Stand Under
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, Titus 1:5 NASB
Appoint – There’s a lot of confusion concerning Paul’s instruction to Titus about elders. Maybe we can clear up some of it. First, let’s remember that Paul is writing as a rabbi to a specific assembly, one where Titus had some influence. Accordingly, this is not a universal proclamation of ecclesiastical law. Each assembly has to determine what is best. Paul does give some advice to Titus, not to the world.
Secondly, the Greek verb translated “appoint” is kathistemi, a verb made up of two words, kata (with a very wide range of meanings usually associated with physical location like down, against, beyond) and histemi (to stand, abide, appoint, bring, continue, establish, hold up, etc.). This is not the same as electing leaders. Paul’s advice to Titus is based on Titus’ relationship with God, the community and Paul. As a model of godly behavior, Paul expects Titus to designate certain people as elders. It is his responsibility to make sure there are overseers in the assembly.
While Paul does not specify any particular age of these overseers, it must be obvious that an elder is someone who has demonstrated godly character over a long period of time. Appointing an elder who has not experienced the ups and downs of life, the interplay of relationships and the victories and defeats of perseverance in the faith would be like naming someone as a surgeon who has only practiced on corpses. He might have the technical knowledge but he lacks the real life experience. So elders must be those who have lived their faith. Paul assumes that Titus knows such people in the assembly; that the quality of their lives is obvious to all. This is part of Paul’s instruction to set things in order. Since Titus seems to be the designated representative in the geographical area, Paul expects him to make these choices in all the cities where he has influence.
A great deal of ecclesiastical regulation has been created to specify the role of the elder, but since Paul’s primary audience were those in Jewish synagogues, it might be helpful to examine what an elder did in the Jewish assembly. The Greek is presbyteros, meaning “older.” In Jewish context, the term can be used for scholars, leaders, officials, tribal chieftains and recognized authorities in the community. In the context of the synagogue, these people function like the governing body of the Sanhedrin. They are responsible for governance of the assembly and for ensuring continuity in the community. In this context it is simply assumed that they will be the older members. Interestingly, Paul’s instruction to Titus to appoint these people is probably not an expectation that would surprise anyone. These people would already be recognized for their commitment and character. What Titus is to do is simply officially acknowledge their role.
The point here is that “elder” is not an office but rather a function. An elder exists because of who he or she is, not because he or she has been elevated to a title. Elders are recognized by their character and consistency. That means that anyone can be an elder. It’s just a matter of following faithfully over a long time. As an assembly grows, elders will emerge. In this letter, Paul asks Titus to officially recognize them, but I suspect that everyone already knew who they were simply because of the influence they already had. It’s a worthy goal we can all embrace. In the end, an elder is someone worthy of following.
Topical Index: appoint, elder, presbyteros, kathistemi, Titus 1:5
If experience is what we are limited to learning by, now, then in reality, only experienced people are fit to take responsibility (authority). Duh. Perhaps we can’t see the obvious because we don’t want to admit our limitation; i.e. experience. We must be ashamed of being chained to experience, for all false systems try in some way to ignore this fact. Attempting to establish form over function (um, that would be that experience) is the way of the world, I believe.
What if the form (office) was determined (defined) by the person who held it, and the person who held it was determined by what experience they had to bring to it? Nope, starting to squirm already!
Correction: upon reflection, I think I was still reacting like a Greek and focusing on just one END of the equation. Function is about contact with more than one point. It is not about the points themselves, per se. So I would like to back up and say that the official with his or her requisite experience would represent only part of the equation (function). Who that official was serving would comprise the other half. Every office, then, would be unique to those who comprised both the office as well as those the office stood to serve. That would also make a whole lot of the advice Paul was writing to specific communities more or less non-germane to the communities (including ours, for instance) that did not share those specific characteristics.
Function, then, would equal service (experience) as defined by the need it served. Wonder if there is an algebraic expression for that?
Yeah, 1plus 1 equals 1
“The point here is that “elder” is not an office but rather a function.”… thanks Skip
As I said before in Today’s Word “The Gideon We Forgot”:
“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” Ephesians 4:11-12
I think these are roles (functions)… but people turn them into titles (offices)…
Elder is an office. It is the head of a tribe or extended family.
The members support or dethrone such an individual.
In the hebrew world this structure was preset.
In the false greek world, it was amenable.