renderings use the more general word "leaders".

How it drifted

By about 110 AD, Ignatius of Antioch's letters show a single bishop presiding over the elders and deacons of each city. Later "bishop" came to mean a regional church official ranked above priests. Readers who carry that meaning back into Acts 20 picture something the verse does not describe.

Used elsewhere in the period

In classical Greek it is used for officials Athens sent to inspect subject cities, and for supervisors in associations. In the Greek Old Testament it is used for army officers and supervisors (Num 31:14; Judg 9:28; Neh 11:9), and of God as the one who watches the heart (Wisdom 1:6). In Ezekiel 34:11 (Greek), God promises to "seek out my sheep and look after (episkepsomai) them". This is the same root, in a shepherd passage. In the New Testament, 1 Peter 2:25 calls Christ "shepherd and overseer (episkopos) of your souls", and 1 Peter 5:1–2 tells elders to "shepherd" the flock, "overseeing" it. Titus 1:5–7 also uses "elder" and "overseer" for the same people. 1 Clement (c. 96 AD) still uses the two terms interchangeably.