The Work of Elders
Elders are men who should be seasoned with spiritual maturity and possess a measure of wisdom; such is suggested by this designation and the qualifications. Notice that there were no women in this leadership role. Of all groups, the "Presbyterians" have females they call elders. Are they the husband of one wife? Someone said recently that a girl of about 16 was a Presbyterian elder; only two things are wrong with this notion—gender and age. Two teenage Mormon "elders" were asked how they could call themselves elders when they do not meet even the age qualification. They said they had a revelation that the qualifications had been changed. The term elder is selected for a reason, but some have made a mockery of God's plan.
Episkopos is closer to a transliteration than a translation. The word came into Middle English as biscop; gradually the c softened to an sh, and it became bishop. Literally, it means to "look over," or "to oversee." Generally, we view this word as being overseers of the work of the church, but it might include the overseeing of souls, also (Heb. 13:17). They must be able to resolve problems (Acts 6, 15).
Poimeen has no English equivalent, but when translated into the Latin, it was pastor, meaning "shepherd." This designation refers to feeding, leading, and taking care of the flock (Psalm 23). Just as a literal shepherd provides the proper care for his flock, so does Jesus as the chief shepherd, through the shepherds of His flock, the church (John 10:11-16; Heb. 13:20; 1 Peter 2:25; 5:4). Elders exercise pastoral care (James 5:14-15).
Although elders are not to lord it over the flock, they do have authority (Heb. 13:7, 17). Elders have the grave responsibility to watch for the souls of the sheep, and in turn the flock has obligations toward the elders.
They are "to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake" (1 Thess. 5:12-13). Since their goal is to lead and preserve every soul that is part of the flock, they need everyone's cooperation. In fact, members are expected to be obedient to them (Heb. 13:17). The strongest congregations are those in which this loving and respectful relationship exists.