Pastor John:
What is a Bishop, and what are his duties?
George
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Hi George.
Thanks for the question.
The word “bishop” is a Latinized form of the Greek word for “overseer”. A bishop’s responsibilities in the kingdom of God are implied in the title (to “oversee” the welfare of the flock of God), but they are not specifically enumerated in the New Testament. An associated word, “pastor”, by the way, is also a Latinized form of a Greek word that is usually translated “shepherd”. Though the Bible does not give a specific list of duties for either a bishop of a pastor, the duties of each are easily determined from the context of scripture. There is no biblical hierarchy attached to those two titles. In Christian tradition, however, “bishop” usually refers to one in a a higher rank than “pastor”, as I am sure you know.
In the King James Version, the word for “shepherd” is translated as “pastor” only once (Eph. 4:11). The other 17 times, it is translated as “shepherd”. The emphasis of that word is on feeding and caring for a flock, but there is also some significant authority attached. For example, when we are told that Jesus will “rule the nations with a rod of iron” (Rev. 2:27), the word is a verb form of the word, “shepherd”. In other words, Jesus will “shepherd” the nations with a rod of iron. The same word is used by Peter to tell elders of the faith to “feed the flock of God” (1Pet. 5:2). That word is the same verb form of “shepherd” that is in Revelation 2:27, which I just mentioned.
The word for “bishop” (“overseer”) is used in the New Testament only 5 times, and the underlying meaning is simply to “take care of” or “watch over”, which is what a shepherd does.
It may be that “pastor” (“shepherd”) is just a kind of bishop (“overseer”). I think of an apostle as an overseer of the household of God on earth, with “pastors” of specific congregations under them.
Hope that helps.
Pastor John