Friday 6 September 2024

Corinthian Elders Chapter 11 Should we follow Paul's Model For Elders?

 


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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