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Verse Takeaways
1
One Office, Two Titles
Commentators unanimously point out that Paul uses "elder" (v. 5) and "bishop/overseer" (v. 7) interchangeably. Scholars explain that "elder" refers to the spiritual maturity and dignity of the person, while "bishop" describes the function of managing and caring for the church. In the early church context of this letter, these were not two separate offices but different ways of describing the same leadership role.
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Titus
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Commentaries
8
Albert Barnes
On Titus 1:7
18th Century
Theologian
For a bishop must be blameless (1 Timothy 3:2).
As the steward of God. See Barnes [Reference 1 Corinthians 4:1…
AT Robertson
On Titus 1:7
The bishop (τον επισκοπον). Same office as "elder" in 1:5. "Elder is the title, oversight is the function" (B. Weiss).
Charles Ellicott
On Titus 1:7
19th Century
Bishop
For a bishop must be blameless.—There is no doubt that the “bishop” here must be identified with the presbyter of Titus 1…
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Charles Spurgeon
On Titus 1:6–12
19th Century
Preacher
Having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry,…
Expositor's Bible Commentary
On Titus 1:7
The leader’s true position and personal qualifications are given in vv.7–9. The switch in v.7 from “elder” (GK 4565) to “overseers” (GK 2176) shows…
John Calvin
On Titus 1:7
16th Century
Theologian
For a bishop ought to be blameless, as a governor of the house of God. He again repeats that those who aspire to the office of a bishop ou…
John Gill
On Titus 1:7
17th Century
Pastor
For a bishop must be blameless
This shows that a bishop and an elder is the same; and the Syriac version here render…
Matthew Henry
On Titus 1:5–9
17th Century
Minister
The character and qualification of pastors, here called elders and bishops, agree with what the apostle wrote to Timothy. Being such bishops and ov…